Industry‑wide EPD for industrial grating?
Looking for an industry‑wide or sector average EPD for industrial grating systems? Here is the straight answer, plus examples of manufacturers with product‑specific EPDs and why those typically outperform any generic benchmark in bids and whole‑building LCAs.
The short answer
As of December 2025, no industry‑wide EPD exists that explicitly covers “industrial grating systems” as a product category in North America or Europe. Trade associations have published industry averages for upstream materials, but none for assembled grating systems across steel, aluminum, or FRP.
What you can lean on today
Several associations publish industry‑wide EPDs for related inputs. These are helpful context for LCAs, but they are not grating systems.
- Structural steel: AISC publishes industry‑wide EPDs for fabricated sections, plate, and HSS that represent U.S. averages across participating mills and fabricators (AISC, 2025).
- Aluminum extrusions: The Aluminum Extruders Council released updated industry EPDs covering North American extrusion operations in 2023 (AEC, 2023).
These documents describe upstream materials and fabrication, not welded bar grating, expanded metal grating, molded FRP, or pultruded FRP grating systems.
Who already has product‑specific grating EPDs
Manufacturers are filling the gap with product‑specific EPDs. A few credible examples across regions:
- Strongwell, DURAGRID grating, third‑party verified and current to 2030. See the company’s EPD reference under Certifications on strongwell.com.
- Fibergrate, molded and pultruded FRP grating families, verified and current to 2030 under a construction products PCR.
- Lionweld Kennedy, Safegrid open grid flooring, verified by BRE Global, listing on GreenBook Live shows BREGENEPD000542 (GreenBook Live, 2025).
- Häfla Bruks AB, hot‑dip galvanized steel grating, registered with EPD International and valid to 2030.
If you supply grating and your competitors look familier here, the market signal is clear.
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Why a sector average would be conservative for grating
Grating is an assembly. Final impacts hinge on bearing‑bar geometry, cross‑bar joining, alloy or resin choices, galvanizing or coatings, offcut rates, and span‑specific designs. A sector average would need to over‑generalize those levers, which pushes results toward conservative assumptions. In whole‑building LCAs, conservative inputs can act like a speed limiter at bid time when a project team needs precise, verifiable numbers.
The commercial upside of product‑specific
Most procurement and rating frameworks prioritize product‑specific EPDs over industry averages. That preference often translates into shortlist momentum and fewer back‑and‑forths with sustainability reviewers. An EPD also standardizes the story sales and technical teams tell, so teams stop reinventing spreadsheets every time a spec drops. The cost is typically recovered quickly with even one mid‑sized project win, because you avoid penalties tied to generic, pessimistic datasets.
If you make steel grating
Use a steel construction PCR aligned to EN 15804 or ISO 14025 and add your fabrication, welding, and galvanizing realities rather than leaning on a mill‑only average. If your product is stainless or aluminum, select the correct alloy background and include finishing lines and cutting yields.
If you make FRP grating
Pick a construction products PCR that supports composites and document resin systems, glass content, pultrusion or molding energy, and cutting waste. Be explicit about anti‑slip surfacing and fire‑retardant formulations, since these change A1 to A3. A good LCA will also lock in realistic service life and maintenance scenarios so your spec sheets match what field teams actually do.
Regional notes
- United States: No national sector EPD for grating. Structural steel and aluminum extrusion industry averages exist, but they do not replace a grating EPD in project documentation.
- Europe and UK: No sector EPD for grating systems. Individual grating EPDs are live with BRE Global and EPD International, which specifiers can reference directly.
Want links to start from
- AISC’s summary of industry‑wide structural steel EPDs provides current context for upstream steel averages (AISC, 2025).
- Aluminum Extruders Council announcement on updated North American extrusion EPDs summarizes scope and coverage (AEC, 2023).
- Lionweld Kennedy’s Safegrid entry on GreenBook Live and Häfla Bruks AB’s grating in the EPD International Library are both publicly viewable.
Bottom line for grating manufacturers
There is no single, sector average EPD for industrial grating systems right now. That vacuum means a verified, product‑specific EPD lets your true performance show up in the model instead of a blunt proxy. It removes a hidden tax in WBLCAs, wins more specs on merit, and gives sales a credible, repeatable story. It is the rare sustainability task that pays back fast and keeps paying. Frankly, it is a no‑brainer, really.
Linked sources: (AISC, 2025) | Linked sources: (AEC, 2023) | Linked sources: (GreenBook Live, 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a sector average or industry-wide EPD specifically for industrial grating systems in the US or EU?
No. As of December 2025, there is no published industry-wide EPD dedicated to grating systems. Associations cover upstream materials, not assembled grating.
Which trade groups publish industry-wide EPDs relevant to grating inputs?
In North America, AISC publishes industry‑wide EPDs for structural steel products and fabrication, and the Aluminum Extruders Council publishes industry‑wide EPDs for extrusions. These do not substitute for a grating EPD.
Can I use an industry-wide EPD for my bid if I lack a grating EPD?
You can, but results are conservative since they miss product‑specific design, finishing, and yield factors. Teams that present product‑specific EPDs usually avoid that penalty and move faster through review.
Which grating makers have product-specific EPDs today?
Examples include Strongwell and Fibergrate in the US for FRP grating, Lionweld Kennedy in the UK for steel open grid flooring, and Häfla Bruks AB in Sweden for galvanized steel grating.
What PCR should I use if there is no grating-specific Part B?
Select a construction products PCR aligned to EN 15804 or ISO 14025 that accommodates metals or composites, then document fabrication steps and finishing. Experienced LCA partners will benchmark against peer choices to keep results comparable.
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.
