ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATION

In accordance with EN 15804 and ISO 14025

FRESCASA ECO
Date of publication: 2016-12-01
Validity: 3 years
Valid until: 2019-12-01
Based on PCR 2014:13 Insulation materials
®
Scope of the EPD : Colombia

Registration number The International EPD®

System: S-P-00972

1
General information
Manufacturer: Saint Gobain FIBERGLASS ISOVER calle 3 No. 3-49 Este, Mosquera, Colombia
®
Programme used: The International EPD System. More information at www.environdec.com
®
EPD registration number: S-P-00972
PCR identification: PCR Multiple CPC codes Insulation materials version 1.0 (2014:13)
Product name and manufacturer represented: FRESCASA ECO; Saint Gobain FIBERGLASS
ISOVER UN CPC code (371)
Owner of the declaration: Saint Gobain FIBERGLASS ISOVER
®
EPD prepared by: Saint Gobain FIBERGLASS ISOVER
Contact: [email protected]
Declaration issued: 2016-12-01, valid until: 2019-12-01

®
EPD program operator The International EPD System. Operated by
®
EPD International AB. www.environdec.com.
PCR review conducted by The Technical Committee of the International
EPD® System
®
LCA and EPD performed by Saint Gobain FIBERGLASS ISOVER
Independent verification of the environmental declaration and data according to standard EN
ISO 14025:2010

Internal External

Verifier
Marcel Gómez Ferrer
Marcel Gómez Consultoria Ambiental (www.marcelgomez.com)
Tlf 0034 630 64 35 93
Email: [email protected]

Product description
Product description and description of use:
®
This Environmental Product Declaration (EPD ) describes the environmental impacts of 1 m² of
2 -1
mineral wool with a thermal resistance of 1.0 K*m *W .

The production site of Saint Gobain FIBERGLASS ISOVER in Mosquera (Colombia) uses natural and
abundant raw materials (sand), using fusion and fiberising techniques to produce glass wool. The
products obtained come in the form of a "mineral wool mat" consisting of a soft, airy structure

On Earth, naturally, the best insulator is dry immobile air at 10°C: its thermal conductivity factor,
expressed in λ , is 0.025 W/(m.K) (watts per meter Kelvin degree). The thermal conductivity of mineral
wool is close to immobile air as its lambda varies from 0.030 W/(m.K) for the most efficient to 0.040
W/(m.K) to the least.

With its entangled structure, mineral wool is a porous material that traps the air, making it one of the
best insulating materials. The porous and elastic structure of the wool also absorbs noise in the air,
knocks and offers acoustic correction inside premises. Mineral wool containing incombustible
materials does not fuel fire or propagate flames.

Mineral wool insulation (glass wool) is used in buildings as well as industrial facilities. It ensures a high
level of comfort, lowers energy costs, minimizes carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, prevents heat loss
through pitched roofs, walls, floors, pipes and boilers, reduces noise pollution and protects homes and
industrial facilities from the risk of fire.
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Mineral wool products last for the average building’s lifetime (which is often set at 50 years as a
default), or as long as the insulated building component is part of the building.

Technical data/physical characteristics (for a thickness of 39.9 mm):

-1
Thermal resistance of the Product: 1.0 K.m².W (ASTM C518)
The thermal conductivity of the mineral wool is: 0.039 W/(m·K) (ASTM C411)
Reaction to fire: ASTM E84
Acoustic properties: ASTM C423

2
Description of the main components and/or materials for 1 m of mineral wool with a thermal
2 -1 ®
resistance of 1 K.m .W for the calculation of the EPD :

PARAMETER VALUE
2
Quantity of wool for 1 m of product 0.459 Kg

Thickness of wool 39.9 mm

Surfacing None

Packaging for the transportation and distribution Polyethylene: 9.5 g/m²

Product used for the Installation None

During the life cycle of the product any hazardous substance listed in the “Candidate List of
1
Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorization ” has been used in a percentage higher
than 0,1% of the weight of the product.

The verifier and the programme operator do not make any claim nor have any responsibility of the
legality of the product.

