SOFTWARE
GCCA Industry EPD Tool
EPD Tool for cement and concrete
Sector-specific LCA and EPD calculations powered by openLCA
The GCCA Industry EPD Tool is a web-based LCA and EPD solution developed for the cement and concrete industry. Developed in collaboration with the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the tool enables manufacturers to calculate environmental impacts and prepare EPD documentation without requiring extensive LCA expertise.
The tool is based on openLCA and combines a pre-verified life cycle model with sector-specific background data, product-specific inputs, and a guided workflow for EPD generation. It supports the complete product chain from aggregates and clinker to cement, concrete, and precast products.
Simplifying LCA and EPD generation
Creating an EPD traditionally requires detailed LCA modelling, extensive data collection, and coordination between manufacturers, LCA practitioners, and third-party verifiers. The GCCA Industry EPD Tool streamlines this process by providing a ready-to-use calculation framework specifically adapted to the cement and concrete sector.
Users enter their product and plant-specific data through a web-based interface, while the underlying LCA model and background data are managed within the tool. This allows manufacturers to generate consistent environmental assessments while reducing the need for specialist LCA knowledge.
The tool covers cradle-to-gate assessments for aggregates, clinker, and cement, and cradle-to-grave assessments for concrete and precast products, including relevant use and end-of-life stages.
Powered by openLCA
openLCA provides the calculation engine and modelling foundation of the GCCA Industry EPD Tool. This brings the flexibility and transparency of openLCA together with a sector-specific, controlled application environment.
The current version of the tool uses a new openLCA-based calculation foundation, together with updated GCCA sector data and product-specific methodological configurations. The architecture also provides a basis for digital integration, including API-based connections to other systems and workflows.
From data input to EPD output
The GCCA Industry EPD Tool integrates the main steps of the LCA and EPD workflow into a single platform. Users can enter material, energy, manufacturing, transport, storage, construction, use, and end-of-life data, supported by predefined background datasets where appropriate.
The underlying pre-verified model performs the LCA calculations and generates the required environmental indicators. Results can then be exported in different formats, including a self-declaration, a detailed background report for third-party verification, and a digital EPD in ILCD+EPD format.
The tool also supports API-based integration, allowing EPD-related data and results to be connected with external software systems and digital workflows.
Pre-verified LCA model
A central feature of the GCCA Industry EPD Tool is its pre-verified LCA model. For the International version, the underlying methodology and model have been independently verified and the tool is recognised as a pre-verified LCA tool by the International EPD® System.
This approach means that the methodological aspects covered by the pre-verification do not need to be reassessed for every individual EPD. During the subsequent EPD verification, the verifier can focus on the manufacturer-specific data and the resulting declaration.
Supporting the cement and concrete industry
By combining openLCA’s established LCA calculation capabilities with a dedicated sector methodology and user-friendly web interface, the GCCA Industry EPD Tool makes LCA and EPD generation more accessible to manufacturers across the cement and concrete value chain.
The result is a scalable digital platform that supports consistent environmental assessments, streamlined EPD preparation, and integration of LCA results into broader digital and procurement workflows.
The tool is pre-verified with EPD International, SmartEPD and Institut für Bauen und Umwelt.
For further information: gccaepd.org/tool
