AN ANALYTICAL STUDY ON THE PRODUCT CARBON FOOTPRINT ASSESSMENT BASED ON LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT APPROACH FIR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES: A CASE STUDY OF CONCENTRATED CAR WASH PRODUCTS IN A CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN SAMUT PRAKAN PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the primary sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from concentrated car wash products manufactured by Standard Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and to propose appropriate, sustainable strategies for reducing these emissions. The assessment employs a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework within a Business-to-Consumer (B2C) system, providing foundational data for analyzing and mitigating GHG emissions across the entire supply chain. The process is divided into five key stages: raw material acquisition, production, product distribution, consumer use, and end-of-life waste management. Results indicate that the consumer use stage contributes the highest GHG emissions at 81.4% of the total, followed by raw material acquisition (15.75%), waste management (1.23%), distribution (1.08%), and production (0.53%). Reduction strategies encompass all life cycle phases: adopting recycled or biodegradable packaging materials; prioritizing domestic raw materials and environmentally certified suppliers; enhancing production efficiency through high-efficiency motors, renewable energy systems, and Lean Manufacturing principles; optimizing logistics via route planning, consolidated delivery schedules, and clean-energy vehicles; designing energy- and water-efficient products, promoting Reuse/Refill programs, and providing sustainable usage guidelines; implementing the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) for waste management, developing packaging return initiatives, and partnering with certified waste disposal facilities. Additionally, corporate carbon management plans, employee and supplier training, and regular Carbon Footprint of Product (CFP)/Carbon Footprint Organization (CFO) reporting foster continuous improvement aligned with Net Zero goals. The integration of LCA and targeted GHG reduction measures across the supply chain is essential for enhancing product sustainability and effectively minimizing environmental impacts.