1
http://echa.europa.eu/chem_data/authorisation_process/candidate_list_table_en.asp

3
LCA calculation information
Providing a thermal insulation on 1 m² of product with a thermal resistance
FUNCTIONAL UNIT 2 -1
of 1 K.m .W
Cradle to Grave: Mandatory stages = A1-3, A4-5, B1-7, C1-4. Optional
SYSTEM BOUNDARIES
stage = D not taken into account
REFERENCE SERVICE LIFE
50 years
(RSL)

In the case that there is not enough information, the process energy and
materials representing less than 1% of the whole energy and mass used
can be excluded (if they do not cause significant impacts). The addition of all
the inputs and outputs excluded cannot be bigger than the 5% of the whole
mass and energy used, as well of the emissions to environment occurred.
CUT-OFF RULES
Flows related to human activities such as employee transport are excluded.

The construction of plants, production of machines and transportation

systems are excluded since the related flows are supposed to be negligible
compared to the production of the building product when compared at these
systems lifetime level.
ALLOCATIONS Allocation criteria are based on mass
GEOGRAPHICAL
Colombia production 2013
COVERAGE
Colombia transportation 2015
AND TIME PERIOD

 “EPDs of construction products may be not comparable if they do not comply with ISO 21930"
 “Environmental Product Declarations within the same product category from different
programs may not be comparable”
.

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Life cycle stages
Flow diagram of the Life Cycle

Product stage, A1-A3

Description of the stage: the product stage of the mineral wool products is subdivided into 3 modules
A1, A2 and A3 respectively “Raw material supply”, “transport” and “manufacturing”.

The aggregation of the modules A1, A2 and A3 is a possibility considered by the EN 15 804 standard.
This rule is applied in this EPD.

Description of the scenarios and other additional technical information:

A1, Raw materials supply

This module takes into account the extraction and processing of all raw materials and energy which
occur upstream to the studied manufacturing process

Specifically, the raw material supply covers production of binder components and sourcing (quarry) of
raw materials for fiber production, e.g. sand and borax for glass wool. Besides these raw materials,
recycled materials (agglomerates) are also used as input.

A2, Transport to the manufacturer

The raw materials are transported to the manufacturing site. In our case, the modeling include: road
(average values) of each raw material.

A3, Manufacturing
This module includes the manufacturing of the product and packagings. Specifically, it covers the
manufacturing of glass, resin, mineral wool (including the processes of fusion and fiberizing showed in
the flow diagram), and the packaging.

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Manufacturing process flow diagram

Construction process stage, A4-A5

Description of the stage: the construction process is divided into 2 modules: A4, transport to the
building site and A5, installation in the building.

A4, Transport to the building site: this module includes transport from the production gate to the
building site.
Transport is calculated on the basis of a scenario with the parameters described in the following table.

PARAMETER VALUE/DESCRIPTION
Fuel type and consumption of vehicle or vehicle type Average truck trailer with a 24t payload, diesel
used for transport e.g. long distance truck, boat, etc. consumption 38 liters for 100 km
Distance 310 km
100 % of the capacity in volume
Capacity utilisation (including empty returns)
30 % of empty returns
3
Bulk density of transported products* 11.52 kg/m
Volume capacity utilisation factor 1

6
A5, Installation in the building: this module includes:

No additional accessory was taken into account for the implementation phase insulation product.

PARAMETER VALUE/DESCRIPTION

Wastage of materials on the building site before

waste processing, generated by the product’s 5%
installation (specified by type)
Distance 25 km to landfill by truck
Output materials (specified by type) as results of
waste processing at the building site e.g. of Packaging wastes are 100 % collected and modeled
collection for recycling, for energy recovering, as recovered matter
disposal
Glass wool losses are landfilled
(specified by route)

Use stage (excluding potential savings), B1-B7

Description of the stage: the use stage is divided into the following modules:
- B1: Use
- B2: Maintenance
- B3: Repair
- B4: Replacement
- B5: Refurbishment
- B6: Operational energy use
- B7: Operational water use

Description of the scenarios and additional technical information:

Once installation is complete, no actions or technical operations are required during the use stages
until the end of life stage. Therefore mineral wool insulation products have no impact (excluding
potential energy savings) on this stage.

