The rise of EPDs in the concrete industry. Interview with Alessia Buzzetta, Environment and Sustainability Office – Betonrossi

Alessia Buzzetta, Environment and Sustainability Office – Betonrossi

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) published on the EPDItaly Program Operator, particularly with regard to ready-mixed concrete mixtures. This trend reflects not only the growing environmental awareness of the construction sector, but also the regulatory and market push towards transparency and sustainability in building materials.

A key factor contributing to this increase has been the widespread use of EPD generation using a qualified LCA TOOL, a method adopted by the leading Italian concrete manufacturers. This has made the process of preparing and verifying EPDs easier and more effective, reducing the time required when there is a wide range of products to be verified. In this way, companies have been able to respond more quickly and competitively to the needs of their customers and designers, who are increasingly relying on environmental data that must be credible and guaranteed by verification from an accredited third-party body such as ICMQ.

To explore this topic in greater depth, we interviewed Dr. Alessia Buzzetta, Head of the Environment and Sustainability Office at Betonrossi S.p.A., who told us how the qualified LCA TOOL plays a fundamental role in responding to the challenges encountered and looking to the future prospects of the ready-mixed concrete market.

What critical issues or operational requirements did you encounter when measuring the environmental impact of your mixes that prompted you to create a customized tool certified by ICMQ?

The collection and accuracy of data relating to raw materials and production processes were substantial and complex, as we carried out an LCA study of all Betonrossi S.p.A. plants, analyzing a total of more than 300 specific concrete recipes.

Standardizing calculation and reporting methodologies was a challenge; it involved comparing raw materials from different suppliers and from different regions; the TOOL LCA tool allowed us to simplify data collection, producing a series of outputs from a variety of similar inputs, using a single basic model, common to all products/plants involved.

The technical and process complexity associated with the preparation of EPDs represented an operational commitment that required specialized internal resources and specific training.

How do you expect this tool to improve transparency for customers, designers, and general contractors, for example, with regard to carbon footprint, use of secondary raw materials, or reduced clinker percentage?

Environmental product declarations are essential and useful for improving transparency for customers, designers, and general contractors. Thanks to this document, it is possible to provide clear and verifiable information on key aspects of the sector.

Environmental product declarations are essential for improving transparency for customers, designers, and general contractors. They make it possible to communicate the impact of products in a clear and verifiable way, facilitate comparison between different solutions on the market through standardized data, support requests related to environmental regulations and certifications, and at the same time promote more responsible practices throughout the entire supply chain.

How will you integrate the data generated by the tool into your processes, and what competitive advantages do you expect to gain in the medium term?

To integrate the data generated by EPDs into our processes, we plan to adopt management and monitoring systems that allow us to collect, update, and analyze all information. We also want to make EPD data an integral part of our sustainability, communication, and continuous improvement strategies.

In terms of competitiveness, integrating EPD data will enable us to differentiate our products on the market, offering greater transparency and recognized certifications; to respond quickly to requests from customers and designers who are concerned about sustainability; and to improve process efficiency by identifying areas for optimization and reducing waste and costs.