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LCA results & interpretation AIR-SHIELD™

AIR-SHIELD™ AIR-SHIELD™ THRU-WALL FLASHING AIR-SHIELD™ LOW TEMP AIR-SHIELD™ XLT EPD additional content

Scope and summary

  • Cradle to gate
  • Cradle to gate with options
  • Cradle to grave

Application

AIR-SHIELD LOW TEMP is a sheet-applied air barrier designed for cold weather applications, adhering at temperatures as low as 20°F (-7°C). It features a 40mil membrane made from cross-laminated polyethylene and modified asphalt, meeting the Massachusetts Commercial Energy Code and ABAA Section 07261.

Declared unit

Coverage rate (kg/m2) = 1.328 kg/m2

Manufacturing data

Reporting period: January 2023 – December 2023
Location: Hampshire, IL

Sensitivity analysis

Sensitivity analyses were performed to check the robustness of the results where the highest potential environmental impacts are occurring. Since there were two raw materials which contributed the most to total impacts across air and vapor barrier products evaluated, sensitivity analyses were conducted on their usage to assess the impact of decreasing their presence in those products.

Global warming potential was evaluated for sensitivity since W. R. Meadows is interested in the potential CO2-equivalent emissions of its products. Decreasing the amount of styrene butadiene copolymer by 10% could reduce the total GWP by 2.9%, and decreasing the amount of LLDPE resin could lower the total GWP by 13.8%. This shows that global warming potential is sensitive to the amount of LLDPE resin present in the products.

What’s causing the greatest impacts

All life cycle stages

The raw material acquisition stage dominates the results, accounting for over 70% of the total impacts for nine out of ten TRACI 2.1 impact categories, followed by the manufacturing stage. For global warming, eutrophication, carcinogenics, and non-carcinogens, manufacturing accounted for second-highest contributor and over 20% of the total results. Among the raw materials, the polyethylene resin was the largest contributor to the total results.

Raw material acquisition

The raw material acquisition (A1) stage has the most significant contribution to most impact categories, primarily due to the polyethylene resin. The polyethylene resin also contributes the highest percentage to the material composition.

Transportation

The transportation (A2) of raw materials is the least impactful contributor to the total results. Materials are sourced from within America and transported via semi-truck to the manufacturing facility.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing (A3) is the second highest contributor to most impact categories. The primary driver of environmental impacts within the manufacturing stage is the energy required to produce the panels. However, impacts from the manufacturing stage dominate the results for global warming, ozone depletion, and fossil fuel depletion, stemming primarily from the use of electricity and natural gas. Activities in this stage also include final product packaging and manufacturing waste disposal.

Embodied carbon

Embodied carbon can be defined as the cradle-to-gate (A1-A3) global warming potential impacts. The total embodied carbon per declared unit of AIR-SHIELD™ LOW TEMP is 2.32E+00 kg CO2-eq.

How we're making it greener


  • W. R. MEADOWS utilizes OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) to optimize manufacturing processes and reduce energy consumption.
  • OEE identifies inefficiencies and wasted energy: By monitoring equipment performance, it uncovers downtime, slow speeds, and quality defects.
  • Energy-saving improvements through OEE: Meadows has achieved streamlined processes, better scheduling, reduced machine wear, and lower energy costs.
  • Reduction in scrap and waste: OEE insights help identify performance issues, reducing defects, delays, and material waste while enhancing product quality.
  • Supports sustainability and environmental goals: By lowering energy use and cutting carbon footprints, OEE fosters more sustainable manufacturing practices.

See how we make it greener

LCA results

Life cycle stage A1 Raw material acquisition A2 Transport A3 Manufacturing

Information modules:
Included (X) | Excluded (MND)*

*Modules A4, A5, B, C, and D are excluded.

 (X) A1 Raw material acquisition (X) A2 Transport (X) A3 Manufacturing

SM Single Score

Learn about SM Single Score results
Impacts per declared unit 1.56E-01 mPts 8.27E-03 mPts 2.09E-02 mPts
Materials or processes contributing >20% to total impacts in each life cycle stage Extraction and preprocessing of polymers, mastic asphalt, and other raw materials. Truck transportation to manufacturing facility. Electricity and natural gas consumption during the manufacturing process.

Life cycle impact results per declared unit

Life cycle stage A1 Raw material supply A2 Transport A3 Manufacturing

Ecological damage

Impact category Unit
GWP, IPCC TOTAL kg CO2 eqKilograms of Carbon Dioxide equivalent
Global warming potential 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. GWP leads to problems in human health, agriculture, forest, water source, and damage to species and biodiversity as well as coastal areas. IPCCtotal is calculated based on IPCC 2013 AR5, inclusive of fossil and biogenic CO2eq.		 1.97E+00 1.38E-01 2.52E-01
GWP, IPCC BIOGENIC 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. IPCCbiogenic reflects the biogenic carbon removals and emissions from products and packaging.		 -1.80E-02 0.00E+00 1.80E-02
GWP, IPCC FOSSIL 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. IPCCfossil excludes effects from biogenic carbon.		 1.98E+00 1.38E-01 2.34E-01
GWP, TRACI 2.1 TOTAL 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. The TRACI 2.1 total is the sum of TRACI 2.1 biogenic and TRACI 2.1 fossil results.		 1.92E+00 1.37E-01 2.60E-01
GWP, TRACI 2.1 BIOGENIC 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. TRACI 2.1 biogenic results reflect the biogenic carbon removals and emissions from products and packaging.		 -1.80E-02 0.00E+00 1.80E-02
GWP, TRACI 2.1 FOSSIL 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. The TRACI 2.1 fossil value reflects the default GWP value generated using the EPA methodology which excludes biogenic carbon by default.		 1.94E+00 1.37E-01 2.42E-01
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 systems (marine life, agricultural crops, and other vegetation) and causes damage to human-built materials. 		3.58E-07 1.97E-09 9.62E-09
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. 		7.58E-03 3.38E-04 1.21E-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.		 1.61E-03 2.30E-05 4.22E-04

