Transparency Catalog

LCA results & interpretation Havelock Wool Batt and Loose-fill Insulation

Scope and summary

Cradle to gate
Cradle to gate with options
Cradle to grave

Application

Havelock has applied unique insulating technology to traditional batt and loose-fill insulation. They are made with 100% wool, no synthetic mix, and are bonded with a needle punch, not chemicals. The applications for this insulation include thermal and acoustical treatments to walls for residential purposes. Insulation is delivered to the installation site pre-packaged and easy to install.

Functional unit

Reference service life: 75 years. One square meter of installed insulation material, packaging included, with a thickness that gives an average thermal resistance of RSI=1m2·K/W over a period of 75 years.

Batts

Reference flow: .997 kg per m^2

Thickness: .0399 m

Loose-fill

Reference flow: .607 kg per m^2

Thickness: .0335 m

Manufacturing data

Reporting period: January 2019-December 2019

Location: Reno, NV

Data represents a mix of primary data from Havelock on the production of the insulation products (gate-to-gate) and background data from SimaPro databases. The quality is considered to be high and representative of the described systems. Data for material processing and product manufacturing were collected in a consistent manner and were checked for plausibility of inputs and outputs to ensure high quality.

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Default installation, packaging, and disposal scenarios

During manufacturing stage, 1652 kg/yr of metal straps and nylon bale wraps, used for acquisition of raw material, are recycled.

At the installation site, insulation products are unpackaged and installed by hand with a blowing machine or a staple gun. The potential impact of the blower is included in this study. The thickness and density of batts being is .0399m and 24.98 kg/m^3 and thickness and density of loose-fill is .0335m and 18.1 kg/m^3.

Plastic packaging waste is disposed (100% to landfill), and no maintenance, replacements, refurbishments, or operational energy/water use is required to achieve the product's life span during use; use is strictly for insulation in walls. After removal, the insulation is meant to be composted or it can be landfilled.

What’s causing the greatest impacts

All life cycle stages

The raw material acquisition and manufacturing stages (A1-A3) and the distribution transportation (A4) dominate the results for all impact categories. Ecotoxicity, Fossil fuel depletion, and global warming potential are the most impacted categories. The impacts are from the use of boric acid, transportation of raw materials to the manufacturing facility and transportation for distribution of the product.

End of life (C1-C4)

Wool is a biogenic material, which is a material produced directly by the physiologic activities of organisms, either plant or animal. Havelock encourages composting as the optimal end of life method. However, when wool is landfilled, it is anticipated that it biodegrades after 6 months. No substances required to be reported as hazardous are associated with the production of this product.

Interpretation of results

Overall, over 80% of the impacts are in A1-A3. The results show that the largest area for reduction of each product’s environmental impact is in the raw material acquisition and manufacturing phase. The impacts in the stage are largely due to transportation from raw material acquisition site to the plant. This is an important area for Havelock to focus its efforts and one which it can influence.

Different end of life scenarios were compared: compost vs landfill and it was found that in both cases, the overall impacts due to end of life scenarios are negligible; the contribution of end of life scenario is less than 2% of overall impacts, therefore holds little significance.

How we're making it greener

Havelock Wool has established itself around the concept of the circular economy; Havelock aims at eliminating waste and the continual use of non-renewable resources by using waste from other industries and creating a product that can be returned to the economy.

Raw material acquisition: Havelock purchases sheep wool as a biproduct of the meat production industry. By using this wool, Havelock reduces its impacts by eliminating the impacts associated with sheep husbandry.

Waste management: Havelock practices healthy waste management through composting; waste from the manufacturing process (wool dust) is composted and the final product at end of life can also be composted.

Energy consumption: Havelock uses minimal energy during the manufacturing stage and it is looking for ways to get electricity from renewable resources.

Havelock is continuously finding ways to make improvements to their product and to their process. Havelock will make use of this EPD to make evidence based decisions regarding their product and supply chain.

