PCR: new entries in EPDItaly

Developing a Product Category Rule (PCR) is crucial for many reasons, especially when it comes to assessing and communicating the environmental impact of a product or product category.

As we know, a PCR ensures several requirements including comparability in environmental assessments, transparency and effective communication of its impacts by helping consumers make informed decisions to support them in making sustainable purchasing decisions.

EPDItaly incorporates the needs of the market precisely by developing PCRs in multiple areas. The latest published PCRs refer to:

PCR Granulated and Micronized Mineral from Mining

From the collaboration with Basalti Orvieto srl came the work done for the development of PCR on granulated and micronized mineral from mining. Its main use is as an additive in the animal husbandry, agribusiness, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, wastewater purification, painting and construction sectors, depending on the characteristics and chemical composition of the source rock. The scope of products covered by this PCR, however, excludes construction products, for which specific PCRs already exist.

Micronized rocks represent a fundamental and often overlooked element in the world of science and agriculture. These finely ground minerals from various geological sources are gaining popularity for their many uses in the agricultural, industrial, and environmental sectors.

Some positive characteristics that make their use beneficial are listed below:

• Micronized rocks are a valuable source of essential nutrients for plants and soil. They contain a wide range of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and many others. These elements are crucial for healthy plant growth and development, contributing to higher crop yields and quality;
• Micronized rocks have the ability to act as soil amendments. They help balance the pH of the soil, improving its structure and increasing its ability to retain water and nutrients. This creates an optimal environment for plant growth, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers;
• The use of micronized rocks is in line with the goal of promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, it helps minimize the environmental impact associated with agricultural production. This transition to more sustainable methods is critical to preserving long-term soil health.

The PCR on granulated and micronized mineral from mining is a core PCR, the drafting and definition of which involved the participation of numerous Stakeholders in handling the comments received. The final version of the document has been available on the EPDItaly website since September 25 of this year. The PRC is applicable nationwide to CPC codes:

1520 – Gypsum; anhydrite; limestone flux; limestone and other calcareous stone, of a kind used for the manufacture of lime or cement;

1532 – Pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone, macadam; granules, chippings and powder of stone.

PCR for the agricultural sector

It is, however, as a result of Agricooltur spa’s proactivity that the need to develop a PCR on aeroponic systems arose. The PCR under development is a core PCR that will allow modeling and evaluation of the environmental impacts of the category of products that fall under the CPC code:

441 – Agricultural or forestry machinery and parts thereof.

With this PCR, EPDItaly opens up to a new slice of the market, covering an entirely new sector for which there are no PCRs from other Program Operators.

To go into more detail about the products made by the applicant company, aeroponic systems are a hydroponic growing method in which plant roots are exposed to air and sprayed with a nutrient solution. Some key features of these systems are given in the following list:

• Root misting: in the aeroponic system, plant roots are suspended in an enclosed environment, and a pump periodically mists a nutrient solution directly onto the roots. This allows the plants to receive air and nutrients more efficiently, as the vaporized water contains dissolved oxygen and nutrients, ensuring better uptake by the roots;
• Efficient use of water: aeroponic systems use less water than traditional growing systems because water is continuously recycled within the system. This makes this technique ideal for areas with limited or drought-prone water resources;
• Accelerated plant growth: plants grown in aeroponic systems tend to grow faster than those grown in soil, in part because of the greater availability of oxygen to the roots. This can lead to larger yields in a shorter period of time;
• Reduced risk of disease and pests: because roots are suspended in air and not submerged in a moist substrate, aeroponic systems may be less susceptible to plant diseases and pest infestations;
• Precise nutrient control: in aeroponic systems, the composition and concentration of the nutrient solution can be precisely adjusted, ensuring that plants receive exactly what they need to grow optimally;
• Lower environmental impact: reduced water use and the ability to recycle nutrient solution can reduce environmental impact compared to traditional agriculture.