Understanding PCI’s 2025 Regionalized Industry Average EPDs-Understanding PCI 2025 Regionalized Industry Average EPDs Handout

Understanding PCI 2025 Regionalized Industry Average EPDs Handout

Pdf Summary

This webinar, presented by Thomas Ketron, Director of Sustainability at PCI, focuses on the 2025 Regionalized Industry Average Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for precast/prestressed concrete products. It provides PCI members with guidance on understanding and using these EPDs to support environmental transparency, meet growing market demands, and enhance sustainable construction practices.<br /><br />EPDs are third-party verified, standardized disclosures based on Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) that quantify environmental impacts of products from raw material extraction to manufacturing and transport ("cradle to gate"). The 2025 PCI regionalized EPDs offer more localized data across different U.S. regions and product types (architectural, structural, insulated precast) to improve market relevance, compliance with green building standards like LEED v4.1 MR and Buy Clean policies, and industry benchmarking.<br /><br />Key points include:<br />- Understanding EPD components, PCRs (Product Category Rules), and differences between product-specific vs. industry-wide EPDs.<br />- Overview of sustainability in concrete, highlighting that precast concrete is durable, energy-efficient, material-efficient, and contributes relatively low CO2 emissions compared to overall construction emissions.<br />- The data behind PCI's EPDs is collected from members, verified by third parties, and grouped by region and product type. It provides insights into main Global Warming Potential (GWP) drivers such as cement and steel content and transportation impacts.<br />- Using EPDs for internal benchmarking, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder communication.<br />- Clarifying lifecycle scope differences: "cradle to gate" covers material extraction through delivery, while "cradle to grave" extends to use, maintenance, and end-of-life, which can demonstrate long-term precast benefits.<br />- Future updates may include more detailed PCRs, expanded impact categories, and cradle-to-grave data.<br />PCI offers continuing education credits through this program and provides ongoing resources, tools, research, and advocacy to help members advance sustainable concrete construction.<br /><br />In summary, PCI’s 2025 regional EPDs provide critical, transparent environmental data for the precast concrete industry to improve sustainability performance, comply with evolving regulations, and maintain market leadership. Members are encouraged to utilize these resources and engage with PCI’s sustainability initiatives.

Keywords

2025 Regionalized Industry Average EPDs

Precast Concrete

Prestressed Concrete

Environmental Product Declarations

Life Cycle Assessment

Sustainability in Concrete

Green Building Standards

LEED v4.1 MR

Buy Clean Policies

Global Warming Potential