Who chose EPDItaly tells its story: IVAS Spa
Mario Paganelli, Chief Operating Officer of Ivas Spa
The Ivas Group is an international leader with over 70 years of experience in building finishes. The company offers integrated products, solutions, systems, and technologies designed to meet the most complex architectural and construction requirements. The building envelope (both internal and external), its renovation, and its overall value have always represented the group’s core business. “Value to Buildings” is the guiding principle that has propelled the Group to a prominent position within the construction market.
The Romagna-based company chose to partner with EPDItaly to obtain Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for its External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS).
In this regard, we interviewed Mario Paganelli, Operations Director, who discussed the motivations behind the decision to pursue voluntary EPD certification, the benefits gained from publishing verified environmental data, and the role of EPDItaly in an increasingly international, sustainability-oriented market.
Why did you decide to pursue EPD certification?
IVAS has been certifying its cycles and products for many years as a hallmark of environmental stewardship and continuous technical improvement. Today, EPD certification is increasingly requested in both design specifications and public administration tenders, across domestic and international markets alike. For a company like ours, which has always been attentive to these dynamics, embarking on this path was a natural—and necessary—progression.
Which of your company’s products have obtained the EPD, and what are their primary characteristics?
To date, we have certified products belonging to our thermal insulation coating systems (ETICS). The certification covers both individual components—such as adhesives, base coats, and finishes—as well as the composite technical cycle as a whole. Furthermore, we are already working to extend this certification to our in-house produced EPS panels and other strategic materials within our range.
What are the main advantages gained from publishing the Environmental Product Declaration?
Having EPDs available has allowed us to respond immediately to the technical and procedural requirements of various projects we are managing, both in Italy and abroad. Simultaneously, the certification has helped strengthen our positioning as a reliable and innovative manufacturer in the eyes of our partners, clients, and the stakeholders we engage with daily.
Do you believe that tools like the EPD can help spread a deeper culture of product sustainability?
Absolutely. While the environmental impact of products is currently facing a period of relative stagnation in Europe and globally due to obstructionist policies, these issues remain central and will only become more critical in the future. From this perspective, to encourage broader adoption, it would be desirable to implement more streamlined and rapid procedures for obtaining certifications.
How important do you consider the presence of sustainable products within a Program Operator with a recognized international network?
It is an extremely significant factor, particularly in relation to European countries that demonstrate greater sensitivity to these issues. Being able to rely on a universally recognized network provides concrete support for market access. Furthermore, we are seeing strong interest in the United Kingdom as well, despite its departure from the European Union.