The conclusions of the study concern the LCA-results for the comparison of the concrete sewer
pipe system (DN 250 mm) with the PVC-U multilayer with a core of foam and recyclates sewer pipe
system (DN/OD 250 mm), from the cradle to the grave: from the primary extraction of raw
materials, up till the final disassembling and EoL treatment of both sewer pipe systems at the end
of their service life (100 years).
Final version of the EPD Comparison report for PVC Foam Core with Recyclate vs Concrete including the Denkstatt review-March2014
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of a PVC-U multilayer sewer pipe system with a core of foam and recyclates versus a concrete (250 mm) sewer pipe system.
DEFINITION OF THE GOAL OF THE STUDY
The goal of this comparative LCA study is twofold. A first goal of the study is to gain insight in the position of the PVC-U multilayer pipe system with a core of foam and recyclates (DN/OD 250 mm) compared to a commonly applied alternative for what regards the environmental aspects. Therefore TEPPFA wants a comparative LCA, consistent with ISO 14040 series LCA standards, which compares the environmental performance of the TEPPFA PVC-U multilayer pipe system with a core of foam and recyclates (DN/OD 250 mm) with an alternative concrete sewer pipe system (DN 250 mm).
A second objective is the communication of the results to a broad public. The results will be disclosed to the public by all means including online and printed documents. This Third party report will be made available to interested parties on request and previous approval of TEPPFA management.
Since TEPPFA plans to make the results of the LCA studies available for the general public, according to (ISO 14040, 2006) and (ISO 14044, 2006) a critical review of the LCA study is required. Different to the ISO requirements for comparative LCA studies TEPPFA did not compose a review panel, but commissioned a critical review by an external expert independent of the LCA study. This critical review was performed by denkstatt GmbH (see chapter 6 for the critical review statement).
DEFINITION OF THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study is defined in the functional unit. The functional unit is closely related to the function(s) fulfilled by the investigated systems.
The function of the PVC-U multilayer pipe system with a core of foam and recyclates and the concrete sewer pipe system is to transport (gravity discharge) a certain amount of sewage from the entrance of a public sewer system to the entrance of the waste water treatment plant. In consultation with TEPPFA, its steering committee and the Application Group Civils the definition of the function and the functional unit of the sewer pipe systems was discussed. The basic assumption was that the definition of the functional unit should represent the function of the sewer pipe system over its entire life cycle: raw material extraction, material production, production of the pipes and fittings, the construction phase, the use phase and the processing of the waste at the end of life of the pipes and fittings.
The functional unit for this comparative LCA for sewer pipe systems has been defined as: “the below ground gravity transportation of sewage over a distance of 100 m by a typical public European PVC-U multilayer pipe system with a core of foam and recyclates (DN/OD 250 mm) or by an alternative concrete sewer pipe system (DN 250 mm) from the entrance of a public sewer system to the entrance of the waste water treatment plant, over its complete service life cycle of 100 years, calculated per year”.