eLM Zero EPD Officially Released: A Milestone for Carbon Storage in Concrete

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ecoLocked is proud to announce the official release of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for eLM Zero, marking an important step forward for the adoption of biochar in concrete applications.

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The EPD has been developed in full compliance with EN 15804, providing a transparent and standardised assessment of environmental impacts. The results highlight the significant climate potential of eLM Zero:

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▪️ GWP-total (A1–A3) of 1 kg eLM Zero = –2.96 kg CO₂e

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This negative value reflects the material’s ability to store carbon, positioning eLM Zero as a carbon-negative solution within the construction value chain.

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eLM Zero:

eLM Zero is an innovative concrete admixture designed to permanently store carbon without compromising material performance. It partially replaces conventional inputs such as cement and aggregates, reducing the overall CO₂ footprint of concrete while offering additional functional benefits, including pigmentation, weight reduction, and enhanced durability.

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Understanding Carbon Accounting Under EN 15804

Within the EN 15804 framework, carbon removals must be accounted for as so-called “virtual emissions” of biogenic carbon in Module C, representing end-of-life scenarios. This means that even when carbon is permanently stored within a material, as is the case with eLM Zero, it must still be reported as a potential emission at the end of the lifecycle.

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To address this limitation and improve transparency, we managed to add an additional environmental impact indicator within the EPD. This allows for clearer carbon insetting reporting and explicitly recognises the permanent carbon storage achieved when eLM Zero is used in concrete.

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Clarifying Virtual Emissions

In the context of lifecycle assessment, virtual emissions refer to accounting adjustments required for biogenic carbon that is assumed to be released at the end of a product’s life, even if, in reality, it remains stable. Accordingly, for eLM Zero, virtual emissions of biogenic CO₂ are included in Module C4 of the product system, despite the carbon being permanently stored in the concrete matrix.

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Access the Full EPD

For those interested in exploring the full details of the EPD, including methodology and complete impact data, please feel free to reach out via info@ecoLocked.com.

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