The carbon dioxide calculator
How much carbon dioxide (CO2e) could you avoid releasing by replacing your current material with PaperShell?
The calculation is based on the amount of material needed to achieve the same strength as the material replaced and connected to the values of our Life Cycle Analysis carried out by third party experts (our LCA can be downloaded from the Sustainability page). The material thickness for the calculator is based on a material with a 4mm thickness as described in the LCA report.
This is of course a general tool and we can make precise calculations on Your specific component, its usage and lifespan if we engage in a mutual project. For more info get in contact with us.
Glass Fiber (GFRP)
Fiberglass is a versatile material due to its lightweight, inherent strength, and weather resistance. Manufacturing of fibers uses large furnaces to melt silica sand, limestone, kaolin clay, fluorspar, colemanite, dolomite, and other minerals and is very energy intensive. The binders needed such as epoxy or PET resins are fossil based and hazardous flame retardants are frequently added. Recycling solutions for glass fiber reinforced thermoset composites (GFRP) are rare or non-existent in most regions.
Why use PaperShell?
By switching to PaperShell you avoid adding nearly 40 times (3 754 %) as much CO2 into the atmosphere, you don’t need flame retardants and your product will be sorted as wood.
Metal (Aluminium)
Aluminum is a strong and lightweight metal which is good for recycling. However, it requires a lot of energy to extract from Bauxite ore. To produce pure aluminum, 3 – 4 times more energy is required compared to producing iron. Huge amounts of both fossil fuel and electricity are used. The extraction is mostly in Australia, China, and South America. However, it takes 20 times less energy to recycle than to produce so keep this material in the loop!
Why use PaperShell?
PaperShell has approximately half the strength but also half the weight, ie a component made of press moulded aluminium sheet of 1.5 mm weighs roughly the same as 3 mm PaperShell with the same strength. It will be cheaper and by switching to PaperShell you avoid adding 30 times (2 903 %) as much CO2 into the atmosphere, you have a renewable and controlled resource from EU and your product will be sorted as wood.
Plastics (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most common and classic “thermoplastics” that can be reheated and recycled again without significant degradation. Unfortunately, many plastics are contaminated with additives and flame retardants, lost and/or burnt, and only about 42% av all plastics in the EU are recycled. PP is recycled to a much lesser extent. Plastics like PP are 100% fossil based and will release their fossil carbon in the atmosphere end of life, regardless of how many times it is recycled.
Why use PaperShell?
PaperShell has 0,00% fossil carbon inside. By switching to PaperShell you avoid adding 7,5 times (662 %) as much CO2 into the atmosphere. There is no need for flame retardants and you are moving away from a fossil based resource. Unlike fossil based plastics PaperShell material will biodegrade in nature if lost.
Wood (Veneer)
Veneer refers to thin slices of wood usually thinner than 3 mm that typically are glued together or mounted onto panels to produce flat or single curved panels for furniture, doors, flooring, etc. Apart from fossil based glues pressed moulded veneer components are free of fossil based carbons.
Why use PaperShell?
By switching to PaperShell you avoid adding 1,5 times (68 %) as much CO2 into the atmosphere because the less need for resources, production efficiency is higher and the waste is lower. The source is EU (Scandinavia) and your product will still be sorted as wood. With higher design freedom (geometry, surface detail, etc). Much more moist resistant, flame retardant, and outdoor resilient.
A positive change
PaperShell is committed to enabling the quest for a collective future by replacing components with a completely bio-based and fossil carbon free alternative. On top of that, you don’t need flame retardants, if you like our unique natural look – no need for paints or coatings. You get the strength, the weight reduction, the moist resistance, worker safety, the wood recycling, and the design freedom, without compromising on ecological sustainability. Together with you, through your products, we communicate and act as catalysts proving that a circular bio based economy is possible and together we strive to do even better, trimming sustainability even further!