DuboCalc and MKI in the Netherlands
If infrastructure tenders in the Netherlands are on your radar, DuboCalc is the scoreboard. It turns life‑cycle impacts into one euro figure, the MKI, that can tilt a bid. The brands with sharp, product‑specific EPDs land stronger numbers and get shortlisted more often. Here’s the fast brief manufacturers actually need.
What DuboCalc actually does
DuboCalc models a civil works design, pulls environmental data, and converts life‑cycle impacts into the Milieukostenindicator, or MKI, expressed in euros. Version 6.0 is currently recommended for use (DuboCalc, 2025). Lower MKI usually means a more competitive tender score when buyers apply Best Price Quality Ratio.
Where those euros come from
MKI is calculated using the Dutch Environmental Database and the Environmental Performance Assessment Method aligned to EN 15804. The current Assessment Method is version 1.2, published January 2025 [NMD, 2025]. That gives everyone the same rulebook so the number is comparable, not a black box.
EPDs are the MKI cheat‑code
NMD distinguishes data categories. Category 1 is verified, product‑specific. Category 3 is generic and carries a 30% surcharge that makes designs look worse by design (NMD, 2025). Put simply, a product‑specific EPD published into NMD turns that markup off and can materially drop a project’s MKI.
Procurement mechanics that matter
Rijkswaterstaat and many municipalities use MKI as a quality criterion in tenders. On May 27, 2024 they adopted a renewed MKI valuation method, MKI‑W, that multiplies environmental costs by a valuation factor and adds them to the bid amount for scoring (Rijkswaterstaat, 2024). Protocol updates took effect January 1, 2025 and clarify calculation, verification, and monitoring requirements [Rijkswaterstaat, 2024].
Proof that MKI moves the needle
Rijkswaterstaat highlighted a project where the MKI for the initial design was about €9.2 million, then dropped to roughly €4 million after switching to recycled aggregates and other design choices [Rijkswaterstaat, 2025]. Every project is different, but the direction is clear. Better data and smarter bill‑of‑materials decisions lower MKI.
Your fast path to DuboCalc‑ready data
Publish product‑specific EPDs and make sure they are entered in NMD as category 1. Use the same units and functional descriptions buyers expect in GWW so your data slots cleanly into bill‑of‑quantities. Include location or plant variants when impacts differ meaningfully, so designers do not default to generic rows.
Play nicely with the Assessment Method
Check that the LCA and EPD align with the Dutch Assessment Method terminology and impact sets. The method has been updated in 2025, and buyers will expect consistency with those rules [NMD, 2025]. If background data sets shift mid‑year, ask the LCA team to re‑run the numbers so MKI in DuboCalc reflects reality.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Relying on generic category 3 data when a product‑specific EPD exists elsewhere. Missing transport or packaging details so the EPD understates real‑world logistics. Publishing but not pushing data into NMD, which means DuboCalc users still see a generic placeholder. Dont leave unit mismatches unresolved.
Quick checklist for manufacturers
- Confirm an EN 15804‑compliant, third‑party verified EPD for each key product and variant.
- Ensure publication into NMD as category 1 with correct units and classification.
- Provide a clear bill‑of‑materials mapping so estimators can pick your data in seconds.
Bring it back to commercial outcomes
DuboCalc turns sustainability into math that decides tenders. Teams that remove the 30% generic surcharge and align to the latest Dutch method tend to show lower MKI and face fewer penalties in scoring (NMD, 2025). Pick an LCA partner that handles the messy data collection, verifies fast, and publishes cleanly into NMD so your product is the obvious choice in the model.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DuboCalc use MKI in Dutch public tenders?
Buyers calculate a project’s MKI and use it as a quality criterion under Best Price Quality Ratio. Since May 27, 2024 Rijkswaterstaat applies the MKI‑W valuation that multiplies environmental costs by a factor and adds them to the bid for scoring [Rijkswaterstaat, 2024].
Which data category in NMD should manufacturers target to improve MKI?
Category 1, which is verified and product‑specific. Category 3 generic data carries a 30% surcharge that worsens MKI (NMD, 2025).
Which DuboCalc version should teams use now?
Version 6.0 is currently recommended for calculations, per the official DuboCalc portal (DuboCalc, 2025).
Which standard underpins the Dutch Assessment Method for MKI?
EN 15804. The Assessment Method v1.2 was published January 2025 and aligns calculations across projects [NMD, 2025].
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
