SOPREMA at a glance: products and EPD coverage
SOPREMA plays across the building envelope, not just one niche. Think membranes, insulation, and liquid resins working together like a well‑coached backline. The big question for specifiers is simple. Where do Environmental Product Declarations already cover their range and where are the gaps that can cost specs when projects require product‑specific EPDs under LEED v5 or owner policies?
Who SOPREMA is
Founded in France and active worldwide, SOPREMA focuses on the envelope. Roofing and waterproofing are the core, with insulation, air and vapor control, and liquid systems rounding out the playbook. They are diversified across product technologies rather than a pure play in a single membrane type.
What they sell, in plain English
Product families span low‑slope roofing membranes (SBS‑modified bitumen, PVC and KEE, and TPO in Europe), liquid‑applied waterproofing and PMMA systems, air and vapor barriers for walls, thermal insulation boards such as XPS and PIR, wood‑fiber and cellulose insulation, plus accessories and green‑roof build‑ups. Across regions this translates to hundreds of SKUs, not a handful.
Where EPD coverage is strong today
In continental Europe their coverage is broad. INIES hosts many SOPREMA EPDs across categories like TPO membranes, liquid waterproofing, XPS and PIR insulation, wood‑fiber boards, and cellulose fills, current into the late 2020s. That gives project teams a ready set of product‑specific declarations.
In North America the picture splits by country. SOPREMA U.S. holds current EPDs for Sentinel PVC and KEE single‑ply membranes, plus multiple wall air and water barrier systems verified through established program operators (NSF International, 2025) and (ASTM International, 2025). SOPREMA Canada publishes product‑specific EPDs for SBS‑modified bitumen roofing systems that remain current well into this decade (ASTM International, 2025).
The notable gap to watch
For the U.S. market, SOPREMA’s flagship SBS‑modified bitumen roofing category has fewer product‑specific EPDs visible under a U.S. entity today compared with their Canadian portfolio. That can matter when owners or public agencies ask for product‑specific EPDs at the SKU or system level. The result is avoidable friction in submittals and a higher chance of getting swapped for a like‑kind system that is documented.
Competitors likely to show up on the same bid list
- Single‑ply membranes and systems: Carlisle SynTec, GAF, Sika Sarnafil, Elevate.
- SBS and BUR systems: Johns Manville, GAF, CertainTeed, IKO.
- XPS and polyiso insulation: Owens Corning, DuPont, Kingspan, Carlisle.
- Air and water barriers: DuPont Tyvek, Henry, GCP Applied Technologies.
Several of these publish product‑specific EPDs in the same categories. For example, Johns Manville lists SBS roofing membrane EPDs that are current through this decade, a direct alternative in modified‑bitumen specs (ASTM International, 2025). GAF’s TPO and polyiso lines carry recent EPDs widely used in commercial roofing submittals (NSF International, 2024).
Why that gap costs real specs
Teams targeting LEED v5 or corporate carbon policies often score products with and without EPDs differently. When a product lacks a product‑specific EPD, the modeler must fall back to conservative assumptions that can penalize a submittal. A documented alternative avoids that penalty, so it is more likely to stay in the spec rather than get value‑engineered out on a Tuesday afternoon.
A fast, practical roadmap
Prioritize a U.S. product‑specific EPD set for SBS systems. Start with the top sellers by volume and installation method to capture the bulk of demand. Mirror the PCR choices common in competitor declarations so comparability is clean for reviewers. Add air‑barrier and XPS refreshes on a rolling cadence so nothing ages out in a single quarter. The heavy lift is data wrangling across plants and variants. With the right partner the reference year data pull and reviews can move quickly while engineering keeps running daily operations.
Helpful link for their sustainability stance
SOPREMA publishes an overview of its environmental and sustainable development approach here (SOPREMA U.S. Sustainable Development). If you need a one‑pager for internal alignment, it is a good start even if you build a deeper submittal package.
Bottom line for spec‑driven teams
SOPREMA is a multi‑category envelope brand with wide geographic reach and strong EPD coverage in Europe. In North America they are well covered on PVC and air‑barrier lines, with Canadian SBS coverage that is solid. The commercial upside sits in closing the U.S. SBS EPD gap so roofing bids do not hinge on price alone. That is where an organized, white‑glove LCA and EPD push is worth it’s time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SOPREMA product families already tend to have product‑specific EPDs available today?
PVC and KEE single‑ply membranes and several wall air and water barriers in the U.S. have current EPDs verified by recognized program operators. In Europe, TPO membranes, liquid waterproofing, XPS and PIR insulation, wood‑fiber boards, and cellulose fills are broadly covered.
Which SOPREMA category is the biggest EPD opportunity in the U.S. market right now?
SBS‑modified bitumen roofing appears under‑documented in the U.S. relative to Canada. Prioritizing U.S. product‑specific EPDs for top SBS systems reduces submittal friction and improves specability.
Who are the main competitors SOPREMA faces on EPD‑sensitive projects?
Carlisle SynTec, GAF, Sika Sarnafil, Elevate for single‑ply. Johns Manville, GAF, CertainTeed, IKO for modified‑bitumen. Owens Corning, DuPont, Kingspan, Carlisle for roof insulation. DuPont, Henry, and GCP in air barriers.
Will European EPDs satisfy U.S. project needs?
Often yes when they are third‑party verified and product‑specific, but many specifiers prefer EPDs tied to the selling entity and PCRs common in the U.S. market to simplify reviews. Publishing U.S. EPDs avoids back‑and‑forth.
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.
