Congrats BarChip: First EPD for Macro Fibers
Concrete fiber is having a moment in specs. With a fresh, product‑specific EPD now live, BarChip enters the transparency arena in a category where EPDs increasingly decide shortlists. Here is what they published, who verified it, and how that shifts the competitive math.
What landed in December
BarChip published a product‑specific Environmental Product Declaration for BarChip R50 macro synthetic fiber in December 2025. The declaration is registered with the International EPD System and verified by EPD International AB, with LCA work developed by thinkstep anz. This is effectively BarChip’s EPD debut for the current cycle, centered on its flagship R50 used in structural concrete reinforcement.
What it covers
The EPD is product‑specific for a macro synthetic polypropylene fiber designed for concrete reinforcement. It is positioned for shotcrete, slabs‑on‑grade, precast, and transport infrastructure where fiber can replace part of traditional steel reinforcement. Scope is single‑product rather than a multi‑family umbrella, which keeps submittals clean for specifiers comparing like‑for‑like.
Why spec teams will care now
A credible, third‑party EPD removes friction in bids that require product‑specific declarations and helps teams avoid defaulting to conservative generic factors. That means BarChip’s fiber can be evaluated on measured impacts instead of penalty assumptions, which keeps conversations on performance and availability rather than only price.
Competitive snapshot at a glance
The macro‑fiber field already includes several EPD‑active players. BarChip is now in the same search results where design teams start their screening.
- Sika USA lists product‑specific EPDs for macro and micro synthetic fibers under ASTM’s program operator. Coverage is current in North America and appears in typical searches for fiber reinforcement.
- FORTA has product‑specific EPDs for FORTA‑FERRO and FORTA‑FI under ASTM, giving it visibility across concrete and asphalt reinforcement categories.
- Bekaert publishes both steel fibers and a Synmix‑branded macro synthetic fiber EPD via EPD Hub, so specifiers shopping fiber options will see them early.
Takeaway for sellers. BarChip has caught up on the paperwork where established rivals already had EPDs listed, which neutralizes a common short‑list filter and puts performance data side‑by‑side in owner tools.
Quick company context
BarChip manufactures macro synthetic fibers used to reinforce concrete for civil, mining, industrial, and precast applications. The pitch is simple. Replace a portion of steel with engineered polypropylene fibers to reduce corrosion risk and simplify placement while hitting structural targets. For sales teams, an up‑to‑date EPD backs that story when projects lean on embodied‑carbon accounting.
Program operator and developer, in plain English
The EPD is published in the International EPD System and verified by EPD International AB. Think of this operator as a widely recognized registry that plays nicely with European and U.S. rating systems. The LCA practitioner noted on the declaration is thinkstep anz, a developer spec teams will recognize from numerous building‑product EPDs.
Where to find it
BarChip hosts the EPD on its website, which is exactly what specifiers expect to see on a sustainability or downloads page. You can grab it here: BarChip Environmental Product Declarations. If a regional site or product page is missing a direct link, add it. Visibility wins.
What this means next quarter
Now that BarChip is visible with a current, product‑specific declaration, the game shifts to coverage and convenience. Two smart moves stand out. First, expand to additional product variants where volumes justify it, so estimators are never left to map a single EPD across multiple SKUs. Second, make data collection painless across plants and lines. Teams that streamline data gathering and operator coordination tend to publish faster and with fewer revisions, which keeps marketing and engineering focused on growth rather than spreadsheet hunting.
Bottom line
BarChip has entered the transparency arena with an EPD that meets specifier expectations. In a field where Sika, FORTA, and Bekaert already show up with product‑specific coverage, this puts BarChip on equal footing and opens more doors in carbon‑accounted bids. It is a solid first step that should definately be followed by more SKUs in the months ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which BarChip product has an active EPD and who verified it?
BarChip R50 macro synthetic fiber. It is published in the International EPD System and verified by EPD International AB, with LCA development by thinkstep anz.
Is the EPD a single product or a product family?
It is product‑specific for BarChip R50, which keeps submittals simple and comparability high.
Do competing macro fiber brands already have EPDs?
Yes. Sika USA, FORTA, and Bekaert all publish product‑specific fiber EPDs through recognized operators, so BarChip’s new listing is timely for specs.
About the Author
Eric works at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and business strategy, helping manufacturers navigate the evolving landscape of EPDs and LCAs. Having spoken with hundreds of teams across North America, brings a deep understanding of what drives ROI, what regulators are asking for, and how companies can stay ahead with smart, scalable approaches to environmental reporting.
