Reducing emissions from the construction sector is a critical step toward addressing climate change. Construction and real estate account for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Munich-based startup Emidat has introduced a platform aimed at streamlining environmental reporting in construction, with a focus on automating the generation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for building materials.
EPDs provide standardized data on the environmental impact of construction materials throughout their lifecycle, covering production, use, and disposal stages. While essential for sustainability, the creation of EPDs has traditionally been a costly, time-intensive process. Emidat’s platform seeks to resolve this by automating EPD generation through a centralized database that can accept and process product data from various sources, including APIs, Excel files, and Building Information Modeling (BIM).
By standardizing EPD reporting, Emidat aims to encourage manufacturers to produce eco-friendlier building materials. According to Emidat CEO and co-founder Lisa Oberaigner, “Manufacturers know how to decarbonize; they invest significantly in sustainable technologies, but they haven’t had an efficient way to communicate this value. Our platform provides a structure where sustainable products can stand out.”
Emidat’s software also leverages AI to analyze data and create benchmarks for materials, allowing manufacturers to assess their environmental performance relative to industry peers. AI-driven insights further enable emissions projections for construction projects, aiding builders and developers in making informed material choices.
Speeding Up EPD Creation
Emidat’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform reduces the time required for manufacturers to produce an EPD, cutting down what can typically take months to mere days. According to Oberaigner, the cost per EPD has dropped from approximately €15,000 through traditional methods to around €50 using Emidat’s platform.
The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) set to take effect across the EU in 2024 will require consistent environmental reporting for construction materials. Emidat’s platform incorporates verification as part of its service, streamlining compliance with new regulations that demand more robust environmental disclosures.
“We are standardizing the reporting process so that verifiers can consistently evaluate data,” said Oberaigner, emphasizing that the unified approach supports manufacturers in delivering accurate environmental data, essential as regulatory demands increase.
A Data-Driven Approach for Manufacturers
Emidat, founded in 2023 by Lisa Oberaigner and CTO Florian Fesch, focuses on materials manufacturers, encouraging them to upload product data to simplify EPD generation. This approach contrasts with existing methods, which primarily serve architects and developers. By providing tools tailored for manufacturers, Emidat aims to support emissions tracking across the supply chain, from raw materials to finished construction projects.
Emidat’s database currently includes information on over 150,000 construction products, spanning 13 categories. The company initially targeted high-impact materials like concrete, steel, and glass and is expanding to other components in building systems.
Oberaigner sees data collection as a driving force for industry-wide improvement, noting that increasing EPD data availability will stimulate competition among manufacturers to innovate around sustainability. In time, Emidat expects to offer architects and developers access to its data, enabling more sustainable choices at every stage of construction.
Growth and Investment
Emidat recently closed a €4 million seed funding round led by General Catalyst, building on an earlier €500,000 pre-seed investment. This funding will support the startup’s expansion efforts, particularly as European regulations place higher demands on environmental transparency. Emidat aims to onboard more manufacturers, focusing on high-emission materials as the company works to scale its platform.
With environmental impact a growing concern worldwide, the market for verified EPDs in the EU alone could reach €5 billion annually. As regulations continue to evolve, Emidat is positioned to be a key player in sustainable construction data, bringing a new level of transparency and accountability to the built environment.
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By Proptechbuzz
By Ravi Kumar
