What is expiring in December 2026
The EPD set to expire is Leca Infra 10‑20 Eko (including 400 km transport), published with EPD Norway and scoped to reused lightweight expanded clay aggregate. Validity window: December 17, 2021 to December 17, 2026. Product category mapping aligns to thermal insulation in NPCR 012, although the use case is commonly lightweight fill and drainage.
Is there a replacement already
As of April 20, 2026, there is no newer Leca EPD visible for the same Infra Eko product variant. Leca continues to list other expanded clay sizes and mixes with validity into 2028 to 2030, but none appear to supersede the Infra 10‑20 Eko with transport included. If an updated study exists outside public listings, it has not yet been surfaced to specifiers.
Will specifiers lose EPD access for this SKU
If the current declaration expires without a renewal, yes, the product would drop out of project teams that require a current, product‑specific EPD for submittals. Many owners and design teams treat an expired EPD as ineligible for credit pathways or procurement preferences under current practice. EPDs are typically valid for five years, so calendars matter here (EPD Norway, 2025).
Where project teams might pivot
In the absence of a refreshed Leca Infra Eko EPD, we expect attention to shift to lightweight expanded clay alternatives with current declarations. Examples below are live today; always confirm fit by grain size, density, and application notes.
- Fibo ExClay Deutschland GmbH FIBOBAU 4‑8 rund, valid to October 15, 2028, published with EPD Norway. Typical applications overlap with geotechnical fill and insulation layers.
- Fibo ExClay Deutschland GmbH FIBOTHERM Trockenschüttung 1‑5 (round or crushed), valid to July 24, 2028, published with EPD Norway. Often specified as dry fill or leveling screed.
- ARGEX AR 8/16 – 340 GEO, valid to August 20, 2026, published in INIES. This one also expires before December 2026, so it helps near term but not for late‑year bids.
Renewal timing that really matters
Working backward from December 17, 2026, the practical deadline is earlier. Verification, program operator review, and EC3 listing can take weeks. A well‑run renewal bundles plant data collection, updated transport modeling, and any PCR changes into one clean package so marketing and sales can keep quoting without a hiccup. EPD programmes generally expect re‑verification at renewal, not a simple date extension (EPD Norway, 2025).
What to check inside the new study
Two small choices can punch above their weight in A1–A3:
- Declare transport scenarios that mirror real projects. The outgoing Infra Eko EPD includes a 400 km transport assumption. If the typical lane differs, recalibrating distance and mode can materially change GWP.
- Document recycled content and yield carefully. Reused LWA is compelling, but auditors will look for evidence trails and allocation logic between reuse prep and kiln steps.
Quick links for teams
Leca product and sustainability information is consolidated at the company site. See product families and regional contacts at leca.com, then verify the current EPD PDFs through the relevant program operator before submittal.
Bottom line for late‑2026 bids
There is one Leca declaration coming up for renewal on December 17, 2026. No public replacement is visible yet. Specifers should pencil a contingency and request the renewal timeline now. A fresh, verified EPD in place by early Q4 keeps this SKU in play while rivals with current declarations compete for the same spec slots.
(EPD validity period reference: EPD Norway, 2025)