See how we make it greener

LCA results

Life cycle stage	A1-A3 Raw material acquisition and manufacturing	A4 Transportation	A5, B1-B7 Installation and maintenance	C2 Transportation	C4 Disposal/reuse/ recycling
Information modules: Included \| Stages C1, C3, and D are not applicable *In the installation and maintenance phase, packaging waste and electricity or gas used by the insulation blowing machines in module A5 are the only contributors to the potential impacts.	x A1 Raw Materials	x A4 Transporation/ Delivery	x A5 Construction/ Installation	x C2 Transportation	x C4 Disposal
	x A2 Transportation		x B1 Use
	x A3 Manufacturing		x B2 Maintenance
			x B3 Repair
			x B4 Replacement
			x B5 Refurbishment
			x B6 Operational energy use
			x B7 Operational water use

Batts: SM Single Score

Learn about SM Single Score results

Impacts per 75 years of service	3.83E-04 mPts	2.58E-05 mPts	6.10E-06 mPts	5.76E-06 mPts	3.90E-06 mPts
Materials or processes contributing >20% to total impacts in each life cycle stage	Boric acid used in the production of the insulation.	Truck and trailer, 16-32T used to transport product to building site.	Transportation to disposal and disposing of packaging materials.	Transportation to composting site.	Compost of product.

Batts: TRACI v2.1 results per functional unit

Life cycle stage	Raw material acquisition and manufacturing	Transportation	Installation and maintenance	Transportation	Disposal/reuse/ recycling

Ecological damage

Impact category	Unit
Acidification	kg SO₂ eq Kilograms of Sulfur Dioxide equivalent Acidification processes increase the acidity of water and soil systems and causes damage to lakes, streams, rivers and various plants and animals as well as building materials, paints and other human-built structures.	1.37E-02	1.71E-03	6.17E-04	4.90E-04	1.83E-03
Eutrophication	kg N eqKilograms of Nitrogen equivalent Eutrophication is the enrichment of an aquatic ecosystem with nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) that accelerate biological productivity (growth of algae and weeds) and an undesirable accumulation of algal biomass which impacts industry, agriculture, drinking, fishing and recreation and causes death of fish and shellfish, toxicity to humans, marine mammals and livestock, and reduces biodiversity.	2.79E-03	2.05E-04	3.64E-05	5.24E-05	8.12E-05
Global warming	kg CO₂ eqKilograms of Carbon Dioxide equivalent Global warming is an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to change in global climate patterns and is caused by the increase of the sources of greenhouse gases and decrease of the sinks due to deforestation and land use. GW leads to problems in human health, agriculture, forest, water source and damage to species and biodiversity as well as coastal areas.	2.63E+00	3.62E-01	5.33E-02	8.11E-02	4.17E-02
Ozone depletion	kg CFC-11 eq Kilograms of Trichlorofluoromethane equivalent Ozone depletion is the reduction of ozone in the stratosphere caused by the release of ozone depleting chemicals. Ozone depletion can increases ultraviolet B radiation to the earth which can adversely affect human health (skin cancer and cataracts and immune-system suppression) and other system (marine life, agricultural crops, and other vegetation) and causes damage to human-built materials.	1.84E-07	7.07E-08	8.19E-11	1.59E-08	3.48E-09
Smog	kg O₃ eqKilograms of Ozone equivalent Smog formation (photochemical oxidant formation) is the formation of ozone molecules in the troposphere by complex chemical reactions which are influenced by ambient concentrations of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the mix of organic compounds (OCs), temperature, sunlight and convective flows. Ozone concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere above the natural trace amounts lead to detrimental impacts on human health and ecosystems.	2.91E-01	4.39E-02	1.88E-02	1.37E-02	1.52E-03

Human health damage

Impact category	Unit
Carcinogenics	CTU_h Comparative Toxic Units of Human cancerous toxicity Carcinogens have the potential to form cancers in humans.	1.17E-07	4.60E-09	8.84E-10	9.41E-10	7.77E-10
Non-carcinogenics	CTU_h Comparative Toxic Units of Human non-cancerous toxicity Non-Carcinogens have the potential to causes non-cancerous adverse impacts to human health.	4.00E-07	2.87E-08	8.48E-09	5.92E-09	3.07E-09
Respiratory effects	kg PM_2.5 eqKilograms of Particulate Matter equivalent which are smaller than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameter Particulate matter concentrations have a strong influence on chronic and acute respiratory symptoms and mortality rates.	5.04E-03	1.13E-04	1.01E-05	2.88E-05	5.64E-05

