Life Cycle Assessment

Polybutylene vs Copper Hot & Cold Systems

System

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

Properties

Function

  • The pressure supply and transport of hot & cold drinking water from the entrance of a typical European apartment of 100 m2 to the taps

Pipes & Fittings

  • PB-1 Pipe System
  • Fittings: PB-1, PVDF, PPSU. Containing PA-GF, other plastics, stainless steel, brass, and heating wire made of metal alloy.

Lifetime

  • A 50 year lifetime has been assumed, aligned with the life time of an apartment

Pipes System Design

  • EN ISO 15876 / EN 806

* 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.