ClarkDietrich and EPDs: What’s Covered, What’s Next
Cold‑formed steel is everywhere in commercial interiors and facades, and ClarkDietrich sits near the center of that world. If you sell into projects that ask for EPDs, here’s a quick read on what they make, how their declarations stack up today, and where coverage can expand to win more specs.
Who ClarkDietrich is
ClarkDietrich manufactures a broad portfolio around cold‑formed steel. Think interior and exterior studs and track, structural members, metal lath, plaster accessories, head‑of‑wall and deflection systems, and a deep catalog of clips and connectors. They also offer vinyl and paper‑faced finishing trims in Division 09. This is not a pure play on one SKU family, it’s a platform across framing and finishes.
How many products and categories
Across Division 05 and Division 09, their catalog spans multiple product categories with hundreds of SKUs. The center of gravity is 05 40 00 Cold‑Formed Metal Framing, with extensions into 09 22 16 Non‑Structural Metal Framing and 09 22 36 Lath and Accessories. For specifiers, that means ClarkDietrich often shows up on the same submittal as studs, lath, and trims.
EPD coverage at a glance
As of December 19, 2025, ClarkDietrich has a small set of current, product‑specific EPDs that cover their cold‑formed steel framing systems, including lath and many accessories. Most of these renewals come due in 2026, with one Low Embodied Carbon declaration live well into 2029 and published by EPD International AB. Several earlier declarations have expired, so the refresh cycle is active.
What looks covered well
The core steel families appear to be in good shape. Multi‑product EPDs summarize interior and exterior framing, floor framing, clips and connectors, and expanded metal lath. One site‑specific document signals that plant‑level factors can be captured when needed, which helps teams chasing lower modeled impacts and stricter owner policies.
Likely gaps to close
Vinyl beads and trims, paper‑faced accessories, and certain specialty items do not appear in the current set of declarations. If a project team asks for EPDs across every major material on a wall assembly, that missing piece can introduce friction or push a switch to a competitor product with documented data. We see this more often in healthcare and higher‑ed where procurement rules are tight.
Competitive context
In cold‑formed steel, ClarkDietrich typically competes with regional and national peers that also publish EPDs.
- CEMCO has current declarations that cover studs, track, slotted track, lath, and accessories, with validity running through 2028.
- Marino\WARE lists current cold‑formed steel EPDs, including a low‑embodied‑carbon variant with horizon out to 2030.
- Specialty connectors sometimes pull Simpson Strong‑Tie into the conversation, although overlap varies by detail and engineer preference.
When a submittal demands EPDs, these competitors can look interchangeable on paper, which is why breadth and recency matter.
Why this matters commercially
Many owners and GCs now prefer product‑specific, third‑party verified EPDs, especially on projects targeting modern carbon reporting and LEED v5 outcomes. Without one, specifiers often must assign a conservative default that makes the product look worse than it is, and that hits win rate. An up‑to‑date declaration shortens debate and keeps price from being the only lever.
Smart next moves for manufacturers
If we were sitting next to a product manager, we’d prioritize a fast renewal of steel system EPDs coming due in 2026, add SKU‑level or sub‑family breakouts where sales sees the most volume, and bring vinyl and paper‑faced trims into scope. Pick a partner that handles data collection inside the plants and publishes with the operator of your choice so R&D and ops can keep building, not wrangling spreadsheets.
Where to read more
ClarkDietrich’s sustainability commitments and reporting live here: clarkdietrich.com/sustainability. It’s a helpful anchor for submittals and sales decks, even if an EPD refresh is in flight.
The takeaway
ClarkDietrich covers the steel heart of its portfolio with several current EPDs, and one low‑carbon declaration extends coverage further. The wins will come from renewing on time, expanding into trims and other high‑volume accessories, and making sure the products architects touch most often have declarations. That keeps the brand easy to specify and avoids enviromental drag in carbon‑sensitive bids. It reads simple, because it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product families does ClarkDietrich manufacture that are most relevant to EPDs?
Cold‑formed steel studs and track, structural members, metal lath, plaster accessories, clips and connectors, and finishing trims in Divisions 05 and 09.
How strong is ClarkDietrich’s current EPD coverage?
The core steel families have current EPDs. Several renewals are due in 2026, with one low‑embodied‑carbon declaration running into 2029.
Where are the likely EPD gaps today?
Vinyl and paper‑faced trims and certain specialty accessories do not appear in the current set and present an opportunity to round out assembly‑level coverage.
Who are common competitors with EPDs in this space?
CEMCO and Marino\WARE both publish EPDs that cover similar cold‑formed steel product families.
What should a manufacturer prioritize next to win more specs?
Renew expiring steel EPDs, add breakouts for high‑volume sub‑families, and bring trims into scope. Choose a partner who can do turnkey data capture and operator‑agnostic publishing.
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.
