5.1.1Statements from the HPL Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) of HPL

The following parameters are particularly crucial for the environmental profile of a product:

• Global warming potential  (see table: Environmental Impact; GWP)
• Ozone depletion potential  (see table: Environmental Impact; ODP)
• Abiotic depletion potential – fossil fuels  (see table: Environmental Impact; ADPF)

Table 11: Key parameters

• 3.66 kg of CO2 equivalent are emitted during the production of one square meter of HPL
• Projected to the production volume, the impact of the European HPL production on the greenhouse effect is minimal compared to the European industry overall. It is only 0.08 % of the total CO2 emission of the European industry in 2010
• The impact of HPL production on the depletion of the ozone layer is very minor. With a value of 3.3 × 10-8 kg CFC11 equivalent for thin HPL and 3.18
  × 10-9 kg CFC11 equivalent for HPL-Compact, HPL generates virtually no substances which could damage the ozone layer
• As in all other areas of the manufacturing industry, energy consumption is a major factor in the HPL industry as well. 54 MJ (approx. 15 kWh) are required for manufacturing one square meter of HPL, and 471 MJ (approx. 131 kWh) for HPL-Compact. What is crucial, though, is the fact that the surface itself as well as HPL in combination with a substrate allow a high level of energy recovery after use through environmentally friendly incineration. This recovered energy is a positive counter item in the energy balance.