End of Life Stage, C1-C4

Description of the stage: this stage includes the next modules:

C1, Deconstruction, demolition

The de-construction and/or dismantling of insulation products take part of the demolition of the entire
building. In our case, the environmental impact is assumed to be very small and can be neglected

C2, Transport to waste processing

The model use for the transportation (see A4, transportation to the building site) is applied.

C3, Waste processing for reuse, recovery and/or recycling

The product is considered to be landfilled without reuse, recovery or recycling.

C4, Disposal
The mineral wool is assumed to be 100% landfilled.

Description of the scenarios and additional technical information:

End of life:
PARAMETER VALUE/DESCRIPTION
The entire product, including any surfacing is collected
alongside any mixed construction waste
Collection process specified by type
459 g of glass wool (collected with mixed construction
waste)
Recovery system specified by type There is no recovery, recycling or reuse of the product
7
 once it has reached its end of life phase.
The product alongside the mixed construction waste
Disposal specified by type from demolishing will go to landfill

459 g of glass wool are landfilled

We assume that the waste going to landfill will be
Assumptions for scenario development (e.g. transported by truck with 24 tons payload, using diesel
transportation) as a fuel consuming 38 liters per 100km.
Distance covered is 25 km

Reuse/recovery/recycling potential, D
Description of the stage: module D has not been taken into account.

8
LCA results
LCA model, aggregation of data and environmental impact are calculated from the TEAM™ software
5.2. CML 4.1 impact method has been used, together with DEAM (2006) and Ecoinvent 2.2 databases
to obtain the inventory of generic data.

Raw materials and energy consumption, as well as transport distances have been taken directly from
the manufacturing plant (Production data according 2013 and transport data according 2015)

Influence of particular thicknesses

®
This EPD includes the range of thicknesses between 39.9 mm and 63.5 mm, for every thickness,
using a multiplication factor in order to obtain the environmental performance of every thickness. In
2
order to calculate the multiplication factors, a reference unit has been selected (value of R= 1 m .K / W
for 39.9 mm). All the results refer to 39.9 mm of thickness.

In the next table the multiplication factors are shown for every specific thickness of the product family.
In order to obtain the environmental performance associated with every specific thickness, the results
®
expressed in this EPD must be multiplied by its corresponding multiplication factor.

PRODUCT THICKNESS (MM) MULTIPLICATION FACTOR

39.9 1
63.5 1.6

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 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Product Construction
Use stage End of life stage

D Reuse, recovery,
stage stage

recycling
B6 Operational

B7 Operational
Refurbishment
A4 Transport

Replacement
Maintenance

Deconstructio
n / demolition

C2 Transport
A1 / A2 / A3

Installation
Parameters

C4 Disposal
processing
energy use
B3 Repair

water use

C3 Waste
B1 Use
A5

B2

B4

B5

C1
8,2E-
6,8E-01 3,9E-02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6,6E-03 0 0 MND
Global Warming Potential 02
(GWP) - kg CO2 equiv/FU The global warming potential of a gas refers to the total contribution to global warming resulting from the emission
of one unit of that gas relative to one unit of the reference gas, carbon dioxide, which is assigned a value of 1.

2,7E-08 6,0E-08 4,6E-09 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,8E-09 0 0 MND

Ozone Depletion (ODP)
kg CFC 11 equiv/FU Destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer which shields the earth from ultraviolet radiation harmful to life.
This destruction of ozone is caused by the breakdown of certain chlorine and/or bromine containing compounds (chlorofluorocarbons or halons),
which break down when they reach the stratosphere and then catalytically destroy ozone molecules.

3,2E-03 3,8E-04 1,8E-04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,0E-05 0 0 MND

Acidification potential (AP)
kg SO2 equiv/FU Acid depositions have negative impacts on natural ecosystems and the man-made environment incl, buildings.
The main sources for emissions of acidifying substances are agriculture and fossil fuel combustion used for electricity production, heating and transport.

Eutrophication potential (EP) 3,4E-04 8,9E-05 2,2E-05 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7,1E-06 0 1,8E-06 MND

kg (PO4)3- equiv/FU
Excessive enrichment of waters and continental surfaces with nutrients, and the associated adverse biological effects.

Photochemical ozone 3,2E-04 5,9E-05 1,9E-05 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,8E-06 0 0 MND

creation (POPC)
Ethene equiv/FU Chemical reactions brought about by the light energy of the sun.
The reaction of nitrogen oxides with hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight to form ozone is an example of a photochemical reaction.

