The Zero‑Carbon Data Center Race, And Your Products
Hyperscalers are sprinting to build AI-ready campuses while promising net‑zero footprints. Power hogs get the headlines, yet procurement teams are now scrutinizing every bolt, coating, cable tray and sealant. If your product goes inside a data center, an EPD is quickly becoming the ticket to compete, not a nice‑to‑have.
Why hyperscalers suddenly shape your spec sheet
AI is the accelerant. Global data center electricity use is projected to more than double by 2030, reaching about 945 TWh, with the United States driving the largest share of growth (IEA, 2025) (IEA Energy and AI, 2025). That surge concentrates buying power in a few owners and a few regions, which means product requirements ripple through supply chains fast.
Power grabs headlines. Embodied carbon decides ties.
Operational efficiency improved for years, then plateaued. Industry average PUE has hovered around 1.56 to 1.58 since 2020, masking pockets of elite performance but leaving little easy headroom (Uptime Institute, 2024). Owners are turning to upfront emissions, where materials make or break Scope 3. Microsoft reports Scope 3 rose roughly 31% from its 2020 baseline, driven by data center construction materials and hardware, and is now pushing suppliers toward carbon‑free electricity and lower‑carbon inputs (Microsoft Environmental Sustainability Report, 2024) (Microsoft, 2024).
The small stuff adds up like a chorus, not a solo
A single fastener or panel seems trivial. Multiply it across millions of units, across dozens of buildings on one campus, then across a global program. Minor inputs carry material mass, frequent replacement cycles, and logistics impacts. That is why buyers ask for product‑specific EPDs, so they can model realistic packages instead of defaulting to punitive estimates.
What owners and GCs are already asking for
Whole‑building teams need EPDs to meet standard project documentation and to unlock material credits. LEED v4.1’s MR credit recognizes products with verified Type III EPDs and lets teams count them toward thresholds that influence awards and tie‑breaks (USGBC, 2024) (USGBC EPD Credit, 2024). In Europe, CSRD has begun phasing in comprehensive Scope 3 reporting for large companies, which is cascading requests for product‑level data across supply chains (European Commission ESRS, 2024). Hyperscalers are piloting lower‑carbon concrete, steel, and mass timber in data center buildouts, moving markets and expectations for supporting components along with them (Microsoft Cloud Blog, 2024; Meta Sustainability, 2025).
Why an EPD changes your pricing conversation
Absent an EPD, estimators often plug in conservative defaults with add‑on penalties. Show up with a current, third‑party verified EPD and your actual number gets used. That reduces risk for the buyer, widens your specability, and helps avoid last‑minute swaps that erase margin.
EPD scope that fits data center reality
Aim for product‑specific, Type III, third‑party verified EPDs in line with ISO 14025 and EN 15804 or ISO 21930. Make sure the declared unit and system boundary match how the product is sold and installed. For heavy or bulky items, include transport assumptions that reflect real lanes to key data center regions. If installation or frequent replacement drives impacts, document A4–A5 and relevant B‑stage considerations in your background report so clients can model scenarios credibly.
Picking the right PCR without drama
A PCR is the rulebook of Monopoly. Ignore it and the game falls apart. Start by checking which PCR competitors use, when it expires, and which program operator you plan to publish with, for example Smart EPD in the US or IBU in Europe. Consistency across a bidding set keeps comparisons apples to apples. If a PCR is near its sunset, plan your renewal path now so expiration does not collide with a major RFP window.
Speed is a competitive feature
Hyperscale RFPs move on compressed calendars. Reliable averages for EPD timelines are hard to pin down because plant data readiness and PCR fit vary. What always saves time is ruthless data collection and proactive project management, so engineering and plant leaders are not stuck compiling utility bills when they should be running production. White‑glove support on data wrangling is worth it because it preserves your most valuable people’s time.
Avoid the potholes that derail submittals
- Declared unit mismatch with how the product is actually specified, leading to rework.
- Out‑of‑date background data that conflicts with your latest plant changes.
- PCR misalignment across a bid set, which opens you up to unfavorable comparisons.
- EPDs expiring mid‑pursuit, forcing costly rush updates.
Proof that scale is shifting expectations
Investment in data centers nearly doubled since 2022, reaching around half a trillion dollars in 2024, with local grid impacts that sharpen owner scrutiny on every materials decision (IEA, 2025) (IEA Executive Summary, 2025). Meanwhile, average PUE is flat, so embodied carbon is the lever buyers can pull today (Uptime Institute, 2024). That is why even containment curtains, coatings, rack accessories, and firestop assemblies are getting EPD asks.
Close the loop and stay in the race
Treat EPDs like a living catalog, not a one‑and‑done. Track PCR dates, align on program operators, refresh datasets annually, and keep a short list of alternates for regional sourcing. Do the small things early and the big opportunities stop slipping away. Your next spec win is probably waiting in teh details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hyperscaler data centers really require EPDs for small components like coatings or cable trays?
Many owners and GCs increasingly request product‑specific EPDs across the package so they can model embodied carbon credibly and maximize LEED material credits. It is not universal, but the trend is clear in large RFPs and framework agreements (USGBC, 2024).
Is operational efficiency still the main sustainability focus for data centers?
Operational performance matters, but industry average PUE has been largely flat around 1.56 to 1.58 since 2020, which pushes more attention to upfront emissions from materials and logistics (Uptime Institute, 2024).
How does CSRD affect U.S. manufacturers selling into European data center projects?
Large EU companies started reporting under ESRS in 2024, with Scope 3 data central to climate disclosures. Suppliers outside the EU are being asked for product‑level information to support these filings, often via EPDs and related documentation (European Commission ESRS, 2024).
Which program operators are common for data center products?
In the U.S., many teams publish through Smart EPD. In Europe, IBU is frequently used. Selection depends on PCR fit, audience, and portfolio strategy.
What if a relevant PCR is expiring soon?
Your current EPD can remain valid through its stated validity. Plan the next renewal against the updated PCR to avoid gaps in coverage. If timing is tight, coordinate with your LCA partner on interim options.
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.
