Plastic pipe dataaround Europe

The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA) is pleased to announce the release of comprehensive Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) datasets for two principal types of recycled PVC (r-PVC) materials — micronised powder and flakes — commonly used in the manufacture of PVC pipes. These datasets have undergone external peer review and are fully compliant with the ISO 14040/14044 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standards.

In response to requests from LCA practitioners within the PVC pipe sector, TEPPFA initiated the development of these datasets using data representative of the European market for both r-PVC micronised powder (500–650 µm) and r-PVC flakes. The project commenced in April 2024, with the participation of four dedicated PVC pipe recyclers located across Europe. The resulting LCI datasets reflect an average profile of r-PVC production within the European context.

Project Objectives

• To provide transparent, robust, and independently peer-reviewed European datasets for the main PVC recyclates used in rigid PVC pipe applications.
• To enable TEPPFA members to implement eco-design principles in PVC pipe manufacturing and to facilitate the development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
• To support the advancement of LCA practices, empowering informed decision-making in the context of the circular economy.

The datasets enable to calculate a broad spectrum of environmental indicators, including climate change impact, resource consumption and water and energy use. They are available for free download from the TEPPFA website in both Excel and ILCD formats, allowing seamless integration into major LCA software platforms and EPD generation tools for PVC pipes.

This study was conducted by Ecoinnovazione, an Italian LCA consultancy, and co-sponsored by VinylPlus — a voluntary initiative of the European PVC value chain dedicated to enhancing the environmental and social performance of PVC products and processes.

Ludo Debever, General Manager of TEPPFA, stated:
“These new datasets will enhance the credibility and comparability of TEPPFA members’ environmental assessments. By promoting the increased use of recycled materials in new PVC pipe systems, we are taking significant steps towards greater industry circularity, fully aligned with the ambitions of the EU Clean Industrial Deal.”

Visit TEPPFA Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) webpage to download the LCI datasets.

Posted on 10th July 2025

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