CRH at a glance: products and EPD coverage
CRH is a heavyweight in building materials, present from quarry to curb. This snapshot shows what they sell, how broadly their portfolio is covered by Environmental Product Declarations, and where gaps could quietly cost specs on projects that now expect transparent carbon data. If you work in product, sales or marketing at a manufacturer, think of this as a quick map to where CRH is strong on EPDs today, and where sharpened coverage would turn more bids into wins.
Who CRH is
CRH is a global building materials group with a large North American footprint across heavy materials and building products. Their latest sustainability disclosures spotlight a push into low‑carbon solutions and circularity, including significant revenue tied to “enhanced sustainability attributes” (CRH Sustainability Performance Report, 2024). You can browse their sustainability publications and updates here: CRH Sustainability Publications.
What they sell
CRH’s portfolio spans cement and supplementary cementitious materials via Ash Grove, aggregates, ready‑mixed concrete, asphalt, and a wide precast range through Oldcastle Infrastructure. Oldcastle APG adds hardscapes and masonry, from CMU to pavers and segmental retaining walls. Across these families, local plants carry mix‑specific SKUs that run into the hundreds, which matters because EPDs often need to be plant and mix specific to really count in procurement.
EPD coverage in plain English
Ready‑mixed concrete and asphalt are well represented with plant‑level, product‑specific EPDs across many CRH subsidiaries. That makes sense given how often DOT and commercial work now ask for verified mix data. Cement coverage exists through product‑specific EPDs published with established program operators, and key precast lines such as pipe and box culverts are also represented. APG’s hardscapes have EPDs in some regions, yet coverage is uneven by plant and product line, and aggregates EPDs appear less common.
Where gaps can sting commercially
In regions where a standard hardscape paver or an SRW block lacks a current EPD, specifiers may default to a competitor that shows verified numbers. Unilock publicly lists EPD resources for drycast, wetcast and hermetic lines, which can tip decisions on projects tallying embodied carbon for credits and owner policies (Unilock EPD Resources, 2025). Basalite also signals on‑demand EPD availability across multiple regions, which helps them stay selectable when owners require documentation (Basalite EPDs, 2025). If your product page reads beautifully but your EPD library is thin, you are paying an invisible tax in lost specs.
Category by category snapshot
Think of CRH’s portfolio like a sports roster. The heavy hitters are ready‑mix and asphalt, with hundreds of plant‑specific SKUs and strong EPD presence. Cement is the veteran starter with recognized declarations. Precast is a solid utility player, covered in anchor products like pipe and culverts. Hardscapes bring design flair, yet the bench is not equally deep across every plant. Aggregates are often the quiet role player and still under‑documented.
Who they meet on bids
CRH frequently faces Holcim, Heidelberg Materials, CEMEX, Martin Marietta, Vulcan Materials, and Summit Materials for core materials. In hardscapes and masonry, recurring rivals include Unilock, Basalite, and County Materials. Product substitutions shift by setting, yet the pattern is consistent in offices, healthcare and civic work: verified EPDs reduce friction for design teams and GCs who must hit carbon caps, so products without them get less daylight.
Why this matters for LEED v5 era specs
Under current market practice and LEED v5 trajectories, teams often apply conservative defaults when no product‑specific EPD is supplied. That default can penalize embodied carbon and it can slow your submittals. A published, third‑party verified EPD is a green light for carbon accounting and a time saver for overworked specifiers. The cost to publish one is often dwarfed by a single mid‑sized project win. This is not marketing fluff, it is spefications math.
What a strong EPD plan looks like
Start with a plant‑by‑plant audit of your top sellers and the projects they chase. Prioritize product‑specific EPDs for ready‑mix mixes used in public work, asphalt base and surface courses, cement types that feed those mixes, and the precast SKUs that anchor civil packages. For APG‑style portfolios, schedule CMU, pavers and SRWs by region so sales has something current to submit everywhere. Pick program operators your customers already trust, keep the PCRs aligned with your competitive set, and make data collection painless so the update cycle does not miss renewals.
One data point that shows the direction of travel
CRH reported $14.6 billion in revenues from products with enhanced sustainability attributes, signaling demand that rewards transparent, lower‑carbon options (CRH Sustainability Performance Report, 2024). That demand shows up first in submittals. If the EPD is missing, the opportunity often moves on.
The takeaway
CRH covers a lot of ground on EPDs where it counts most, especially in ready‑mix and asphalt, with meaningful signals in cement and core precast. The commercial unlock sits in the long tail: hardscapes and region‑specific SKUs that still lack declarations. Close those gaps with a clean data intake, clear PCR choices, and a renewal calendar your sales team can trust. Plant by plant, mix by mix, that is how you win more often when EPDs are a must.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CRH publish an annual sustainability report and where can I find it?
Yes. CRH maintains a sustainability publications page that hosts the latest Sustainability Performance Report. See the link in the “Who CRH is” section above.
Which CRH categories typically have the broadest EPD coverage today?
Ready‑mixed concrete and asphalt, followed by cement and key precast items like pipe and box culverts.
Where are EPD gaps most likely for CRH’s portfolio?
Hardscapes and masonry vary by plant and region, and aggregates EPDs are less common. Local audits help expose the specific gaps.
Which competitors often present EPD‑documented alternatives in hardscapes?
Unilock and Basalite publicly list EPD resources that specifiers can use in submittals.
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