Abiotic depletion potential for

non-fossil resources (ADP- 2,4E-07 2,2E-11 1,2E-08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,8E-12 0 0 MND
elements) - kg Sb equiv/FU

Abiotic depletion potential for 1,3E+01 1,1E+00 6,8E-01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8,5E-02 0 0 MND

fossil resources (ADP-fossil
fuels) - MJ/FU Consumption of non-renewable resources, thereby lowering their availability for future generations.

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 RESOURCE USE

Product Construction
Use stage End of life stage

D Reuse, recovery,
stage process stage

recycling
A5 Installation

Refurbishmen

Deconstructio
n / demolition
A4 Transport

Replacement

C2 Transport
Maintenance

C4 Disposal
Parameters

Operational

Operational
A1 / A2 / A3

processing
energy use
B3 Repair

water use

C3 Waste
B1 Use

B2

B4

B5

B6

B7

C1
t
Use of renewable primary energy
excluding renewable primary
3,1E+00 5,1E-04 1,6E-01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,1E-05 0 0 MND
energy resources used as raw
materials - MJ/FU

Use of renewable primary energy

3,8E-02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MND
used as raw materials MJ/FU

Total use of renewable primary energy

resources (primary energy and primary
3,2E+00 5,1E-04 1,6E-01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,1E-05 0 0 MND
energy resources used as raw materials)
MJ/FU

Use of non-renewable primary

energy excluding non-renewable
1,0E+01 1,1E+00 6,0E-01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8,5E-02 0 0 MND
primary energy resources used as
raw materials - MJ/FU
Use of non-renewable primary
energy used as raw materials 4,4E-01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MND
MJ/FU
Total use of non-renewable primary
energy resources (primary energy and
1,1E+01 1,1E+00 6,0E-01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8,5E-02 0 0 MND
primary energy resources used as raw
materials) - MJ/FU
Use of secondary material
3,4E-01 0 1,7E-02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MND
kg/FU

Use of renewable secondary

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MND
fuels- MJ/FU

Use of non-renewable secondary

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MND
fuels - MJ/FU

Use of net fresh water - m3/FU 2,3E-03 1,0E-04 1,2E-04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8,1E-06 0 0 MND

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 WASTE CATEGORIES

Product Construction
Use stage End-of-life stage

D Reuse, recovery,
stage process stage

recycling
Deconstruction
B6 Operational

B7 Operational
Refurbishment
A5 Installation
A4 Transport

Replacement

C2 Transport
Maintenance
Parameters

C4 Disposal
/ demolition
A1 / A2 / A3

processing
energy use
B3 Repair

water use

C3 Waste
B1 Use

B2

B4

B5

C1
Hazardous waste disposed
1,0E-03 2,4E-05 5,4E-05 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,0E-06 0 0 MND
kg/FU

Non-hazardous waste disposed

8,4E-02 9,5E-05 2,7E-02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7,7E-06 0 4,6E-01 MND
kg/FU

Radioactive waste disposed

8,5E-06 1,7E-05 1,3E-06 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,4E-06 0 0 MND
kg/FU

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 OTHER OUTPUT FLOWS

Product Construction
Use stage End-of-life stage

D Reuse, recovery,
stage process stage

recycling
B6 Operational

B7 Operational
Refurbishment
A5 Installation

Deconstructio
n / demolition
A4 Transport

Replacement

C2 Transport
Maintenance

C4 Disposal
A1 / A2 / A3

processing
energy use
Parameters

B3 Repair

water use

C3 Waste
B1 Use

B2

B4

B5

C1
Components for re-use
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MND
kg/FU

Materials for recycling

9,7E-02 4,4E-07 1,7E-02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,5E-08 0 0 MND
kg/FU

Materials for energy recovery

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MND
kg/FU

Exported energy
1,4E-02 0 7,2E-04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MND
MJ/FU

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LCA interpretation
Product Transport Installation Use End-of-life
(A1-A3) (A4) (A5) (B) (C)
Total Recycling
Environmental Positive benefits
impacts of the of recycling
product (D)