Additional environmental information

Impact category	Unit
Ecotoxicity	CTU_e Comparative Toxic Units of Ecotoxicity Ecotoxicity causes negative impacts to ecological receptors and, indirectly, to human receptors through the impacts to the ecosystem.	4.31E+00	2.23E-01	1.64E-01	4.59E-02	1.58E-02
Fossil fuel depletion	MJ surplus Mega Joule, lower heating value Fossil fuel depletion is the surplus energy to extract minerals and fossil fuels.	3.09E+00	7.31E-01	1.23E-01	1.64E-01	3.26E-02

Loose-fill: SM Single Score

Learn about SM Single Score results

Impacts per 75 years of service	2.51E-04 mPts	3.37E-05 mPts	7.25E-06 mPts	6.80E-06 mPts	4.61E-06 mPts
Materials or processes contributing >20% to total impacts in each life cycle stage	Boric acid used in the production of the insulation.	Truck and trailer, 16-32T used to transport product to building site.	Transportation to disposal and disposing of packaging materials.	Transportation to composting Site.	Compost of product.

Loose-fill: TRACI v2.1 results per functional unit

Life cycle stage	Raw material acquisition and manufacturing	Transportation	Installation and maintenance	Transportation	Disposal/reuse/ recycling

Ecological damage

Impact category	Unit
Acidification	kg SO₂ eq Kilograms of Sulfur Dioxide equivalent Acidification processes increase the acidity of water and soil systems and causes damage to lakes, streams, rivers and various plants and animals as well as building materials, paints and other human-built structures.	1.13E-02	2.87E-03	7.34E-04	5.80E-04	2.16E-.03
Eutrophication	kg N eqKilograms of Nitrogen equivalent Eutrophication is the enrichment of an aquatic ecosystem with nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) that accelerate biological productivity (growth of algae and weeds) and an undesirable accumulation of algal biomass which impacts industry, agriculture, drinking, fishing and recreation and causes death of fish and shellfish, toxicity to humans, marine mammals and livestock, and reduces biodiversity.	1.88E-03	3.07E-04	4.35E-05	6.19E-05	9.60E-05
Global warming	kg CO₂ eqKilograms of Carbon Dioxide equivalent Global warming is an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to change in global climate patterns and is caused by the increase of the sources of greenhouse gases and decrease of the sinks due to deforestation and land use. GW leads to problems in human health, agriculture, forest, water source and damage to species and biodiversity as well as coastal areas.	1.76E+00	4.75E-01	6.36E-02	9.58E-02	4.93E-02
Ozone depletion	kg CFC-11 eq Kilograms of Trichlorofluoromethane equivalent Ozone depletion is the reduction of ozone in the stratosphere caused by the release of ozone depleting chemicals. Ozone depletion can increases ultraviolet B radiation to the earth which can adversely affect human health (skin cancer and cataracts and immune-system suppression) and other system (marine life, agricultural crops, and other vegetation) and causes damage to human-built materials.	1.13E-07	9.29E-08	2.91E-10	1.87E-08	4.11E-09
Smog	kg O₃ eqKilograms of Ozone equivalent Smog formation (photochemical oxidant formation) is the formation of ozone molecules in the troposphere by complex chemical reactions which are influenced by ambient concentrations of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the mix of organic compounds (OCs), temperature, sunlight and convective flows. Ozone concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere above the natural trace amounts lead to detrimental impacts on human health and ecosystems.	2.73E-01	8.05E-02	2.23E-02	1.62E-02	1.79E-03

