ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATION

ALLURA
FORBO FLOORING SYSTEMSRESILIENT HETEROGENEOUS VINYL FLOOR COVERING
Allura Wood
Color W60357 Grey Autumn oak and W60389 Charcoal Solid Oak

Forbo’s Allura collection offers designers anextensive range of designs, all with the same
performance specification, including realistic
wood effects, stone and abstract designs, abroad palette of colors and someimaginative digitally printed visuals which
are designed to inspire.
Forbo was the first flooring manufacturer topublish a complete Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) report verified by CML in 2000.In
addition Forbo is now to publish
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
for all products including full LCA reports.
This EPD is using all recognized flooring
Product Category Rules and is including
additional information to show the impacts
on human health and eco-toxicity. By
offering the complete story we hope that
our stakeholders will be able to use thisdocument as a tool that will translate theenvironmental performance of Allura into
the true value and benefits to all ourcustomers and stakeholders alike.
For more information visit;www.forbo-flooring.com

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

This declaration is an environmental product declaration (EPD) in accordance with ISO 14025. EPDs rely
on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to provide information on a number of environmental impacts of products
over their life cycle. Exclusions: EPDs do not indicate that any environmental or social performancebenchmarks are met, and there may be impacts that they do not encompass. LCAs do not typically address
the site-specific environmental impacts of raw material extraction, nor are they meant to assess human healthtoxicity. EPDs can complement but cannot replace tools and certifications that are designed to address these impacts
and/or set performance thresholds – e.g. Type 1 certifications, health assessments and declarations, environmental
impact assessments, etc. Accuracy of Results: EPDs regularly rely on estimations of impacts, and the level of accuracy
in estimation of effect differs for any particular product line and reported impact. Comparability: EPDs are notcomparative assertions and are either not comparable or have limited comparability when they cover different life cycle
stages, are based on different product category rules or are missing relevant environmental impacts. EPDs from different
programs may not be comparable.

DECLARATION NUMBERUL Environment
333 Pfingsten Road
Northbrook, IL 60611
Forbo Flooring B.V.
Industrieweg 12
P.O. Box 13
NL-1560 AA Krommenie
4788294459.107.1

DECLARED PRODUCTAllura Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

PROGRAM OPERATORDECLARATION HOLDERREFERENCE PCRDATE OF ISSUEPERIOD OF VALIDITY

CONTENTS OF THE
DECLARATION

EN 16810: Resilient, Textile and Laminate floor coverings – Environmental productdeclarations – Product category rules
July 19, 2018
5 Years
Product definition and information about building physics
Information about basic material and the material’s origin
Description of the product’s manufacture
Indication of product processing
Information about the in-use conditions
Life cycle assessment results
Testing results and verifications

The PCR review was conducted by:

PCR Review Panel

This declaration was independently verified in accordance with ISO
14025 by Underwriters Laboratories☐ INTERNAL☒ EXTERNAL
Grant R. Martin, UL Environment
This life cycle assessment was independently verified inaccordance with ISO 14044 and the reference PCR by:Thomas P. Gloria, Industrial Ecology Consultants

This EPD conforms with EN 15804

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Product Definition
Product Classification and description
This declaration covers the Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles collection, Forbo Allura LVT is a range of versatile luxury vinyl tiles
that suit a wide range of applications. Each design comes in its natural form. Colour tones, grain, plank size andembossing are created in such a way that the natural material is presented in real life. Allura combines the aesthetics
of natural wood and stone flooring with the advantages of strong and durable LVT: warm underfoot, sound absorbing,easy installation & maintenance. A record of sustainable criteria makes Allura LVT a preferred choice: phthalate freewith recycled raw material, produced by using green energy in efficient manufacturing environments that can boast
100% recycling capability.
Allura LVT from Forbo Flooring is a resilient floor covering complying with all the requirements of EN-ISO 10582:
Resilient floor coverings – Heterogeneous polyvinyl chloride floor coverings - Specification. The key raw materials
include PVC, plasticizer, mineral filler, stabilizers and glass fiber.
Allura is produced by Forbo Flooring and is sold worldwide. This declaration refers to Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles of 2.5 mm
nominal thickness with a 0,70 mm or a 0.55 mm wear layer covering a broad range of designs and colors :Allura Wood, Allura Stone, Allura Abstract and Allura Strips
Allura is built up in 5 layers:

Proven PUR lacquer with embossed topcoat - scratch andstain resistant topcoat, optimal to clean and maintain
Calandered transparent wear layer – a durable wear layer
suitable for high traffic areas
Printed layer on top of a coated layer – multiple layers of
ink creating depth in authentic patterns
Thick glass fleece carrier – the basis for dimensional
stable planks and tiles
Embossed balancing backing layer – maximal adhesion
including ≥20% recycled content
Figure 1: Typical construction

This declaration refers to the declared/functional unit of 1 m 2 installed flooring product.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Range of application
Allura is classified in accordance with EN-ISO 10582 to be installed in the following use areas defined in EN-ISO10874:
Area of application

Allura 0.55

Allura 0.70

Class 33Class 34Class 42Class 43

Commercial

Industrial

Product Standard
The products considered in this EPD have the following technical specifications:o Meets or exceeds all technical requirements in EN-ISO 10582 Resilient floor coverings – Heterogeneous
polyvinyl chloride floor coverings - Specification

Allura meets the requirements of EN 14041
EN 13501-1
Reaction to fireBfl – s1
EN 13893
Slip resistance
DS: ≥ 0,30
EN 1815
Body voltage< 2 kVEN ISO10456 Thermal conductivity 0,25 W/mK
AccreditationoooISO 9001 Quality Management System
ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
SA 8000 Social Accountability Standard

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Delivery Status
Table 1: Specification of delivered productCharacteristics

Nominal value(0.55 Wear layer)
2.50

Unit

Product thickness

Nominal Value(0.70 Wear layer)
2.50

Product Weight

3.60

3.40

kg/m2

Tiles
Width x Length
Planks Width x Lengthmm

50x50 / 75x25 / 75x50 / 75x75 / 100x100
50x15 / HP 90x15 / 100x15 / 120x20 / 150x28 / 180x32

cm

Material Content
Material Content of the Product
Table 1: Average composition of Allura

Component

Material

BinderPVC
DOTP & Dibenzoates

Nonrenewable – limited
Nonrenewable - limited

Amount[%]43
16

Calcium carbonate
Dolomite
Epoxidized esters &proprietary mixtures &lubricantsGlass fiber tissue
Titanium Dioxide (mainpigment) and others
PU lacquer
Post production waste

Abundant mineral
Abundant mineral169Europenonrenewable - limited

3.5

EuropeNonrenewable - limited

1.5

Netherlands/Germany

Nonrenewable - limited< 0.5

EuropeNonrenewable - limited

< 0.5
10

EuropeInternal

FillerStabilizers andprocess additives
Carrier
Pigments
FinishRecycleAvailability

Origin of raw material
EuropeProduction of Main Materials
PVC: Polymer which is produced by the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer.
DOTP: A non-phthalate plasticizer, being the diester of terephthalic acid and the branched-chain 2-ethylhexanol. This
colorless viscous liquid used for softening PVC plastics is known for chemical similarity to general purpose phthalates
such as DEHP and DINP, but without any negative regulatory pressure.
Stabilizer Ba/Zn: Mixed metal stabilizer made from Barium and Zinc stearate. It is used to avoid PVC degradation during
processing at relative high temperature.
Calcium carbonate: An abundant mineral found in all parts of the world as the chief substance in rocks (i.e., marble
and limestone). It can be ground to varying particle sizes and is widely used as filler.
Dolomite: An abundant mineral mined in northern Norway.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Glass fleece: Glass fibers are mixed with a binder to produce a glass fleece which is used as a substrate for floor coverings
and imparts excellent dimensional stability to the finished product.
Titanium dioxide: A white pigment produced from the mineral rutile, a naturally occurring form of titanium dioxide. The
production of the pigment is a large-scale chemical process.
Lacquer: Thermally cross linked polyurethane coating

Production of the Floor Covering
The production of Allura LVT includes the following processes :• Preparation of PVC plastisols (mixture of PVC, plasticizer, filler and additives)• Impregnation of the glass fleece with a highly filled plastisol followed by the application of a thin white plastisol
coating.
• Rotogravure printing, using water based inks, to produce wood, stone or abstract designs.
Digital HD printing, using water based inks, to produce wood, stone or abstract designs• Application of calendered PVC topcoat and PU lacquer. The topcoat is mechanically embossed to enhancethe decorative effect.
• A calendered back layer is then applied to the product. This layer contains a minimum of 20% of productionwaste.
• The finished product is then trimmed, inspected and cut into tiles of a specified size.
Trimmings & rejected product are recycled back into the calendered backing layer.
Health, Safety and Environmental Aspects during ProductionooISO 14001 Environmental Management System
SA 8000 Social Accountability standard

Production Waste
Rejected material and the cuttings of the trimming stage are being reused in the manufacturing process of heterogeneous
vinyl.
Packaging materials are being collected separately and externally recycled.

