Understanding the environmental impact of products requires more than assumptions or general sustainability claims. It requires data, transparent methodologies and independent verification.
For that reason, work is underway to develop comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for the ONE-DNA™ product range. A Life Cycle Assessment provides insight into the environmental impacts associated with a product throughout its lifecycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to use, transportation and end-of-life processing.
The objective is straightforward: to provide reliable information that helps customers, designers, municipalities and other stakeholders make informed decisions based on measurable data.
Looking Beyond the Product Itself
The assessment process is being developed in multiple stages to create a more complete understanding of lifecycle performance.
Stage 1: Product Assessment
The first stage focuses on the composition and production of ONE-DNA™ artificial grass systems. This includes analysing raw materials, manufacturing processes and associated environmental impacts using recognised LCA methodologies.
The results would form the basis for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), independently verified documents that provide standardised environmental information. EPDs allow products that fulfil the same function to be evaluated using a consistent methodology and transparent dataset.
Rather than relying on broad environmental claims, EPDs provide quantified information about a product’s environmental profile throughout its lifecycle.
Stage 2: Installation and End-of-Life Scenarios
The second stage expands the assessment beyond the product itself by evaluating installation processes, logistics and end-of-life scenarios in different countries and regions.
Environmental impacts can vary depending on transport distances, local infrastructure, recycling facilities and waste management practices. By including these factors, the assessment aims to provide a broader understanding of how lifecycle performance may differ across markets.
This approach supports a more complete view of environmental impacts beyond manufacturing alone.
Why Lifecycle Data Matters
As sustainability requirements continue to evolve, organisations increasingly require objective information to support procurement, specification and policy decisions.
Lifecycle assessments contribute to this by providing:
- Greater transparency regarding environmental impacts
- Consistent information based on recognised methodologies
- Support for product comparison using standardised criteria
- Insight into opportunities for future improvement
- Data that can contribute to environmental reporting requirements
Most importantly, lifecycle assessments replace assumptions with measurable information.
The Role of Environmental Product Declarations
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) translates lifecycle assessment results into a standardised format that can be independently verified and publicly communicated.
EPDs are widely used by:
- Architects and designers
- Municipalities and public authorities
- Contractors and developers
- Sustainability consultants
- Procurement professionals
By providing transparent and comparable information, EPDs support evidence-based decision-making throughout the construction and landscaping sectors.
A Commitment to Transparency
The purpose of lifecycle assessment is not to make broad environmental claims. It is to understand environmental impacts, identify opportunities for improvement and provide stakeholders with reliable information.
As the development and verification process progresses, further updates would be shared regarding the lifecycle assessment programme and the publication of Environmental Product Declarations for the ONE-DNA™ product range.
Update, October 2026: this article reflects the ONE-DNA™ range at the time of publication, based on polyethylene (PE). ONE-DNA™ now also includes a 100% PO route; see Technology. The EPDs mentioned (MRPI, 2024) cover the product stage (A1 to A3) of products made at the former Hasselt site and do not represent current production in Portugal.
Related: Sustainability · Technology
