EPDs & LCA
To make the environmental impact of our products fully transparent and comparable, we use Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These provide standardized, independently verified information on the ecological performance of a product across its entire life cycle — from raw material extraction through to disposal or recycling.
Our EPDs are based on internationally recognized standards, including EN 15804 and ISO 14025, and establish a reliable, scientifically grounded data foundation. In doing so, we enable informed, sustainable decision-making for our customers, partners, and stakeholders.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Our Liners
To achieve full transparency over the environmental impacts across the complete product life cycle, RELINE has conducted a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in partnership with Fraunhofer UMSICHT, an independent external research institute.
The assessment examines the environmental performance of our products at every stage — from raw material extraction and manufacturing through installation and use, to end-of-life disposal or recovery.
The analysis goes well beyond greenhouse gas emissions. It also captures a broader range of environmental factors, including resource consumption, water use, ozone formation, and soil acidification.
The findings are clear: within the cradle-to-gate phase, the largest environmental impacts are driven by CO₂e emissions (Global Warming Potential), accounting for 42%, followed closely by resource consumption at 40%.
A closer look at the individual life cycle phases reveals that more than 90% of emissions originate from raw material extraction — meaning the product materials themselves are the dominant factor. By comparison, emissions generated during manufacturing and transport to the construction site play a considerably smaller role, contributing just 8% within the cradle-to-gate scope.
CO₂-Footprint UV-Liner
Environmental Impacts UV-Liner
Cradle-to-gate calculation. Values apply to liners with nominal diameters DN150 to DN300 and a wall thickness of up to 5.1 mm
Role of Materials
When extending the analysis beyond the cradle-to-gate scope to include the installation phase, the LCA results make one thing clear: the environmental impact of installation is negligible. Just 7% of total environmental impacts are attributable to product installation, while 93% originate from product materials and manufacturing — the cradle-to-gate phase.
The majority of environmental impacts in trenchless rehabilitation are attributed to the product itself rather than the installation process.
The Environmental Advantages of Trenchless Rehabilitation Technology
The comparatively low environmental impact during installation is one of the defining advantages of trenchless rehabilitation technology. Compared to conventional open-cut construction methods, full rehabilitation projects can reduce overall environmental impact by approximately 50 to 80%.
Since installation-related impacts are already relatively low, the most powerful lever for decarbonizing the trenchless rehabilitation industry lies in reducing product-related emissions — in other words, driving down the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF).
Comparison of CO₂e emissions between GRP liners and concrete pipes
Compared to rehabilitation with concrete pipes, trenchless rehabilitation using a GRP liner enables a reduction in CO₂e emissions of up to 77%.