Human health damage

Impact category	Unit
Carcinogenics	CTU_h Comparative Toxic Units of Human cancerous toxicity Carcinogens have the potential to form cancers in humans.	7.32E-08	5.51E-09	1.05E-09	1.11E-09	9.18E-10
Non-carcinogenics	CTU_h Comparative Toxic Units of Human non-cancerous toxicity Non-Carcinogens have the potential to causes non-cancerous adverse impacts to human health.	2.65E-07	3.47E-08	1.01E-08	6.99E-09	3.63E-09
Respiratory effects	kg PM_2.5 eqKilograms of Particulate Matter equivalent which are smaller than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameter Particulate matter concentrations have a strong influence on chronic and acute respiratory symptoms and mortality rates.	3.12E-03	1.69E-04	1.24E-05	3.41E-05	6.67E-05

Additional environmental information

Impact category	Unit
Ecotoxicity	CTU_e Comparative Toxic Units of Ecotoxicity Ecotoxicity causes negative impacts to ecological receptors and, indirectly, to human receptors through the impacts to the ecosystem.	3.02E+00	2.69E-01	1.94E-01	5.42E-02	1.87E-02
Fossil fuel depletion	MJ surplus Mega Joule, lower heating value Fossil fuel depletion is the surplus energy to extract minerals and fossil fuels.	2.18E+00	9.59E-01	1.48E-01	1.93E-01	3.86E-02

References

Havelock Wool LCA Background Report, May 2020.

Havelock 2020. SimaPro Analyst 9.0.0.49, EcoInvent 3.1, 2.2 database.

ULE PCR Part A: Life Cycle Assessment Calculation Rules and Report Requirements v3.1

May 2, 2018. Technical Advisory Panel members reviewed and provided feedback on content written by UL Environment and USGBC. Past and present members of the Technical Advisory Panel are listed in the PCR.

ULE PCR Part B: Building Envelope Thermal Insulation

Version 2.0, April 2018. PCR review conducted by Thomas Gloria, PhD (chair, [email protected]); Andre Desjarlais; and Christoph Koffler, PhD.

ISO 14025, “Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works -- Core rules for environmental product declarations of construction products and services”, ISO21930:2017

Independent external verification of the declaration and data, according to ISO 14025.

Download PDF SM Transparency Report/Material Health Overview, which includes the additional EPD content required by the PCR.

SM Transparency Reports (TR) are ISO 14025 Type III environmental declarations (EPD) that enable purchasers and users to compare the potential environmental performance of products on a life cycle basis. Environmental declarations from different programs (ISO 14025) may not be comparable. They are designed to present information transparently to make limitations of comparability more understandable. Limitations of LCA results for products represent production volumes for the Reno, NV facility only. TRs/EPDs of products that conform to the same PCR and include the same life cycle stages, but are made by different manufacturers, may not sufficiently align to support direct comparisons. They therefore, cannot be used as comparative assertions unless the conditions defined in ISO 14025 Section 6.7.2. 'Requirements for Comparability' are satisfied. Comparison of the environmental performance of building envelope thermal insulation using EPD information shall be based on the products use and impacts at the building level, and therefore EPDs may not be used for comparability purposes when not considering the building energy use phase as instructed under the PCR. Environmental declarations from different programs based upon differing PCRs may not be comparable. Full conformance with the PCR for building envelope thermal insulation allows EPD comparability only when all stages of a life cycle have been considered, when they comply with all referenced standards, use the same sub-category PCR and use equivalent scenarios with respect to construction works. Compliance with model building codes does not always ensure compliance with state or local building codes, with may be amended versions of these model codes. Always check with local building code officials to confirm compliance. However, variations and deviations are possible. Example variations: Different LCA software and background LCI data sets may lead to different results upstream or downstream of the life cycle stages declared.

Rating systems

The intent is to reward project teams for selecting products from manufacturers who have verified improved life-cycle environmental performance.

LEED BD+C: New Construction | v4 - LEED v4

Building product disclosure and optimization

Environmental product declarations

Industry-wide (generic) EPD ½ product
Product-specific Type III EPD 1 Product

LEED BD+C: New Construction | v4.1 - LEED v4.1