Those who have chosen EPDItaly tell themselves: Wieneberger
Interview with Dario Mantovanelli, Project Sales Manager – Wieneberger
What are the main reasons that pushed you towards the voluntary EPD certification?
Our company has always looked with the utmost attention to the evolution of issues relating to environmental sustainability and the circular economy. Our products have unique characteristics, which make them particularly relevant to these materials, so it was a natural path for us to approach the type III environmental label, in order to provide our customers with clear and transparent product traceability.
The WIENERBERGER brick block has obtained the Environmental Product Declaration, what are its main characteristics?
From the point of view of sustainability, bricks offer great advantages: in addition to durability, which makes this material a unique product in the building world, another important added value is linked to the raw materials used to produce them, first of all. ‘clay. These raw materials ensure that the brick can be totally recycled in all its phases, thus ensuring a limited impact of the product on the environment. Added to these elements are a high thermal performance, which allows the construction of nZEB brick buildings, and excellent fire behavior, since the brick is in class A1.
What are the main advantages obtained from the publication of the Environmental Product Declaration? What are the effects on the final consumer?
The extremely technical nature of the EPD document does not make it suitable for a reading by the final consumer, who can, for example, guide him in choosing one product over another. However, the positive effects are still there, and they pass through the CAMs. Thanks also to the Relaunch Decree and the 110% Bonus, which requires compliance with the CAM for the products to be used in energy efficiency and seismic adaptation interventions, a virtuous circle will be created that will stimulate the request for “sustainable” products, with repercussions positive for the environment and for the quality of the buildings and with consequent advantages also for the final consumer.
Do you think that EPDItaly can contribute to spreading the culture of product sustainability?
Absolutely, but a training process for the actors involved in the construction process is essential: I am thinking above all of contracting authorities, construction companies and designers.
How important, in your opinion, is the presence of sustainable Italian products within a Program Operator that makes the international network one of its strengths?
It is certainly important: this type of certifications must be recognized and recognizable internationally, for their more effective and systematic use.