Global warming 0,80 0,68

kg CO 2 equiv/FU

0,60

0,40 0,81
0,20 0,08 0,04 0,00 0,01 kg CO2equiv/FU 0,00
0,00
Non-renewable resources 15,00 12,54
consumption [1]
10,00

5,00
14,36
MJ/FU

1,05 0,68 0,00 0,08 MJ/FU 0,00

0,00
Energy consumption [2] 15,00 14,04

10,00

5,00
15,95
MJ/FU

1,06 0,76 MJ/FU

0,00 0,09 0,00
0,00
Water consumption [3] 0,00
0,00
0,00

0,00
0,003
m3 /FU

0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00

m3/FU 0,00
0,00
Waste production [4] 0,60
0,46
0,40

0,20
0,57
kg/FU

0,09
0,03 kg/FU
0,00 0,00 0,00
0,00

[1] This indicator corresponds to the abiotic depletion potential of fossil resources.
[2] This indicator corresponds to the total use of primary energy.
[3] This indicator corresponds to the use of net fresh water.
[4] This indicator corresponds to the sum of hazardous, non-hazardous and radioactive waste disposed.

Global Warming Potential (Climate Change) (GWP)

When analyzing the above figure for GWP, it can clearly be seen that the majority of contribution to
this environmental impact is from the production modules (A1 – A3). This is primarily because the
sources of greenhouse gas emissions are predominant in this part of the life cycle. CO2 is generated
upstream from the production of electricity and is also released on site by the combustion of natural
gas. We can see that other sections of the life cycle also contribute to the GWP; however the
production modules contribute to over 80% of the contribution. Combustion of fuel in transport vehicles
will generate the second highest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions.

Non-renewable resources consumptions

We can see that the consumption of non – renewable resources is once more found to have the
highest value in the production modules. This is because a large quantity of natural gas is consumed
within the factory, and non – renewable fuels such as natural gas and coal are used to generate the
large amount of electricity we use. The contribution to this impact from the other modules is very small
and primarily due to the non – renewable resources consumed during transportation.

Energy Consumptions
As we can see, modules A1 – A3 have the highest contribution to total energy consumption. Energy in
the form of electricity and natural gas is consumed in a vast quantity during the manufacture of glass
mineral wool so we would expect the production modules to contribute the most to this impact
category.

Water Consumption

14
As we don’t use water in any of the other modules (A4 – A5, B1 – B7, C1 – C4), we can see that there
is no contribution to water consumption. For the production phase, water is used within the
manufacturing facility and therefore we see the highest contribution here. However, we recycle a lot of
the water on site so the contribution is still relatively low.

Waste Production
Waste production does not follow the same trend as the above environmental impacts. The largest
contributor is the end of life module. This is because the entire product is sent to landfill once it
reaches the end of life state. However, there is a still an impact associated with the production module
since we do generate waste on site. The very small impact associated with installation is due to the
loss rate of product during implementation.

15
Additional information

TYPE OF INFORMATION DESCRIPTION

Representative of average production in Columbia
Location
(2014)
Split of energy sources in Columbia
- Coal and peat: 10.21%
- Fuel oil: 0.24%
- Gas: 15.31%
- Nuclear: 0.00%
Geographical representativeness description - Hydro: 71.10%
- Tide: 0.00%
- Wind: 0.08%
- Solar PV: 0.00%
- Other non-thermal: 0.00%
Import and Distribution losses: 3.16%
Reference year 2014
Type of data set Cradle to gate
Source IEA 2014

0,08% 3,16%
0,24%
Fuel Oil
10,21%
Coal and peat

Natural gas
15,31%
Hydro

71,00% Free electricity (wind…)

Import and distribution

losses

.
.

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Bibliography

ISO 14040:2006: Environmental Management-Life Cycle Assessment-Principles and framework.

ISO 14044:2006: Environmental Management-Life Cycle Assessment-Requirements and
guidelines.
ISO 14025:2006: Environmental labels and declarations-Type III Environmental Declarations-
Principles and procedures.
PCR Multiple UN CPC codes Insulation materials (2014:13) version 1.0
UNE-EN 15804:2012+A1:2013: Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product
declarations - Core rules for the product category of construction products.
General Programme Instructions for the International EPD® System, version 2.5

17