Web-based EPD tool for lifecycle perspective for aggregate production
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB - Institutionen för industri och materialvetenskap |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 590 825 |
| Project duration | May 2019 - February 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-driven innovation - Phase 2 Collaboration |
| Call | Challenge-driven innovation - Stage 2 Collaboration 2019 (spring) |
Important results from the project
The aim of this project has been to create a tool for the aggregate industry which can a) produce EPDs more efficiently with a closer connection to real operating conditions; b) help predict future environmental performance based on current operations. This is done in an online simulation platform which can calculate mid-point environmental impacts for key environmental impact categories outlined by EN standards. By connecting the environmental impact to operational conditions the user can identify where large impacts occur and what is causing them.
Expected long term effects
The tool has been tested on a number of participants with good results. Two EPD reports generated with the tool are also undergoing a review from a third party verifier. After an approved review, they will become publicly available. Initial benchmarking with available machine-readable EPDs show great potential for system integration with external tools and an opportunity to use the EPDs in decision-making processes integrated with the tool.
Approach and implementation
The project has been conducted through a collaboration between a university, a research institute and an SME together with three aggregate producers in Sweden. A beta version of the tool has been developed and tested within the project. The findings have been communicated to the industry itself through workshops and seminars held by SBMI and UEPG, who are working with guidance on an EU level for EPDs for aggregates; and to a broader international audience through scientific papers, a licentiate thesis, and at the digital WorldExpo in Dubai as part of Sweden Innovation Days.