EP #155: EPDs, Data Centers, and the New Paperwork Hitting Concrete Producers

This episode is brought to you by GPRS.GPRS helps keep your projects moving by locating what is hidden before you cut, core, drill, or trench. From ground-penetrating radar and utility locating to concrete scanning and 3D laser scanning, GPRS gives contractors better information before work starts.Learn more or request a quote here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/gprsON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCASTReady-mix producers are being asked for EPDs more often, especially on data center and large infrastructure projects.But what are EPDs?Who is asking for them?And why should a small producer care?In this episode, Seth talks with Leise Sandeman, co-founder of Pathways, about Environmental Product Declarations, life cycle assessments, carbon reporting, and how these requirements are starting to affect concrete bids.Leise explains EPDs in plain language: what data goes into them, how cement, aggregate, admixtures, water, fuel, electricity, and transportation all get measured, and why producers should not assume this is only a “green building” paperwork exercise.The big point?EPDs are becoming part of how some owners, GCs, and hyperscale data center companies compare concrete producers.And for smaller ready-mix companies, the risk is not just the carbon number.It is being left out of the bid entirely because they do not have the documentation ready.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhat is an EPD?Why are data center owners asking concrete producers for EPDs?How does a life cycle assessment connect to a concrete mix?What data does a ready-mix producer need to create an EPD?Why can two plants from the same producer have different EPD numbers?How much of a concrete EPD is driven by cement?Are owners comparing concrete producers against each other?Why might simply having an EPD help a producer win work in some markets?How could EPDs affect smaller 2-to-10-plant ready-mix operations?Why does Leise think EPDs are becoming more about business than climate messaging?CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro and Concrete Logic Podcast support 03:15 - Who Leise Sandeman is and what Pathways does 03:52 - What is an EPD? 04:35 - Who is asking for EPDs? 05:54 - Where EPDs came from and how LCAs fit in 06:48 - Comparing concrete to other materials and other producers 07:36 - How cement and material supplier data affect EPDs 08:33 - Why EPDs involve a lot of math and manual work 09:07 - Generic EPDs vs producer-specific EPDs 10:09 - The three major data inputs for a concrete EPD 11:24 - Why utility and grid data matter 12:07 - What owners and hyperscalers compare 13:48 - How far the life cycle assessment goes 15:28 - How cement EPDs are built 16:12 - Does the EPD stop at placement? 17:16 - End-of-life questions and future standards 18:42 - Concrete’s carbon footprint vs material volume 20:29 - Why supplier choices can change the EPD number 21:21 - Why smaller producers need a simpler path 23:42 - Where EPD requirements may be heading 24:04 - Why EPD publishing is expected to grow 25:21 - Future inputs, fuels, SCMs, and supplier options 26:34 - How to contact Leise and PathwaysGUEST INFOLeise Sandeman Guest Profile: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/leise-sandeman/CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYTired of getting your concrete education from a PowerPoint presentation given by some guy who has probably never stepped in mud?Or someone who does not know what diesel smells like next to that first chute of concrete in the predawn darkness?That is why Concrete Logic Academy exists.It is built by people who understand the field, the plant, the jobsite, and the real problems concrete professionals deal with every day.The courses are practical, direct, and built for people who want to apply what they learn right away.Inside the Academy, you get access to PDH courses, quizzes, resources, live Q&A, early access to podcast episodes, and a place to ask concrete questions without throwing them out into the LinkedIn circus.For a limited time, get free access to the Concrete Logic Academy here: https://www.concreteschool.co SUPPORT THE PODCASTThe Concrete Logic Podcast runs on a value-for-value model.If the show gives you something useful, send some value back.Donate here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/Want to support the show another way?Check out KUIU through the Concrete Logic link: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuInterested in sponsoring the podcast or working with Concrete Logic Media? Email: [email protected]: Seth Tandett Producers: Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music: Mike Dunton https://www.mdunton.com/WHERE TO FIND SETHConcrete Logic Podcast Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/Like, subscribe, comment, and share the episode if it helped you understand where EPDs are headed in concrete.