August 28, 2026

Athena Institute completes new industry-average LCAs for gypsum board and insulating concrete forms

The Athena Sustainable Materials Institute recently completed comprehensive life cycle assessment studies addressing two industries.

For the Gypsum Association, we conducted cradle-to-grave LCA for North American ½” lightweight and ⅝” Type X conventional gypsum boards. We also developed an industry-average environmental product declaration for each of the two board types. This was our third update for the Gypsum Association.

For the Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association (ICFMA), we conducted cradle-to-gate LCA for Canadian insulating concrete forms (ICF). We also developed an industry-average environmental product declaration. This work was completed as part of the Canadian life cycle inventory initiative underway at the National Research Council Canada.

Industry-average LCA studies are generally quite complex and lengthy. This is a primary reason why trade associations turn to the Athena Institute – we have exceptional experience and technical capacity for that level of work.

Industry-average data is important for many reasons. First, the average provides a baseline that individual manufacturers can compare against or that can be a reference point in procurement policy. Second, industry-average data is a solution for the countless manufacturers who don’t have the resources to conduct their own specific LCA. Third, average data is critical for whole-building LCA, especially in early design when product specifications are not yet set or where no EPD is available for a specific product. And finally, these studies are used to develop or update EPD product category rules (PCRs)

The new gypsum wallboard EPDs were issued June 23, 2026 by Smart EPD®. The ICF EPD was issued July 14, 2026 by ASTM International.