Is there an industry‑wide EPD for powder coatings?
Short answer for anyone searching “industry-wide EPD powder coatings” or “sector average EPD powder coating EPDs”: yes in Europe, via the German coatings association, and not currently in the United States. Here is where to find it, what it covers, and why a product‑specific powder coating EPD still wins more specs.
The short answer
Yes. An industry‑wide, sector average EPD for powder coatings exists in Europe through the German Coatings and Printing Inks Association (VdL) and is published by IBU under EN 15804. It comes as three averages that represent typical chemistries: polyester, hybrid, and epoxy. See the VdL overview and links to the EPDs, plus the IBU English PDF for polyester powder coating here (IBU, 2023).
Where to find the documents
Start with VdL’s page that lists all three association EPDs for powder coatings and links to IBU. For quick access, here are direct pages to check:
- VdL association EPDs for powder coatings on IBU, including polyester, hybrid, and epoxy.
- IBU English PDF for polyester powder coating linked above. These EPDs are recognized across Europe through ECO Platform, so specifiers in many EU markets will accept them.
What about the United States?
As of December 2025 there is no national, industry‑wide EPD for powder coatings published by a US trade association. Project teams typically fall back to generic or conservative datasets when a product‑specific EPD is missing, which can make your material look heavier in whole‑building LCAs. That is not ideal if your line is efficient.
Want the latest EPD news?
Follow us on LinkedIn to get relevant updates for your industry.
How industry averages are built
Sector EPDs pool data across multiple producers and plants, then report a representative average using the relevant PCR. Think of it like a class average grade. It is informative and comparable, but it rarely reflects a best‑in‑class line. Averages also smooth away plant‑level improvements like fuel switching, closed‑loop reclaim, or optimized cure schedules.
Why a product‑specific powder coating EPD wins specs
On real projects, designers prefer verified numbers tied to the exact product they plan to use. A product‑specific EPD lets LCA tools drop the generic penalty and model your coating as it is actually manufactured at your facility. That clarity removes friction in submittals, avoids late‑stage swap‑outs, and helps you stay sticky in the spec. The ROI can be manyfold because a single mid‑sized win can cover the investment.
Positive examples manufacturers can benchmark
Looking for proof that peers have moved ahead with product‑specific EPDs?
- IFS Coatings in the US lists manufacturer EPDs for architectural powders, including IFS 300SP and IFS 400SD, verified by SCS Global Services with validity through January 22, 2028 (SCS Global Services, 2023).
- TIGER Coatings in Europe publishes product‑specific EPDs under IBU for select series and points specifiers to the association EPDs as context. Their certificates area and blog outline the portfolio and how the product‑specific values compare to the association averages. If you operate efficient lines, a product‑specific declaration typically reflects that advantage. Otherwise you’re judged by the class average.
Sector average vs. product‑specific in practice
Use the association EPD when you need a quick, recognized baseline for early design or when a distributor catalog must cover many manufacturers. Move to a product‑specific EPD when a project or customer asks for precise carbon accounting, when you supply a marquee facade package, or when you know your line performs better than the average. That is often, frankly, where the margin lives.
What this means for powder coating teams this year
If you sell in the EU, you can reference the VdL association EPDs immediately while planning your own. If you sell in the US or globally, a product‑specific EPD is the cleanest path to avoid conservative defaults in LEED v5 oriented bids. It also equips sales with a simple answer the next time a GC or facade consultant asks for numbers. Don’t let generic data define your story; get your own. It’s definately worth it.
Quick recap
There is an industry‑wide powder coating EPD set in Europe via VdL at IBU. There is not a US association average today. Sector averages are useful, but conservative. Manufacturers that publish product‑specific powder coating EPDs are winning more specifications because their real performance shows up in the model, not an average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a sector average EPD for powder coatings exist and where is it published?
Yes. In Europe, the German Coatings and Printing Inks Association (VdL) has three association EPDs for polyester, hybrid, and epoxy powder coatings, published by IBU under EN 15804. See the IBU English PDF for polyester here (IBU, 2023).
Is there a US industry‑wide EPD for powder coatings?
No national association average is available in the US as of December 2025. US project teams often rely on generic datasets when a product‑specific EPD is not provided.
Why pursue a product‑specific powder coating EPD if a sector average exists?
Association averages are conservative by design. A product‑specific EPD reflects your actual line and can reduce modeled impacts in whole‑building LCAs, improving specification odds and speeding submittals.
Which mid‑sized manufacturers have product‑specific powder coating EPDs?
Examples include IFS Coatings in the US with SCS‑verified EPDs valid through January 22, 2028 (SCS Global Services, 2023), and TIGER Coatings in Europe with IBU‑published EPDs for select series.
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.
