Heidelberg receives funding for environmental impact tool

EPA funding will help develop an AI-based tool for creating high-quality EEPs for construction materials

Heidelberg Materials North America has been awarded up to US$5 million in funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a cloud-based tool designed to assist concrete, cement, aggregates, and asphalt facilities in efficiently producing high-quality Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

EPDs are standardised reports detailing a product’s lifecycle assessment and its environmental impact. In the construction industry, these declarations are crucial for transparency, especially regarding the carbon footprint of materials. The new tool aims to automate the EPD creation process using AI, reducing the need for manual data collection and third-party verification. This automation will speed up the verification of environmental impacts, allowing new products to reach the market sooner.

In a statement, Dennis Lentz, chief digital officer and member of the managing board of Heidelberg Materials, said: "The EPA’s support underscores our commitment to developing digital solutions that enhance sustainability in our industry. This project will help decarbonise our operations, improve efficiency, and benefit our customers."

Chris Ward, president & CEO of Heidelberg Materials North America, added: "With this funding, we can promote more sustainable construction materials and provide greater transparency. This will help our customers make better-informed choices regarding products with lower carbon footprints."

This funding is part of the EPA’s initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in construction materials and products. Heidelberg Materials is one of 38 recipients awarded nearly $160 million in total to support efforts in reporting and reducing the climate impact of manufacturing construction materials.