Human health damage

Impact category Unit
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.		 1.00E-01 8.67E-03 2.07E-02
Respiratory effects kg PM2.5 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.		 1.16E-03 4.65E-05 2.27E-04

Additional environmental information

Impact category Unit
Carcinogenics CTUh Comparative Toxic Units of Human cancerous toxicity
Carcinogens have the potential to form cancers in humans. 		77.89% 0.82% 21.29%
Non-carcinogenics CTUh Comparative Toxic Units of Human non-cancerous toxicity
Non-Carcinogens have the potential to causes non-cancerous adverse impacts to human health. 		51.84% 7.53% 40.63%
Ecotoxicity CTUe Comparative Toxic Units of Ecotoxicity
Ecotoxicity causes negative impacts to ecological receptors and, indirectly, to human receptors through the impacts to the ecosystem.		 87.85% 6.41% 5.75%
Fossil fuel depletion MJ surplus Mega Joule, lower heating value
Fossil fuel depletion is the surplus energy to extract minerals and fossil fuels. 		7.46E+00 2.61E-01 2.81E-01

References

LCA Background Report
LCA of W. R. MEADOWS Water Resistive and Air Barriers, 2025. Developed using the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) 100-year time, TRACI v2.1, CML, and Cumulative Energy Demand (LHV) impact assessment methodologies, SimaPro Analyst 9.6 software, and ecoinvent v3.10 and US-EI 2.2 databases.

ISO 14025:2006 Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental declarations — Principles and procedures

ISO 21930:2017, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works -- Core rules for environmental product declarations of construction products and services

ASTM PCR for Water-Resistive and Air Barriers (UNCPC 54530 and/or CSI MasterFormat DESIGNATIONS 072500, 072600 and 072700); Version 3.0, September 2024. PCR review conducted by Thomas Gloria, PhD (chair, [email protected]); Graham Finch (RDH, Building Science, Inc.) and Paul H. Shipp (USG Corporation).

Download AIR-SHIELD™ LOW TEMP PDF SM Transparency Report [EPD]

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. Comparison of the environmental performance using EPD information shall consider all relevant information modules over the full life cycle of the products within the building. This PCR allows EPD comparability only when the same functional requirements between products are ensured and the requirements of ISO 21930:2017 §5.5 are met. It should be noted that different LCA software and background LCI datasets may lead to differences results for upstream or downstream of the life cycle stages declared. LCIA results are relative expressions and do not predict impacts on category endpoints, the exceeding of thresholds, safety margins or risks. These six impact categories are globally deemed mature enough to be included in Type III environmental declarations. Other categories are being developed and defined and LCA should continue making advances in their development. However, the EPD users shall not use additional measures for comparative purposes. Comparison of the environmental performance of structural and architectural wood products using EPD information shall be based on the product’s use and impacts at the construction works level, and therefore EPDs may not be used for comparability purposes when not considering the construction works energy use phase as instructed under this PCR. Full conformance with the PCR for structural and architectural wood products 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 Part B PCR, and use equivalent scenarios with respect to construction works. However, variations and deviations are possible. Example of variations: Different LCA software and background LCI datasets may lead to differences results for 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 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

Building product disclosure and optimization

Environmental product declarations

  • Industry-wide (generic) EPD 1 product

  • Product-specific Type III EPD 1.5 products

Green Globes for New Construction and Sustainable Interiors

Materials and resources

  • NC 3.5.1.2 Path B: Prescriptive Path for Building Core and Shell

  • NC 3.5.2.2 and SI 4.1.2 Path B: Prescriptive Path for Interior Fit-outs

BREEAM New Construction 2018

Mat 02 - Environmental impacts from construction products

Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)

  • Industry-average EPD .5 points

  • Multi-product specific EPD .75 points

  • Product-specific EPD 1 point

  • VERIFICATION LCA
  • 3rd-party reviewed
  • Transparency Report (EPD)
  • 3rd-party verified

Validity: 05/27/25 – 05/27/30
SM-WRM – 05272025 – 007


This Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) was externally verified by Lindita Bushi, PhD, Senior Research Associate at Athena, in accordance with ISO 21930:2017, ASTM International. (2023). Product Category Rules (PCR) for Preparing an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Water-Resistive and Air Barriers as well as ISO 14025:2006.

Athena Sustainable Materials Institute
600 Grings Hill Road
Sinking Spring, PA 19608
https://www.athenasmi.org/
(610) 985-0933

SUMMARY

Reference PCR
ASTM PCR for Water-Resistive and Air Barriers

Regions; system boundaries
North America; Cradle-to-gate

Declared unit: 1 m2

LCIA methodology: TRACI 2.1

LCA software; LCI database
SimaPro Developer 9.6; ecoinvent v3.10, US-EI 2.2

Public LCA:
LCA of W. R. MEADOWS Water-Resistive and Air Barriers

In accordance with ISO 14044 and the reference PCR, this life cycle assessment was conducted by Sustainable Minds and reviewed by Lindita Bushi, PhD, Senior Research Associate, at Athena.

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W.R. MEADOWS, Inc.
300 Industrial Drive
P.O. Box 338
Hampshire, IL 60140-0338
wrmeadows.com
(800) 342-5976