Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association Sets Industry Standard With LCA, Driving Continuous Improvement and Product Optimization
Executive summary
SSC partnered with Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association, to conduct an industry-wide Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that established benchmarks for the environmental impacts of PVC pipe products. By collecting data across multiple manufacturers and facilities, SSC created an industry standard for each participating manufacturer to compare themselves to, such as global warming potential, water use, and waste. This allows the manufacturers to benchmark against the industry average to determine the overall environmental impacts of their products. Over a five-year period, the follow-up LCA revealed 6% reductions in environmental impacts, driven by improvements in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and process optimization. Beyond benchmarking, SSC supported members with education, strategies for continuous improvement, and pathways for developing individual Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). The project demonstrated the value of a multi-attribute approach to sustainability, highlighting PVC pipe’s durability, recyclability, and long-term performance benefits.
Key Findings
Industry-Wide Benchmarking:
Collected data from multiple manufacturers and facilities to establish industry average environmental impacts of PVC pipe production.Continuous Improvement:
The LCA demonstrated 6% reductions in environmental impacts over five years, including improvements in energy use, waste, and water efficiency.Member Education:
Provided members with insights into how they compared against industry averages, along with strategies for reducing impacts.Multi-Attribute Sustainability:
Highlighted PVC pipe’s durability, resistance to corrosion, low pumping energy during use, and recyclability at end-of-life.Scalable Benefits:
Industry-wide LCA provided a cost-effective foundation for members to develop individual LCAs and EPDs.
Results
Established an industry-wide environmental performance benchmark for PVC pipe.
Demonstrated 6% reduction in environmental impacts over five years demonstrating product optimization compared to the previous LCA.
Educated members on performance relative to the industry average and pathways for improvement.
Showcased product benefits beyond carbon footprint, including durability, energy efficiency in use, and recyclability.
Gave the members the option to cost-effectively pursue individual EPDs using shared models and data
“This industry-wide LCA allowed manufacturers to see where they stood, compare to the industry average, and take measurable steps toward reducing their footprint.”
Tad Radzinski, PE, SEP, LEED AP, SFP
President & Co-Founder, Sustainable Solutions Corporation
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The Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association sought to understand and communicate the sustainability of PVC pipe products. With growing demand for transparency and measurable improvement, the association engaged SSC to conduct an industry-wide Life Cycle Assessment. The goal was to set a reliable baseline, track progress over time, and equip members with tools to continuously improve and communicate product sustainability attributes.
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SSC conducted an industry-wide LCA for Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association. We collected data from numerous manufacturers and facilities to capture an accurate cross-section of the industry. The LCAs assessed key impacts, including global warming potential, embodied energy, water use, and waste generation, while accounting for improvements in PVC resin data quality as well as manufacturers operational improvements based on what they learned in the previous LCA. SSC educated members on how they compared to the industry average and provided suggestions for reducing impacts through energy efficiency, process optimization, and waste minimization. Beyond carbon, SSC applied a multi-attribute sustainability approach that considered durability, corrosion resistance, use phase energy efficiency, and recyclability. This holistic methodology not only validated environmental improvements but also helped the association and its members communicate the broader sustainability benefits of PVC pipe.
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Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an analytical tool used to comprehensively quantify and interpret the environmental impacts of the entire life cycle of a product or operation. An LCA takes a deeper look at each stage of a product's life, from raw material extraction to end-of-life management.
Download the PVC Pipe Industry-Wide LCA & EPD
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