Life-cycle assessment

LCA Comparative Studies

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) provides the internationally recognised method to quantify environmental impacts of products, processes and/or systems. It shows the environmental effects of a product over its entire life cycle, including extraction of raw materials, production of materials and the product, construction, use and end-of-life treatment.

Making Fair Comparisons between Alternative Materials

An independent comparative LCA study commissioned by TEPPFA, undertaken by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) and critically reviewed by the Austrian sustainability consultancy Denkstatt, has confirmed that, in general, plastic is a better choice for pipe systems when compared to the alternative materials assessed.

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 publicly available data.

In order to provide results transparency, the LCA comparison studies follow the principles of EN 15804, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.

If you would like to receive a background report on any of the Life Cycle Assessments, please fill in the attached form and send your request to TEPPFA.

Environmental Impact Criteria

A whole range of processes have been assessed to calculate the overall impacts. The LCAs show the environmental effects of a product over its entire life cycle, including extraction of raw materials, production of materials and the product, construction, use and end-of-life treatment.

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EPD Calculator

The EPD Calculator demonstrates value that plastic pipe systems offer for a sustainable future and compares the environmental impact across different piping systems. It summarizes findings of the independent study by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) measuring the environmental footprint of various plastic pipe systems based on life-cycle assessment.

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Life-cycle assessment (LCA)

Twenty one application areas were selected for the life-cycle assessment of plastic pipes, covering both the supply and drainage-sewage sides: