An example obtaining Environmental Product Declarations with Blue Marble’s support.

Obtaining EPD Case Study: Vantage® DF Discreet Fix Rainscreen System by BTS Facades & Fabrications

Background: BTS Facades & Fabrications, a leading producer of façade and rainscreen products based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, sought to create an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for their Vantage® DF Discreet Fix Rainscreen System. An EPD is a standardized and independently verified document that communicates the environmental performance of a product. This EPD would provide transparency and valuable information to architects, contractors, and builders, helping them make informed choices aligned with sustainability goals.

EPD Standards and Scope: The EPD project was undertaken in compliance with EN 15804+A2 and ISO 14025/ISO 21930 standards. The EPD was categorized as a third-party verified EPD, ensuring its credibility and reliability. The scope of the EPD included a cradle-to-gate analysis, encompassing stages A4-A5 and modules C1-C4, D of the product’s life cycle.

EPD Authorship and Verification: The EPD was authored by Sam McGarrick of Blue Marble, a reputable sustainability consulting firm. Blue Marble’s expertise and adherence to ISO 14025 ensured the EPD’s accuracy and compliance with industry standards. External verification, rather than internal certification, was chosen to bolster the credibility of the EPD.

Environmental Data Summary: The EPD reported key environmental metrics for the Vantage® DF Discreet Fix Rainscreen System, including:

• Declared unit: 1m2
• Declared unit mass: 10.1 kg
• Global Warming Potential (GWP) for A1-A3: 59.3 kg CO2e
• Total energy use for A1-A3: 262.0 kWh
• Total water use for A1-A3: 0.595 m3e
• Biogenic carbon content at the factory gate: 0 kg C
• REACH Substances of Very High Concern: None present in amounts greater than 0.1%

Product Description and Raw Materials: The Vantage® DF Discreet Fix Rainscreen System is an aluminium rainscreen designed to protect buildings from wind and rain. The product mainly comprises sheet aluminium, with 70% recycled content modeled. The aluminium is sourced from various locations, and transportation distances were weighted accordingly. The product also includes a polyester powder coating. The EPD accounted for the energy and materials used in the manufacturing process, including transportation, coating, and packaging.

Life-Cycle Analysis: The EPD covered various life-cycle modules, including raw materials, transportation, manufacturing, transport to construction sites, and end-of-life stages. It provided insights into the environmental impacts at each stage, such as energy consumption, material losses, and waste management.

Conclusion: By partnering with Blue Marble, BTS Facades & Fabrications successfully obtained an EPD for their Vantage® DF Discreet Fix Rainscreen System. This EPD serves as a valuable resource for stakeholders in the construction industry, offering transparent and credible information about the product’s environmental performance. It highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability and provides architects and builders with the information needed to make eco-conscious choices. This case study illustrates the thorough process of EPD development and verification, ensuring that sustainability claims are reliable and substantiated.