EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) for Hi-Con balconies

Senior project manager, Charlotte Merlin, has assisted the Danish company Hi-Con in getting a verified EPD (Environmental Product Declaration). In order to make the EPD, all the environmental impacts of the concrete elements had to be quantified. The figures/calculations showed that the carbon footprint per m3 is around 1350 kg CO2, including production, transport to site, installation and use.

At the same time the results enable Hi-Con to show how much the low amount of concrete per m2 required for their high-strength products also lowers the carbon footprint and all other environmental impacts.

From figures, to ideas, to optimised production

Going through this process and being presented with these figures, has given Hi-Con ideas and ways of optimising their production while reducing their environmental impacts. One example is minimising their waste by using the excess concrete for casting standard products and selling them or using them elsewhere. Another example is implementing the use of standard moulds, where small alterations can be made.

With a verified EPD, Hi-Con is now capable of documenting the content of the two types of concrete balconies and the environmental footprint they leave – from cradle to grave.

Read more on the Hi-Con website.