Life Cycle Assessment

Polyethylene vs Ductile Iron Pipe Systems for Pressurised Water Supply

System

For the purposes of a direct fair comparison between alternative materials the following identical functional units were used in the LCA study for pressurised water supply pipe systems:

Properties

Function

  • A pipe system for the below ground pressure transportation of drinking water over a distance of 100 meters from the exit of the water plant to the water meter in a building

Pipes & Fittings

  • PE pipe material consists of black polyethylene MRS 10 MPa (PE 100) with blue stripes
  • Fittings EF & BW

Lifetime

  • A 100 year lifetime has been assumed, which aligns with the normal life expectancy of a building

Pipes System Design

  • EN 12201 / EN 805

* Comparison studies are provided for information purposes only. The environmental impact analysis for alternative pipe materials has been calculated based on the same functional unit and category rules as used for the plastic pipe system to which it is compared. The analysis of the environmental impact of the comparison material has been based on publically available data

It should be noted that data relating to raw materials, manufacturing processes, system design, installation practice, etc. for alternative pipe materials has been taken from various publically accessible sources. Whereas every effort has been made to ensure the integrity and validity of this data TEPPFA cannot accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions.

As TEPPFA has made the results of the LCA comparison studies available for the general public, following the principles of EN 15804, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, a critical review of the LCA study is required. Different to ISO requirements for comparative LCA studies TEPPFA did not install a review panel, but commissioned a single critical review. This critical review was performed by Denkstatt GmbH.