Sustainable Products

Sustainable,
CO₂-offset products

MAPEI promotes the total offsetting of residual CO2 emissions during the life cycle of products by acquiring certified environmental credits to support the implementation of reforestation projects and protection of biodiversity.

Since 2012 MAPEI Group has offset over 100,000 tons of CO2 associated with the manufacturing of numerous products by acquiring certified environmental credits. Last year, CO2 emissions offset was launched for North America as well.

CO2 emissions measured throughout the life cycle of products from the ZERO line in 2024, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, verified and certified with EPDs, have been offset through the acquisition of third-party-certified carbon credits in support of forestry protection projects: A commitment to the planet, to people and to biodiversity.

How do we measure CO₂?

CO₂ emissions from our products are expressed in kg of CO₂eq per kg of product and are calculated using standardized Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The analysis of the life cycle of a product is an evaluation of the environmental impacts the product has throughout all the various phases of its life, from cradle to grave. Calculations are made from extraction of the raw materials that make up the formula to their transport to the production plant, through the production cycle, product packaging, waste materials, transportation of the finished product to the distributor and its final disposal.

The approach in which each life phase of a product is taken into consideration is called “from cradle to grave.”

Environmental Impact Measured

gwp

GWP

Climate Change

GWP-total – Global Warming Potential refers to the emission/presence of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere (mainly CO₂, N₂O, CH₄), which contribute to the increase in the temperature of the planet. GWP-total includes:

GWP-fossil
GWP-biogenic
GWP-LULUC (land use and land use change)

gwp

ODP

Ozone Depletion

Ozone Depletion Potential refers to the degradation of the stratospheric layer of the ozone involved in blocking the UV component of sunrays. Depletion is due to particularly reactive components that originate from chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or chlorofluoromethane (CFM).

pocp

POCP

Photochemical Ozone Creation

The Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential is the ozone formation in low atmosphere. This is quite common in cities where a great amount of pollutants (such as VOCs and NOx) is emitted every day (industrial emissions and vehicles). It is mainly diffused during the summertime.

EP

Eutrophication

Eutrophication Potential refers to the nutrient enrichment, which determines unbalance in ecosystems and causes the death of the fauna and decreased biodiversity in flora.

AP

Acidification

Acidification Potential refers to the emission of specific acidifying substances (i.e., NOx, SOx) in the air. These substances decrease the pH of the rainfall with predictable damage to the ecosystem.

adp-minerals

ADP-ELEMENTS

Depletion of abiotic resources – minerals and metals

Abiotic Depletion Potential elements refers to the depletion of mineral resources.

adp-fossil

ADP-FOSSIL

Depletion of abiotic resources – fossil fuel

Abiotic Depletion Potential fossil fuel refers to the depletion of fossil fuel resources.

wdp

WDP

Water Deprivation

The Water Deprivation Potential expresses the potential deprivation of water that consists in not having the water needs satisfied.

How do we certify the values?

The results obtained through LCA are verified and certified by an external body with an EPD, or Environmental Product Declaration, published with The International EPD System.

An EPD is prepared according to international standards (ISO 14025 and EN 15804, etc.) and shows the environmental impact of a product during its life cycle, evaluated using LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology. All MAPEI EPDs are also published on the program operator’s website: https://www.environdec.com/home

How do we calculate the amount of CO₂ to be offset?

Once the amount of CO₂ has been calculated and expressed in kg of CO₂eq per kg of product, this figure is multiplied by the amount in tons of product sold.

Sustainable, CO₂-offset products