Promat sustainability data supports embodied carbon decisions in UK projects

Promat expands EPD coverage across portfolio

Promat has published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for 86% of its products sold within the Etex Building Performance UK division, providing third-party verified sustainability data to support passive fire protection specification.

The UK based manufacturer said the move forms part of its ClearChange sustainability programme, which aims to increase transparency for customers using its board products.

According to the company, the published EPDs cover the majority of board products in its current portfolio and give specifiers a basis for comparing options on environmental performance.

Promat stated that the declarations are designed to help customers make more informed choices and, in some cases, reduce the environmental footprint of projects where its products are used.

The company added that EPDs also act as a tool for manufacturers, helping them identify material choices, production stages and supply chain elements that can reduce embodied carbon across their ranges.

EPDs detail embodied carbon and lifecycle data

Promat explained that its EPDs are the result of assessments that are independently verified for impartiality and aligned with ISO 14025 and EN 15804+A2/A1.

The firm said a dedicated internal team works to ensure that its products and technologies are progressively covered by EPDs.

Current EPDs include Promat medium density calcium silicate boards such as PROMATECT, SUPALUX and MASTERBOARD, which are used in building and industrial applications.

The declarations provide upfront embodied carbon figures for the boards and include information on packaging, waste treatment and end-of-life recycling.

Promat reported that this lifecycle approach allows the total embodied carbon of the passive fire protection boards to be evaluated rather than focusing only on initial production.

The company noted that this level of detail is intended to support customers who are working to meet environmental targets alongside fire-protection requirements.

Manufacturing measures support lower environmental impact

Promat said the EPDs also reflect measures taken within its manufacturing facilities to reduce environmental impact.

At its Belgium facility, the company uses a mix of hydropower, local combined heat and power (CHP) and solar energy to help mitigate the impact of the production process.

According to Promat, linking operational energy sources to product declarations gives customers additional context on how the boards are manufactured.

The manufacturer indicated that this information can be relevant for projects where both operational and embodied carbon are being assessed at design stage.

Promat added that its sustainability work is ongoing as part of the wider ClearChange programme.

ClearChange programme and customer support

Duncan Gardiner, Promat Platform Sustainability and Communications Manager, said: “We take our commitment to the environment seriously, and by offering EPDs for most of our current portfolio, we ensure our customers can do the same.

“There are some instances where EPDs are not possible, such as bespoke and complex applications, however, we are able to provide comprehensive support in these instances to ensure that our customers’ needs are met.

“Our ClearChange sustainability program demonstrates how we as a company will tackle sustainability challenges, and EPDs are the first step in ensuring we can make a tangible difference to our environmental impact.

“By delivering clear environmental impact data to support our customers, architects and specifiers, we hope to empower the industry to make informed decisions around sustainability, not only to meet regulations but to invest in a more sustainable construction sector.”

How Promat’s EPDs affect specification decisions

Promat’s publication of EPDs for most of its passive fire protection boards provides architects, fire engineering consultants and building services engineers with verified data that can be used directly in project assessments.

The lifecycle information, including upfront embodied carbon, packaging, waste treatment and end-of-life recycling routes, allows design teams to compare Promat products on environmental impact as well as fire-performance criteria.

For procurement officers, facility managers and fire-protection contractors, the declarations create a common reference point when evaluating board options for tenders or refurbishment projects that must meet corporate sustainability targets.

Risk assessors and system installers can also use the EPD data when providing advice on product selection in buildings where both fire safety and embodied carbon are under scrutiny.

By linking the ClearChange programme to independently verified EPDs that cover 86% of products within the Etex Building Performance UK division, Promat gives project teams information that can feed into building certification schemes and internal reporting processes.

Although bespoke or complex applications may not yet have EPDs, the company’s commitment to providing support in these cases means specifiers still have a route to obtain environmental information for planning purposes.