Delivery and Installation of the Floor Covering
DeliveryA worldwide distribution by truck and container ship is considered. On average every square meter of Allura istransported as follows:o Transport distance 40 t truck
720 kmo Transport distance 7.5t truck (Fine distribution)
265 kmo Capacity utilization trucks (including empty runs)
85 %o Transport distance Ocean ship
2130 kmo Capacity utilization Ocean ship48%

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Installation
Because of the specific techniques used during the installation of Allura approximately 2% of the material is cut off as
installation waste. For installation of Allura on the floor a scenario has been modeled assuming 0.25 kg/m2 of adhesive
is applied to the sub-floor. Waste during the installation process may be recycled through the manufacturer’s facility or
disposed of via landfill or incineration.

Health, Safety and Environmental Aspects during Installation
Forbo flooring recommends to use (low) zero emission adhesives for installing Allura floorcovering.
Waste
Waste during the installation process may be recycled as floor covering through the manufacturers’ facilities ordisposed of via land fill or thermally recycled in a waste incineration plant.
Packaging
Cardboard tubes and packaging paper can be collected separately and should be used in a local recycling process. In
the calculation model 100% incineration is taken into account for which there is a credit received.

Use stage
The service lifetime of a floor covering for a certain application on a floor is too widespread to give one common
number. For this EPD model the reference service lifetime (RSL) is set to one year. This means that all impacts for theuse phase are based on the cleaning and maintenance model for one year. Depending on the area of use, thetechnical lifetime advised by the manufacturer and the estimated time on the floor by the customer, the service lifetime
can be determined. The use phase impacts should be calculated with the foreseen service life to arrive at the total
environmental impact.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Level of use

Cleaning Process

Cleaning Frequency

Commercial/Residential

Vacuuming
Wet Cleaning

Twice a week
Once a week

Consumption of energy
and resources
Electricity
Hot water
Neutral detergent

For the calculations the following cleaning regime is considered:- Dry cleaning with a 1.5 kW vacuum cleaner for 0.21 min/m 2, twice a week. This equates to 0.55
kWh/m2*year.
- Once a week wet cleaning with 0.062 l/m 2 water and 0.0008 kg/m 2 detergent. This result in the use of
3.224 l/m2*year water and 0.04 kg/m2*year detergent. The wet cleaning takes place without power machineLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

usage. Waste water treatment of the arising waste water from cleaning is considered (Data sourced from
Forbo GABI model).
The cleaning regime that is recommended in practice will be highly dependent on the use of the premises where thefloor covering is installed. In high traffic areas more frequent cleaning will be needed compared to areas where there is
low traffic. The use of an entrance mat of at least four steps will reduce the cleaning frequency.
The cleaning regime used in the calculations is suitable for high traffic areas.
Prevention of Structural Damage
All newly laid floor covering should be covered and protected with a suitable non-staining protective covering if otherbuilding activities are still in progress. Use protective feet on chairs and tables to reduce scratching. Castor wheels
should be suitable for resilient floor coverings.
Health Aspects during Usage
Allura is complying with:o AgBB requirementso CHPS section 01350
o French act Grenelle: A+
Low emissions & phthalate free manufacturing ensures Allura contributes to a healthy indoor environment.

End of LifeThe deconstruction of installed Allura from the floor is done mechanically and the electrical energy needed for this isestimated to be 0.03 kWh/sqm. This amount of energy is included into the calculations.
For the End of Life stage 100% incineration is taken into account, the average distance to the incineration plant perlorry is set to 200 km.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Life Cycle Assessment
A full Life Cycle Assessment has bee carried out according to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
The following Life Cycle Stages are assessed :o A1-3 : Product Stage (Raw material acquisition, transportation to Manufacturing and Manufacturing)o A4-5 : Construction stage (Transport Gate to User, Installation flooring)o B2 :
Use Stage (Maintenance of the floor)o C1-4 : End of Life Stage (Deconstruction, transport, waste processing, disposal)
o D:
Benefits and loads beyond the system boundary (Reuse, recovery, recycling potential)
Product stage(A1-3)

A1 : Raw
Material
Extraction andProcessing

A2 : Transport

Construction process stage(A4-5)

Use stage (B2)A5 :Construction or
installation
process

B2 :Maintenance
Cleaning
regimeA3 : PVC
mixing,Sheet making,A4 : Transport

A3 :Manufacturing
Energies with
regionalreference

Benefits andloads beyond thesystem boundary(D)End-of Life stage(C1-4)

Lacquering &embossing,C1 : Deconstruction
demolition

C2 :Transport

C3 : Waste
processing

C4 :DisposalD:
Reuse,
recovery,recycling
potential

Tile cutting

Figure 2: Flow chart of the Life Cycle Assessment

Comparisons of different floor coverings are only allowed, where EN 15804 consistent and/or preverified backgrounddata and EN 15804 consistent calculation methods and database versions are used and when the building context istaken into account, i.e. on the basis of the same use-classification (EN ISO 10874), same service life and comparable
assumptions for the end of life.
Description of the Declared Functional Unit
The functional unit is one square meter of installed product and the use stage is considered for one year of service life.
Cut off Criteria
The cut-off criteria shall be 1% of renewable and non-renewable primary energy usage and 1% of the total mass of theunit process. The total neglected input flows per module shall be a maximum of 5% of energy usage and mass.
In practice, in this assessment, all data from the production data acquisition are considered, i.e. all raw materials usedas per formulation, use of water, electricity and other fuels, the required packaging materials, and all direct productionwaste. Transport data on all considered inputs and output material are also considered.
Allocations
In the present study some allocations have been made. Detailed explanations can be found in the chapters below.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Co-product allocation
No co-product allocation occurs in the product system.
Allocation of multi-input processes
The Production and End of Life stage include incineration plants. In these processes different products are treated
together within a process. The allocation procedures followed in these cases are based on a physical classification of
the mass flows or calorific values.
Credits from energy substitution are allocated to the production stage, because the gained energy from energy
substitution is lower than the energy input in this stage. The same quality of energy is considered.
Allocation procedure of reuse, recycling and recovery
The installation waste and end of life waste is fed into incineration processes. Incineration processes include
cogeneration processes which give thermal and power energy as outputs. It is assumed that this recovered energy
offsets that produced by the European average grid mix and thermal energy generation from natural gas.
Description of the allocation processes in the LCA report
The description of allocation rules in of this LCA report meets the requirements of the PCR.
LCA Data
As a general rule, specific data derived from specific production processes or average data derived from specificproduction processes have been used as the first choice as a basis for calculating an EPD.
For life cycle modeling of the considered products, the GaBi 6 Software System for Life Cycle Engineering, developedby Thinkstep has been used. All relevant LCA datasets are taken from the GaBi 6 software database. The datasetsfrom the database GaBi are documented in the online documentation. To ensure comparability of results in the LCA,
the basic data of GaBi database were used for energy, transportation and auxiliary materials.
Data Quality
The requirements for data quality and LCA data correspond to the specifications of the PCR.
Foreground data are based on 1 year averaged data (year 2017). The reference ages of LCA datasets vary but are
given in the table in the Appendix. The time period over which inputs to and outputs from the system is accounted foris 100 years from the year for which the data set is deemed representative. The technological LCA of the collected
data reflects the physical reality of the declared product. The datasets are complete, conform to the system boundaries
and the criteria for the exclusion of inputs and outputs and are geographical representative for the supply chain ofForbo flooring.
For life cycle modeling of the considered products the GaBi 6 Software System for Life Cycle Engineering, developed

