Process information
| Key Data Set Information | |
| Location | DE |
| Geographical representativeness description | The data set represents the country specific situation in Germany, focusing on the main technologies, the region specific characteristics and / or import statistics. |
| Reference year | 2023 |
| Name |
Base name
; Quantitative product or process properties
EPDM roof sheets; EPDM
|
| Use advice for data set | The data set represents a cradle to gate inventory. It can be used to characterise the supply chain situation of the respective commodity in a representative manner. Combination with individual unit processes using this commodity enables the generation of user-specific (product) LCAs. |
| Technical purpose of product or process | This product can be used in construction. |
| Classification number | 6.3.03 |
| Classification |
Class name
:
Hierarchy level
|
| General comment on data set | This data set has been modeled according to the European Standard EN 15804+A2 for Sustainable Building. Results are depicted in modules that allow the structured expression of results over the entire life cycle. |
| Uncertainty margins | 30 |
| Description | Processes / flows can be missing or estimated. Strongly restricted technological, temporal or geographical representativeness. |
| Copyright | Yes |
| Owner of data set | |
| Quantitative reference | |
| Reference flow(s) | |
| Time representativeness | |
| Data set valid until | 2026 |
| Time representativeness description | Annual average |
| Technological representativeness | |
| Technology description including background system | The life cycle analysis of the EPDM roofing membranes includes the life cycle phases cradle to gate. The system boundary is the product (ready for sale). Transports from the factory to the mounting location are not taken into account and have to be incorporated in a system approach if necessary. Production of EPDM: EPDM is produced by the copolymerization of ethylene and propylene. The polymerization is carried out in solution. The process is run at 10- 50°C and 1- 20 bar in a single continuous stirred tank reactor, a catalyst is used. Because the polymerization is strongly exothermal, cooling is required. Organic solvents like hexane are used. Unreacted propene is recycled and reintroduced into the reactor. The solvent is also recovered. Downstream of the reactor, the reaction is shortstopped with water, alcohol or other polar liquids. The polymer solution is mixed with sodium hydroxide to remove catalyst residues. After adding chemicals like extender oil, the polymer solution is stripped with steam and hot water to remove unreacted monomers and solvents. Antiagglomerants and antifoaming agents may be added to control crumb agglomeration of the rubber product. The product is then passed over a screen and dried. In module C1, a manual dismantling (no loads) is assumed, collecting losses are neglected. The transport in module C2 to the recycling plant takes place with a truck (50km). Module C3 takes into account the grinding and thermal treatment (combustion) of the material. When calculating combustion emissions and credits, the specific calorific value of each material and the material composition are taken into account. In module D credits for the substitution of electricity (German electricity mix) and thermal energy (from natural gas) are given. |
| Flow diagram(s) or picture(s) | |
Modelling and validation
Administrative information
Environmental indicators