LCA results & interpretation HRM 714

Scope and summary

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

Application

HRM 714 fluid-applied rubberized asphalt waterproofing is a 100% solids blend of asphalts, synthetic rubber polymers, and fillers formulated to provide a tough, seamless membrane with flexibility and low water-vapor permeance.

Declared unit

Product density: 10.67 lbs/gal = 1.278 kg/L
Reference flow (kg/m2) = 6 kg/m2

Manufacturing data

Reporting period: January 2025 – December 2025
Locations: Fort Worth, TX and Hampshire, IL

Embodied carbon

Embodied carbon can be defined as the cradle-to-gate (A1-A3) global warming potential impacts. HRM 714 is manufactured at two facilities, and the facility-specific embodied carbon is 3.81E+00 kg CO2-eq for Fort Worth, TX and 3.24E+00 kg CO2-eq for Hampshire, IL.

What’s causing the greatest impacts

All life cycle stages

The raw material acquisition stage dominates the results, accounting for over 73% of the total impacts for nine out of ten TRACI 2.2 impact categories, followed by the manufacturing stage. For global warming, eutrophication, carcinogens, and non-carcinogens, manufacturing accounted for the second-highest contributor and over 17% of the total results. Among the raw materials, the industrial oil 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 industrial oil. Mastic asphalt contributes the highest weight 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 product. 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.

Sensitivity analysis

Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results in areas where the highest potential environmental impacts occur. Since there were two raw materials that contributed the most to total impacts, sensitivity analyses were conducted on their usage to assess the impact of decreasing their presence in these products. A sensitivity analysis assessed a 10% reduction of oil present in the product, using the Fort Worth location as a baseline.

Decreasing the amount of oil by 10% could reduce global warming potential by 4%, which shows that these products are relatively sensitive to the amount of oil present.

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 Raw material acquisition Transport 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
Impacts per declared unit 1.11E-01 mPts 1.64E-02 mPts 5.61E-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 assessment results per declared unit (Fort Worth, TX)

Life cycle stage Raw material acquisition Transport Manufacturing

Ecological damage

Impact category Unit
Total global warming potential, GWP 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.
2.39E+00 3.73E-01 1.05E+00
Global warming potential from biogenic, GWP 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.
2.68E-02 2.28E-05 2.54E-02
Global warming potential from fossil fuels, GWPFOSSIL 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.
2.36E+00 3.73E-01 1.02E+00
Global warming potential from land use and land use change, GWPLULUC 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. GWP 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.
1.19E-03 1.99E-05 3.28E-03
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.
1.68E-07 5.05E-09 2.11E-08
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.
9.63E-03 5.11E-04 5.70E-03
Eutrophication: freshwater kg P eqKilograms of Phosphorus equivalent
Eutrophication: freshwater is the enrichment of freshwater ecosystems with phosphorus, accelerating algal growth and depleting dissolved oxygen, which harms aquatic life.
6.84E-05 1.19E-06 2.17E-05
Eutrophication: marine kg N eqKilograms of Sulfur equivalent
Eutrophication: marine is the enrichment of marine ecosystems with nutrients, accelerating algal growth and depleting dissolved oxygen, which harms marine life.
1.07E-03 6.30E-05 9.46E-04

Life cycle impact assessment results per declared unit (Hampshire, IL)

Life cycle stage Raw material acquisition Transport Manufacturing

Ecological damage

Impact category Unit
Total global warming potential, GWP 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.
2.39E+00 2.87E-01 5.63E-01
Global warming potential from biogenic, GWP 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.
2.68E-02 1.75E-05 1.92E-02
Global warming potential from fossil fuels, GWPFOSSIL 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.
2.36E+00 2.87E-01 5.43E-01
Global warming potential from land use and land use change, GWPLULUC 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. GWP 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.
1.19E-03 1.53E-05 1.02E-03
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.
1.68E-07 3.88E-09 2.18E-08
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.
9.63E-03 3.93E-04 2.04E-03
Eutrophication: freshwater kg P eqKilograms of Phosphorus equivalent
Eutrophication: freshwater is the enrichment of freshwater ecosystems with phosphorus, accelerating algal growth and depleting dissolved oxygen, which harms aquatic life.
6.84E-05 9.14E-07 1.54E-05
Eutrophication: marine kg N eqKilograms of Sulfur equivalent
Eutrophication: marine is the enrichment of marine ecosystems with nutrients, accelerating algal growth and depleting dissolved oxygen, which harms marine life.
1.07E-03 4.85E-05 2.54E-04

References

LCA Background Report
LCA of W. R. MEADOWS Water Resistive and Air Barriers, 2025. Developed using the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) 100-year time, TRACI v2.2, CML, and Cumulative Energy Demand (LHV) impact assessment methodologies, SimaPro 10.2.0.2 software, and ecoinvent v3.11 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

SM Part B: Water-Resistive and Air Barriers; Version 5.0, April 2026. PCR review conducted for conformance to ISO 14025:2006, ISO 21930:2017, and ACLCA PCR Open Standard v1.0 by the following parties: Thomas Gloria, PhD (chair, [email protected]); Terrie Boguski (Harmony Environmental); and C. Jason Pierce (Blue Ridge Sustainability).

Download HRM 714 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 nine 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 water-resistive and air barriers 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 water-resistive and air barriers 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 | v.5 - LEED v5

MR Credit 4: Building Materials Resources Credit (BPSP)

  • Product-specific Type III EPD Multi-attribute score: 1

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

Building product disclosure and optimization

Environmental product declarations

  • Industry-wide (generic) EPD

  • Product-specific Type III EPD

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 points