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

by Thinkstep, is used. All relevant LCA datasets are taken from the GaBi 6 software database. The last revision of theused data sets took place within the last 10 years.
System Boundaries
Production Stage includes provision of all materials, products and energy, packaging processing and its transport, as
well as waste processing up to the end-of waste state or disposal of final residues during the product stage.
Transport and Installation Stage includes provision of all materials, products and energy, as well as waste processing
up to the end-of-waste state or disposal of final residues during the construction stage. These information modules
also include all impacts and aspects related to any losses during this construction stage (i.e. production, transport, andwaste processing and disposal of the lost products and materials). For the transportation a worldwide distribution isconsidered.
Use Stage includes provision and transport of all materials, products and related energy and water use, as well as
waste processing up to the end-of-waste state or disposal of final residues during this part of the use stage. These
information modules also include all impacts and aspects related to the losses during this part of the use stage (i.e.
production, transport, and waste processing and disposal of the lost products and materials).
End of Life Stage includes provision and all transports, provision of all materials, products and related energy andwater use. It also includes any declared benefits and loads from net flows leaving the product system that have notbeen allocated as co-products and that have passed the end-of-waste state in the form of reuse, recovery and/or
recycling potentials.
Power mix
The selection of LCA data for the electricity generation is in line with the PCR.
The products are manufactured in Coevorden, the Netherlands. The GaBi 6 Hydropower dataset has therefore beenused (reference year 2017). The energy supplier is providing Forbo with a certificate every year.
CO2-Certificates
No CO2-certificates are considered in this study.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Life Cycle Inventory Analysis
In table 2 the environmental impacts for one lifecycle are presented for Allura. In table 3 and 4 the environmental
impacts are presented for all the lifecycle stages.
Table 2: Results of the LCA – Environmental impacts one lifecycle (one year) – Allura 0.7

Impact Category : CML 2001 – Jan. 2016

Allura 0.7

Allura 0.55

Unit

Global Warming Potential (GWP 100 years)

1,81E+01

1,56E+01

kg CO2-Equiv.

Ozone Layer Depletion Potential (ODP. steady state)
Acidification Potential (AP)
Eutrophication Potential (EP)5,89E-08
3,20E-02
4,44E-03

5,08E-08
2,78E-02
3,82E-03

kg R11-Equiv.
kg SO2-Equiv.
kg Phosphate-Equiv.

Photochem. Ozone Creation Potential (POCP)
Abiotic Depletion Potential Elements (ADPE)
Abiotic Depletion Potential Fossil (ADPF)

2,68E-03
4,05E-05
2,13E+02

2,32E-03
3,53E-05
1,79E+02

kg Ethene-Equiv.
kg Sb-Equiv.
[MJ]

Table 3: Results of the LCA – Environmental impact for Allura 0.7 (one year)
Impact Category :Manufacturing
Installation
Use (1yr)
CML 2001 – Jan. 2016
Parameter
Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
GWP
[kg CO2-Eq.]
9,69E+00
4,74E-01 7,06E-01
3,16E-01
ODP[kg CFC11-Eq.]
5,63E-08
7,51E-15 5,47E-10
2,06E-09
AP[kg SO2-Eq.]
1,75E-02
3,83E-03 1,34E-03
7,82E-04
EP[kg PO43-- Eq.]
3,60E-03
5,03E-04 2,00E-04
1,07E-04
POCP[kg Ethen Eq.]
2,71E-03-1,14E-04 1,29E-04
5,51E-05
ADPE[kg Sb Eq.]
3,67E-05
1,85E-08 1,45E-07
1,58E-07
ADPF[MJ]
2,07E+02
3,89E+00 1,35E+01 3,53E+00

End of Life
C1
7,49E-03
3,33E-14
2,13E-05
1,99E-06
1,33E-06
3,98E-09
7,98E-02

C2
2,51E-02
6,84E-16
6,09E-05
1,54E-05-2,11E-05
2,06E-09
3,41E-01

Credits
C3
9,22E+00
8,20E-13
1,23E-02
4,25E-04
2,22E-04
4,15E-06
1,57E+01

D-2,29E+00-4,96E-12-3,84E-03-4,15E-04-3,01E-04-6,46E-07-3,15E+01

GWP = Global warming potential; ODP = Depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer; AP = Acidification potential of land and water; EP = Eutrophication potential; POCP
= Formation potential of tropospheric ozone photochemical oxidants; ADPE = Abiotic depletion potential for non-fossil resources; ADPF = Abiotic depletion potential for fossil
resources

Table 4: Results of the LCA – Environmental impact for Allura 0.55 (one year)
Impact Category :Manufacturing
Installation
Use (1yr)
CML 2001 – Jan. 2016
Parameter
Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
GWP
[kg CO2-Eq.]
8,13E+00
4,15E-01 6,18E-01
3,16E-01
ODP[kg CFC11-Eq.]
4,83E-08
6,57E-15 4,79E-10
2,06E-09
AP[kg SO2-Eq.]
1,51E-02
3,35E-03 1,17E-03
7,82E-04
EP[kg PO43-- Eq.]
3,07E-03
4,40E-04 1,75E-04
1,07E-04
POCP[kg Ethen Eq.]
2,34E-03-1,00E-04 1,13E-04
5,51E-05
ADPE[kg Sb Eq.]
3,19E-05
1,62E-08 1,27E-07
1,58E-07
ADPF[MJ]
1,74E+02
3,40E+00 1,19E+01 3,53E+00

