TECH-FAB Europe, the association for European technical textiles producers, has published a life cycle assessment (LCA) study on glass fibre fabrics. This publication, an industry first, clearly highlights the environmental benefits of building a strong European supply chain for these products. A robust European glass fibre supply chain is essential to enable European manufacturers to create sustainable composite solutions for numerous markets.

The new report, Life cycle assessment of glass fibre fabrics, was produced as part of a TECHFAB Europe project to develop association-level LCAs of key technical textiles products. The cradle-to-gate analysis was performed by PwC. TECH-FAB Europe’s members represent approximately 95% of the European production of glass fibre fabrics.

3 Key Findings:

1. From raw material extraction to the factory gate, producing 1 kg of glass fibre fabric in Europe generates, on average, greenhouse gas emissions of 2.21 kg of CO2eq and a primary energy demand of 39 MJ.

2. The majority of the impact is driven by the production of glass fibre, which accounts for 89% of the carbon footprint of the final product.

3. European manufacturers of composite solutions can significantly reduce their environmental impacts by using glass fibre fabrics produced in Europe.