Changing the way we give

At XD Connects we want to inspire our customers to join us in changing the way we give. We have created an ESG roadmap leading up to 2030, and set ambitious goals and commitments for ourselves. We want to show our industry what it’s capable of if we all give it our best shot. Let’s change together!

One of our main goals is to tackle our carbon footprint. This topic has grown in importance globally. At XD Connects we have been calculating our company footprint since 2020; in 2022 we became fully transparent about the CO2 footprint per product. This footprint is calculated through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

We have chosen two different approaches for LCA’s:
1. CO2 footprint
This is our approach for most product groups in our collection (such as electronics, bags, drinkware, and pens and notebooks), calculating the CO2 footprint through an LCA tool developed and certified in accordance with ISO methodology.
2. Product footprint – Textile collection
For our newly introduced Iqoniq textiles collection we have chosen a Product Footprint approach. Note the different name: this LCA does not only calculate CO2 but also other resources used such as water and land. We have specifically chosen this broader approach because textiles are under a lot of scrutiny; launching a textile collection therefore comes with heightened responsibility.

In the text below you can find explanation of both approaches, the CO2 Footprint, and the Product footprint




Product footprint – Textile collection
Our Iqoniq collection is different: it is not only something you want to wear, but something you can be proud of wearing! Knowing what you are wearing is considered a must if we want to change, not only the way we give, but also the way we dress. For our Iqoniq textile collection we collaborate with Made2Flow, a company specialized in textile impact calculations for the fashion industry. They focus on three types of impact: GHG (Greenhouse Gas/CO2 Footprint), water use (or water footprint) and land use (or land footprint). For each Iqoniq product these three types of impact are calculated and shared with our customers. Because these numbers alone do not say much about how high or low the impact of a product is, we include a benchmark* for comparison under each impact type. The savings shown is the percentage CO2, water, or land use that is saved relative to the benchmark product when customers choose our product.

In the example below, the XD Connects product chosen presents a savings of 38% of CO2, 30% water usage, and 48% land usage needed to produce the product compared to a similar product. Why? Because our Iqoniq collection is made using recycled and organic cotton, instead of conventional cotton which requires a lot more resources in production. You can even see the difference in footprint between garments with different types of dye techniques!

*The Benchmark: The benchmark is a similar product which is produced in the same geography, same time and with the same technology, essentially so the same product parameters.

This LCA approach covers all GHG, water and Land emissions generated by a product throughout this scope of the life cycle, Cradle-to-gate. The calculations are based on the methodology conform ISO14040 standards. The generated carbon footprint is subject to change based on new information, research and data sets.

The Scope
Some LCAs have more extensive scopes than others, depending on how many product life phases they include. Scope is important to note when comparing product footprints – a less extensive scope will likely deliver a lower footprint but is less transparent about the remainder of the product footprint. The scope of the Made2Flow calculation includes all tiers from materials production to assembly of the finished product, and it includes packaging. This scope is called ‘cradle-to-gate’.*


*Phases that are not included in the Made2Flow scope: transportation, energy use, disposal.


Data collection
The base of data collection lies in mapping the supply chain and outlining the production process for each production partner. This will lead to the availability of data either from the primary source, or if not available then from a secondary source.

Primary sources
Primary source data is data that comes directly from supply chain partners. Primary data includes environmental and non-environmental data which make up a reliable supplier profile, mapping its activity and eventually its impact on the environment. Data collection includes data validation, which is done by comparing different data points against previously collected primary and secondary data.
Secondary sources
Secondary data is data from external sources and previous research. Secondary data can be cross-industry data, such as the energy-mix used in a specific location. Secondary data is used when primary data is not available or not complete.
The Benchmark
This calculated based on either primary or secondary data, depending on availability. Primary data was gathered from 12 facilities, between 2021-2022. The database (secondary source) used, is Ecoinvent 3.6.
Water Footprint calculations.
Almost any activity requires water. Freshwater is a finite and limited resource, and textile-making is by nature a water intensive industry. The water footprint is calculated through the main water sources identified throughout the process: wet processing (such as dyeing), chemical use and production, electricity production, fuels (transport and for heat generation) and from farming activities, where applicable.
Land footprint
In a Life Cycle Assessment, this refers to a continuous use of land area for a certain human-control-led purpose, e.g. agriculture, forestry or buildings. Questions such as ‘what was the yield of the cotton field? What is the size of the building used to cut/sew/knit etc., compared to the output of items.

Interested in knowing more about our Iqoniq collection, and how we know exactly how much recycled content is in our products?



CO2 Footprint
This footprint was our first step to offering our customers a choice of selecting products with a lower impact. This 1.5-year journey and learning curve resulted in:

The complete and transparent CO2 footprint per product!

We are responsible for the transparency of our approach to calculate the CO2 footprint of the products that we manufacture and sell, therefore, we share how we calculate CO2 emissions: the example here shows the product life cycle assessment, with the total Kg CO2 per product. The emissions generated in each phase of the product life cycle are shown (in grams). Similarly, the percentages represent the breakdown of CO2 impact throughout all stages of product life-cycle, which together make up the Total CO2 footprint of the product*.

The scope
The CO2 Footprint scope is cradle-to-grave. This LCA approach covers all GHG-emissions generated by a product throughout its entire life cycle; from the extraction of raw materials to the end-of-life treatment or disposal. The five phases are:



*This LCA approach covers all GHG-emissions generated by a product throughout its entire life-cycle; from the extraction of raw materials to the end-of-life treatment/disposal. The calculations are based on a carbon footprint (CFP) calculation tool. The methodology is in conformity with the principles of ISO 14067:2018, verified and critically reviewed, in compliance with ISO 14071:2014, by the Bureau Veritas.The generated carbon footprint is subject to change based on new information, research and data sets.

Data collection
For the CO2 Footprint, all data comes from secondary sources but is applied to our specific product.

Materials & Production Packaging Transportation Energy Use & Electronics End of life
The data in this phase is a combination of the extraction of the raw materials, transformation and production of goods. The data in this phase is the individual item packaging based on the primary packaging components, (this is usually a gift box, sometimes a polybag, or both). The data in this phase is based on our default method for the transportation of goods; from the country of production to our warehouse in Romania. Note: this does not include the transportation from our warehouse to customers The data in this phase is a combination of the production of battery & electronic components and the expected electricity consumption during the ‘use phase’ (based on the average life span of a battery). Note: this only applies to the products containing battery or electronic components.

The data in this phase is a combination of the end-of-life treatment (such as recycling) and disposal of the product, packaging, battery and electronic components.
(Data source: Base Impacts v2.01, Ecoinvent 3.8, Base Carbone, ADEME) (Data source: Base Impacts v2.01, Ecoinvent 3.8, Base Carbone, ADEME) (Data source: Base Carbone, ADEME) (Data source: IEA 2018, DEFRA 2019, Ecoinvent 3.8,) (Data source: Base Carbone, ADEME, DEFRA 2019)


You can find the CO2 footprint information of our textile and non-textile LCA’s in various places on our website:
- On the Co2 footprint tab on the product page (after login)
- In the ESG Footprint box on the product page
- On the Product sheet (PDF)
- On the Product comparison sheet (PDF)
- In our online Catalogues

If you have questions, check out our FAQs or contact ESG@xdconnects.com