Against the backdrop of global low-carbon transition, sustainable travel has been embraced by an increasing number of travelers. They now expect more from their suitcases—beyond basic functionality, they hope their luggage can also reflect a sustainable lifestyle, combining both personal enjoyment and environmental responsibility.
To meet travelers’ expectations for sustainable journeys, and with the support of Carbon Newture, Jiangsu Echolac Travel Goods Co., Ltd. (“Echolac”) conducted cradle-to-grave carbon footprint accounting for its OXYGEN series 20-inch suitcase, achieved product-level carbon neutrality under ISO 14068, and obtained third-party certification from TÜV SÜD.
Notably, this marks Echolac’s second carbon-neutral product, following the CELESTRA series 20-inch suitcase. Through a series of green initiatives, Echolac is delivering a clear message to the market: low carbon has become a core attribute of modern luggage.
Practical, stylish, and low-Carbon: The green transformation of a classic luggage brand
Founded in 1964, ECHOLAC has earned global consumer recognition with its outstanding design and high-quality luggage products. In 2009, the brand was officially acquired by Shanghai Haichen International Co., Ltd., opening a new chapter of development. Today, after more than half a century of growth, Echolac products have reached over 50 countries, serving more than 80 million travelers worldwide and building a strong global brand presence.
Echolac has long pursued a balance between stylish design and functional durability, continuously innovating to elevate user experience. For example, the CELESTRA series introduced a unique front-opening structure to maximize internal space beyond the limitations of traditional clamshell designs. The lightweight OXYGEN series starts from the design source, reducing PC shell weight while enhancing impact resistance, giving travelers a lighter and more effortless journey.
As global enthusiasm for quality travel rises—alongside growing interest in outdoor and ecological tourism—sustainable travel is increasingly recognized and practiced. Travelers are choosing lower-carbon transport and accommodation options, and they want their gear—especially visible items like luggage—to reflect their sustainable values.
Low carbon is no longer just part of corporate social responsibility; it has become an effective way for brands to connect with consumers and a recognized benchmark of quality. Sensing this shift, Echolac accelerated its green transformation. In March this year, the company partnered with Carbon Newture to launch carbon neutrality certification for its CELESTRA series 20-inch suitcase.
Throughout this process, Echolac increasingly realized the operational benefits of carbon reduction, and in September, renewed its partnership with Carbon Newture to begin carbon neutrality certification for the OXYGEN series 20-inch suitcase.
From internal upgrades to full-chain collaboration: Decarbonizing the entire lifecycle of a suitcase
If the first carbon-neutral CELESTRA suitcase was Echolac’s strategic trial in the low-carbon field, then the carbon neutrality of the OXYGEN series signals a clear, established decarbonization roadmap within the company.
Through forward-looking green deployment and full lifecycle carbon footprint assessments of its core products, Echolac precisely identified key emission hotspots and implemented targeted optimizations. The company’s major actions include:
Production: Full electrification + rooftop photovoltaics
To cut emissions during production, Echolac switched entirely to electricity, phasing out diesel, steam, and natural gas. Large-scale photovoltaic installations now account for around 40% of the factory’s electricity use.
The results are significant:
The CELESTRA 20-inch suitcase reduced production-stage emissions by ~40%
The OXYGEN 20-inch suitcase reduced production-stage emissions by ~34%
Supply Chain: Extending decarbonization upstream
Echolac also expanded its efforts into upstream Scope 3 supply chain management.
With accurate carbon data, the company identified transportation as a major emission source and prioritized suppliers with shorter transport distances—provided quality was assured. This reduced logistics emissions while enhancing supply chain responsiveness and stability.
Design: Starting carbon reduction at the source
Most importantly, Echolac embedded low-carbon thinking into product design.
The OXYGEN series exemplifies “design for carbon reduction.” Through refined structural engineering, the suitcase shell is significantly lighter while remaining strong and impact-resistant. A 20-inch OXYGEN suitcase weighs only 2.1 kg, roughly equivalent to a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
A lighter suitcase not only eases travelers’ burdens but also reduces the consumption of raw materials and lowers emissions throughout extraction, processing, and transportation—proving that great design is inherently low-carbon design.
A clear pathway toward low carbon—measurable, optimizable, replicable
From clean energy transformation in production, to optimized logistics, to lightweight product design, Echolac’s decarbonization measures are systematic and progressive. Together, they form a transparent “decarbonization action pathway” that turns low carbon from an abstract concept into a measurable and replicable practice.
Through two consecutive carbon-neutral products, Echolac has carved out a pathway where “high quality” and “low carbon” reinforce one another. The company demonstrates that low carbon is not only a label, but also the natural result of lean management and technological innovation. A suitcase that is lighter in design, more energy-efficient in production, and more efficient in logistics will inevitably have a lower carbon footprint—and a superior user experience.
Low carbon has become a defining indicator of what makes a truly “good suitcase.” Echolac is taking concrete action to provide reliable companions for travelers while setting a compelling example for the luggage industry’s sustainable transformation.
