Life Cycle Assessment of marine sand for Van Ouwerkerk

Van Ouwerkerk BV wanted a clear and reliable overview of the environmental impact of its marine sand. Sweco carried out a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and supported the preparation of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The result is a robust, externally verified assessment of the impact of 1 tonne of marine sand. The EPD is representative of the Belgian market and helps communicate sustainability information transparently. The results show where the greatest impacts occur and provide a sound basis for comparison and decision-making across the supply chain.

Expertise:: Climate resilience & nature, Climate resilience & nature
Client: Van Ouwerkerk BV
Location: Middelburg, The Netherlands
Services: LCA and EPD preparation, environmental data, verification support

Mapping the environmental impact of marine sand

Marine sand is an important raw material for concrete, mortar and other construction applications. By analysing the product’s environmental impact across the full life cycle, Van Ouwerkerk gains a clear understanding of how the material performs in an increasingly demanding construction market. This provides a validated basis for positioning the product more strongly and transparently.

With this study, we make the impact of marine sand tangible and comparable. This helps customers make more sustainable choices.

Stijn Verdoodt, LCA & EIA Expert

Insight across the full supply chain

The study looks not only at the product itself, but also at the surrounding processes: from extraction and processing through to transport to the customer. This is where the greatest opportunities lie to reduce the overall impact, making the project particularly relevant for more sustainable supply chain choices. By bringing these insights together in an EPD, complex environmental information becomes accessible and useful for architects, producers and other market players.

A strong basis for transparency

The value of this project lies in the combination of measurable data, external verification and practical applicability. The EPD is independently verified and provides a standardised way to communicate environmental performance. In doing so, the project supports not only Van Ouwerkerk, but also the wider shift towards greater transparency in construction materials.

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