BASF introduces EPD development service for concrete mixtures

Sources: BASF Construction Chemicals; CP staff

BASF Construction Chemicals’ Admixture Systems business has launched a third-party, critically reviewed Environmental Product Declaration Manager tool for concrete, enabling preparation of customer-specific EPDs to help producers communicate mixtures’ environmental performance and attributes.

EPD development capabilities equip BASF Admixtures Systems staff to help concrete producers meet requirements for the new LEED v4 Materials and Resources credit. “Many of our customers may want to provide EPDs and better communicate and quantify the environmental impacts of their mixtures,” notes Juan Alfonso Garcia, vice president of BASF’s Admixture Systems business in North America. “This tool allows us to assist our customers through that process.”

In addition to developing declaration content through its EPD Manager tool, the company provides a seamless process for the third-party critical review and registration of the final document through the Program Operator. Final, verified declarations are ready for submission to architects, engineers and other project stakeholders. The EPD Manager has been independently verified by NSF International and complies with the North American Product Category Rules for ISO 14025 Type III Environmental Product Declarations developed by the Carbon Leadership Forum. The tool is the newest element of BASF’s portfolio of products and services for sustainable construction, including Eco-Efficiency Analysis.

Often compared to nutrition labels, EPDs are third-party verified reports published by suppliers and manufacturers that provide quality assured and comparable information regarding environmental performance of their materials and products. Declarations enable building designers to compare the environmental performance of materials and products that fulfill the same function to make educated decisions.