Congrats, OBEX: first‑ever EPDs are live
A familiar façade name just put numbers on the board. OBEX has published its debut wave of Environmental Product Declarations, giving project teams spec‑ready data for membranes and adhesives where conservative defaults used to slow submittals. Here is what shipped, who verified it, and how that shifts the competitive math in building‑envelope bids.
What OBEX just published
OBEX released six product‑specific EPDs across its CORTEX line, covering interface sealing membranes, EPDM membranes, paste adhesives, and one hybrid cement board. Publication month for the first in this set is April 2025. The program operator of record is EPD Hub.
Scope matters. These are product‑specific declarations that map to real SKUs used around windows, doors, curtain walls, and SFS interfaces. For specifiers, that means fewer substitutions and faster whole‑building LCA checks when envelope details get tight.
Why this portfolio matters now
Envelope sealants and membranes often trip projects into generic, pessimistic carbon assumptions. With verified numbers on adhesives and membranes, OBEX products can stay in play when teams need third‑party data rather than claims. Think of it like switching from rumor to replay review during crunch time.
Competitive snapshot
Illbruck already lists multiple current EPDs for window and façade membranes through Smart EPD, so membrane buyers know what “good” looks like. See the quick take here: Illbruck, in focus.
SIGA shows a smaller public set of membrane and vapor‑control EPDs with IBU, which signals activity but not full coverage across its catalog.
Sika UK posts at least one EPDM membrane EPD with IBU for its SikaMembran line, which gives contractors a recognized alternative in certain markets.
Taken together, OBEX has entered the transparency arena with credible coverage right where façade packages make or break. In head‑to‑head membrane specs, they are catching up to established players, not chasing shadows.
The basics, translated for sales and PMs
- Product‑specific EPDs reduce the use of conservative defaults in LCA models, which can help products clear carbon screens without getting squeezed on price.
- Having adhesives and membranes covered in the same family shortens submittal ping‑pong, since adjacent materials in a detail now carry matching paperwork.
- If a GC asks “is it verified,” the answer is yes. EPDs are published by a recognized operator and align to EN 15804 and ISO 14025 conventions.
Where to find the paperwork
OBEX has begun listing EPDs directly on product pages. Example: the CORTEX 0771FR Paste Adhesive page includes an “Environmental Product Declaration” link for fast downloads (OBEX 0771FR). We recommend adding clear EPD links on every relevant membrane, adhesive, and board page, plus a central sustainability hub. Visibility is key for speedy submittals and fewer substitutions. It’s definately worth the 10‑minute CMS update.
What to watch next
Three practical moves will keep momentum high. First, extend coverage to any remaining high‑volume adhesives or membrane variants so entire interface details are consistently documented. Second, mirror links in distributor libraries and BIM objects to cut search time. Third, track PCR updates at the operator level so the next renewal lands on current rules without a scramble.
Bottom‑line signal
OBEX’s first‑ever EPDs give façade and glazing teams spec‑ready data in categories where it matters most. Competitors like Illbruck, SIGA, and Sika are active, yet this debut puts OBEX on equal footing in the details that decide bids. That is how a transparency step turns into more shortlisted packages and fewer last‑minute swaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which OBEX products are covered by these first‑ever EPDs?
Six product‑specific declarations span interface sealing membranes, EPDM membranes, paste adhesives, and a hybrid cement board, all in the CORTEX line.
Who is the program operator for OBEX’s debut EPDs?
EPD Hub. For background on the operator’s scope and recognition, see our overview on EPD Guide.
When were the first OBEX EPDs published?
April 2025. Subsequent entries in the same wave follow that timeline.
Do direct competitors already have EPDs in these categories?
Yes. Illbruck and Sika list membrane EPDs, and SIGA shows a smaller set. OBEX’s launch brings them into parity where envelope details drive specification.
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.
