Unilever and the China Research Institute of Daily Chemical Industry Release White Paper on Laundry Carbon Footprint, Decoding Pathways to Carbon Reduction

GuangzhouApril 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During the 2026 China Surfactant Industry Conference, Unilever, in collaboration with the China Research Institute of Daily Chemical Industry, officially released the White Paper on Carbon Footprint of Fabric Cleaning Products (hereinafter referred to as the “White Paper”). Against the backdrop of the continuously improving national “1+N” policy system for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, this White Paper is the first industry-level research achievement in China that takes national standard laundry powder and laundry liquid as research objects, systematically conducts carbon footprint quantification calculations and emission reduction potential identification through internationally accepted life cycle assessment methods, helping to clarify key sources of carbon emissions in China’s detergent industry and outline corresponding low-carbon action pathways.

Building a Systematic Low-Carbon Transformation Framework for the Detergent Industry Based on the White Paper

As high-frequency consumer goods for daily life, detergents are closely related to the daily lives of millions of households. However, the carbon emission impacts generated during their production, use, and disposal have long lacked systematic research. Against the backdrop of the “dual carbon” goals, identifying carbon emission sources throughout the entire life cycle of detergent products in a scientific and quantifiable manner has become a key foundation for the industry to advance effective emission reductions.

The accounting scope of this White Paper fully includes key stages such as raw material production and transportation, product manufacturing and transportation, consumer use, and waste disposal. Research results show that when the consumer use stage is not included, carbon emissions from the production and degradation of raw materials for fabric cleaning products account for over 90%; when the use stage is included, water and electricity consumption during the washing process becomes a key factor affecting the overall carbon footprint. This study, for the first time using industry-scale data, clearly reveals that reducing carbon emissions from detergents cannot focus solely on the manufacturing stage but must consider broader dimensions such as the application of low-carbon raw materials, green industry chain collaboration, and energy-saving washing behaviors by consumers.

“The release of the White Paper is not only a presentation of research results but also an important step for China’s detergent industry towards scientific carbon reduction and systematic transformation,” said Geng Tao, President of the China Research Institute of Daily Chemical Industry, in his speech. He stated that the low-carbon transformation of the detergent industry must be based on scientific analysis of the entire life cycle, and deep-level carbon reduction is highly dependent on the low-carbon upgrade of upstream basic industries. He pointed out that only by promoting more enterprises to incorporate life cycle methods into their R&D and decision-making systems, fostering upstream and downstream collaborative emission reductions, and accelerating the construction of a green and low-carbon closed loop, can the low-carbon development of the detergent industry be truly promoted and its international competitiveness enhanced.

Driving a New Normal of Sustainable Washing with “Bright Future”

As one of the initiators of the White Paper, Unilever has launched a systematic strategy for its home care category centered on “Bright Future”, adhering to the principle of balancing “superior performance, value for money, and low-carbon circularity”, aiming to make sustainable home care products with low-carbon and circular attributes a daily choice for more consumers without compromising cleaning effectiveness and product experience.

Shen Jun, Vice President of Unilever China R&D Center, stated in his speech: “The White Paper clarifies actionable directions for low-carbon transformation around each stage of the detergent life cycle. It not only further validates the action priorities of Unilever’s ‘Bright Future’ strategy—reducing reliance on fossil raw materials and promoting the large-scale application of green technologies in products—but also strengthens our belief in the long-term value of this strategy. Taking this as an opportunity, we will further strengthen innovation and collaboration, working with industry partners and consumers to transform low-carbon washing from a concept into daily practice, driving the industry forward continuously.”

At the press conference, Unilever also shared its global practical experience under the theme “The Washing Revolution Towards Net Zero: Unilever’s Strategic Practices in Detergent Carbon Emission Reduction.”

Ian Howell, Global Science and Technology R&D Director at Unilever, analyzed the guiding value of the White Paper for R&D from the perspective of Unilever’s research work. He said: “Addressing the climate impact of laundry products must start with the overall product design, focusing on the key nodes with the highest emissions. Our global innovation priorities include lower-carbon raw material solutions, advanced formulations better suited for quick and low-temperature washing, and technological pathways that achieve efficient cleaning with less water and electricity. Science and data point us in the right direction, but scaling innovation effectively is the core of achieving long-term emission reduction results.”

These R&D concepts have driven the launch of a series of innovative products in the Chinese market: Omo Quick Wash Laundry Liquid can clean clothes in a 15-minute low-temperature machine wash cycle, helping consumers reduce water and electricity consumption during the use phase; on the raw material side, plant-based ingredients account for over 90% of the formula in Comfort Natural Botanical Scent Boosters, balancing fragrance experience and environmental impact; Omo 5-Star Essential Oil Scented Laundry Liquid uses plant-based fabric care technology for long-lasting fragrance and fabric protection; on the packaging side, multiple products like Omo and Comfort use recyclable plastic packaging and incorporate recycled plastic components.

Rupert Posner, Global Director of Sustainable Advocacy at Unilever, stated: “From Unilever’s global experience, most greenhouse gas emissions from laundry products are concentrated in the raw material acquisition and consumer use stages. This means emission reduction cannot be achieved through a single measure. Unilever therefore advocates for a systematic transformation pathway and collaborates with partners across the industry chain and policymakers to make low-carbon solutions the ‘default choice’ for consumers.“

Centered on this systematic transformation concept, Unilever is exploring low-carbon technology incubation pathways with ecological partners by establishing zero-carbon innovation centers and collaborating with universities and research institutes, providing practical examples for the low-carbon transformation of the detergent industry from the perspectives of industrial collaboration and technological co-creation.

Starting from Industry Consensus, Advancing Joint Industry Actions

The release of the White Paper on Carbon Footprint of Fabric Cleaning Products provides a data-driven, practice-oriented common starting point for the low-carbon transformation of China’s detergent industry. Through open, transparent, and standardized data research and key conclusions, the White Paper helps the industry more clearly identify carbon reduction priorities, align action directions, and creates conditions for product innovation, standard development, and policy coordination.

Looking ahead, Unilever will continue to deeply cultivate the high-frequency daily life scenario of home care, advance product innovation and industrial collaboration practices with greater scale in the Chinese market, and work with research institutions, industry partners, and consumers to transform low-carbon washing from research results into industry actions, helping the detergent industry move towards a more resilient and sustainable future.