thinkstep‑anz: LCA and EPD services in ANZ
Manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand ask two questions about LCAs and EPDs: who can do the work well and how much internal time will it consume. Here is a concise look at thinkstep‑anz’s offer, where they tend to operate, and what to watch for if speed and low‑friction data collection matter to your team.
What thinkstep‑anz offers
thinkstep‑anz provides product Life Cycle Assessment and end‑to‑end EPD support for manufacturers. Their LCA service page outlines scoping, data collection, modeling, and improvement analysis, including support for EN 15804 and ISO 14040 series workflows (Life Cycle Assessment). Their EPD page covers study, verification coordination, and publication with regional operators (Environmental Product Declarations).
Scale and throughput at a glance
Our December 2025 snapshot shows a track record of 496 published EPDs, with about 90 issued in the past year. Their work spans 58 product categories, with concentrations in coatings and envelopes. Most represented categories include Paint by Area (91), Insulation (84), Gypsum Board (75), Mechanical Insulation (27), Paint by Mass (25), Roof Panels (21), and Windows (20). This indicates strong activity in Division 07 and Division 09 product families.
Team footprint in the region
Public profiles point to roughly 50 specialists across Australia and New Zealand, supported by offices in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney, and Melbourne (Green Building Council of Australia, 2025) (GBCA, 2025). That geographic spread is practical for manufacturers with multiple plants in ANZ.
Where they appear most
The category mix suggests a focus on building products that commonly feature in specifications and ratings in the region. Coatings, insulation, and gypsum systems dominate their portfolio, with smaller but present volumes in windows, roof and wall panels, and select metals and timber products. If your catalog matches these areas, you will likely find established PCR familiarity and verification routines.
How work typically runs with traditional consultancies
Expect a classic consulting cadence. Scoping workshops, spreadsheet templates, iterative data requests, and scheduled verifier touchpoints are normal. The approach is credible, yet it can require meaningful time from plant managers, product owners, and procurement to fill gaps and validate runs. If your internal bandwidth is thin, push for clarity on who pulls operational data, how supplier data is normalized, and how many review rounds occur so you do not end up project‑managing the project.
Timelines and validity, translated to business impact
For construction products, EPDs typically carry a five‑year validity window, set at verification, with mid‑cycle updates expected if a declared indicator worsens by more than 10 percent (EPD International FAQ, 2025) (EPD International, 2025). Practically, that means aligning publication dates with sales cycles and big bids so you are not refreshing in the middle of prequalification. It also means your team should plan data refreshes early if you change feedstocks, energy, or formulations.
Competitors you will likely compare in ANZ
Competitors of similar regional focus include Edge Impact, which offers LCA and EPD work as part of its Lifecycle Thinking services across Australia and New Zealand (Edge Impact services). start2see operates as a boutique LCA and EPD consultancy and recognized verifier with activity across the building materials space in Australia and New Zealand (start2see EPDs). Lifecycles provides LCA studies and EPD support for manufacturers in Australia (Lifecycles consulting). These firms vary in size and tooling, yet most rely on structured templates and multi‑round data exchanges.
What to ask before you commit
If speed to publication and low internal lift are priorities, ask any provider to demonstrate how they collect utility, bill of materials, and supplier data with minimal effort from your team. Request a sample data intake, a verifier booking plan, and a week‑by‑week Gantt that shows exactly who does what. Confirm how they map to the current EN 15804 PCR versions used by your competitors and how they keep you renewal‑ready inside the five‑year window. Get clarity on how many product variants can be covered per declaration and whether a process certificate is suitable for your portfolio without creating governance debt.
Bottom line for manufacturers
thinkstep‑anz is a visible ANZ consultancy with a large EPD portfolio in coatings, insulation, and gypsum systems, and with regional teams that can meet on‑site when needed. If your priority is a low‑friction path and aggressive timelines, press for proof of streamlined data intake and rigorous project orchestration. Doing so keeps your experts focused on production and sales while the LCA work moves quickly and cleanly to publication. It is definately worth defining these working norms up front.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does thinkstep‑anz provide LCA and EPD services for manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand?
Yes. Their service pages outline LCA delivery and full EPD support, including verification coordination and publication within common ANZ operators. See their LCA and EPD pages for scope and deliverables.
How large is thinkstep‑anz in the region?
Public listings indicate about 50 specialists across Australia and New Zealand, with multiple offices in both countries (GBCA, 2025).
Which product categories dominate their EPD work?
Coatings, insulation, and gypsum systems lead their portfolio, with additional activity in windows, roof and wall panels, select metals, and timber products.
What is the typical validity for construction EPDs and why does it matter?
Five years is typical, set at verification, with earlier updates expected if a reported indicator worsens beyond defined thresholds. Plan renewals so you never face expiry during tenders (EPD International FAQ, 2025).
Who are common competitors in ANZ for LCA and EPD services?
Edge Impact, start2see, and Lifecycles are frequently compared alternatives, each offering LCA and EPD services in the region.
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
