The LCA inventory calculations include s.c. mass change factors, which describe the gains and losses of
process material flows.
The life-cycle inventory calculations were made for different bed-linen and terry-towel materials and for fibre
production processes. Fabric life time potential and the number of sheets and towels, reserved for one hotel
bed, were accounted into the inventory calculations.
The inventory calculations include energy production and consumption, chemical consumption and
emissions to air and water. The emissions to air were based on energy consumption and production only.
The emissions to water were based on waste-water analyses of the studied processes.
The inventory calculations for fibres showed that the production of cotton fibres consumes about 40% less
energy than the production of polyester fibres, even if feedstock values of non-renewable resources, such as
crude oil and natural gas used as polyester raw-materials, are included in the energy consumption. Cotton
cultivation requires fossil fuel for agricultural machines, irrigation, ginning and baling as well as on the
average huge amounts of water for irrigation. The energy consumption within the production of organic
cotton, such as “Green Cotton" was reported to be at the same level as within the production of traditional
cotton, even if pesticides and fertilizers are not used (Table 5.3)
There were no significant differences in energy and resource consumption between 100% CO and 50/50
CO/PES fabric production since both materials were manufactured in the same continuous wet-processes.
Material losses, however, in cotton spinning are almost 20% compared to the 2-3% in polyester spinning,
mainly due to the better fibre length eveness of polyester fibres.