End of LifeC1
6,56E-03
2,92E-14
1,86E-05
1,75E-06
1,17E-06
3,49E-09
6,99E-02

C2
2,20E-02
5,99E-16
5,33E-05
1,35E-05-1,84E-05
1,80E-09
2,98E-01

Credits
C3
8,07E+00
7,18E-13
1,07E-02
3,72E-04
1,95E-04
3,63E-06
1,38E+01

D-2,00E+00-4,35E-12-3,36E-03-3,64E-04-2,63E-04-5,65E-07-2,76E+01

GWP = Global warming potential; ODP = Depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer; AP = Acidification potential of land and water; EP = Eutrophication potential; POCP
= Formation potential of tropospheric ozone photochemical oxidants; ADPE = Abiotic depletion potential for non-fossil resources; ADPF = Abiotic depletion potential for fossil
resources

The relative contribution of each process stage to each impact category for Allura 0.7 is shown in figure 3 and forLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Allura 0.55 in figure 4.
Figure 3: relative contribution of each process stage to each impact category for Allura 0.7 for a one year usage.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Figure 4: relative contribution of each process stage to each impact category for Allura 0.55 for a one year usage.

Interpretation
The interpretation of the results has been carried out considering the assumptions and limitations declared in the EPD,
both methodology- and data-related for a one year usage.
In all of the impact categories the production stage has the main contribution to the overall impact. The raw material
supply is the key contributor for all of these impact categories with a share of 79 – 98% of the total impact of the
production stage. Main contributors for the raw materials are the production of PVC and plasticizers.
Although Forbo declares in the EPD a worldwide distribution by truck (985 km) and container ship (2130 km) thetransport stage has a limited effect on most of the impacts. Only AP and EP have a significant share of 11-12% which
is mainly due to the ocean ship used for transporting the material overseas.
For AP, EP, GWP, POCP, and ADPF the adhesive as main contributor for the flooring installation has a minor impactof 4 – 6% of the total environmental impact of Allura.
In the Use stage ADPF, AP, EP, GWP, ODP and POCP have a share between 1.5 to 4% of the total impacts. This isLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

mainly caused by the electricity needed to vacuum the floor and to a lower extent by the detergent used to clean thefloor. The cleaning regime used in the calculations is a worst case scenario which will be in practice almost always belower.
Energy recovery from incineration and the respective energy substitution at the end of life results in a small credit for
ADPF and POCP in the End of Life stage. For EP and ODP the End of Life stage has a very small impact on the total.
This is mainly due to the fact that the waste at the End of Life stage is considered as being incinerated.
For GWP, ADPE and AP the End of Life stage has got a big influence of respectively 39, 9 and 27% on the total
impacts of these impact categories. Also for these three categories this is caused by the incineration of the waste at
the End of Life stage.
Resource use
In table 5 and 6 the parameters describing resource use are presented for all the lifecycle stages for a one year usage.
Table 5: Results of the LCA – Resource use for Allura 0.7 (one year)
Manufacturing
Installation
Use (1yr)
End of Life
Parameter Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
C2
C3
PERE
[MJ]
3,18E+01
PERM[MJ]
0,00E+00
PERT[MJ]
3,18E+01
1,49E-01 4,82E-01 1,58E+00 5,14E-02 1,89E-02
3,17E+00
PENRE[MJ]
1,89E+02
PENRM[MJ]
3,09E+01
PENRT[MJ]
2,19E+02
3,90E+00 1,38E+01 5,40E+00 1,37E-01 3,42E-01
1,75E+01SM[kg]
4,31E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00
RSF[MJ]
5,40E-07
1,42E-29 5,98E-21 3,48E-24 0,00E+00 1,85E-30
1,24E-20
NRSF[MJ]
6,84E-06
2,15E-28 7,03E-20 4,09E-23 2,03E-31 2,80E-29
1,46E-19FW[m3]
2,73E-02
2,75E-04 2,44E-03 2,38E-03 7,01E-05 3,47E-05
1,91E-02

Credits
D-7,70E+00-4,00E+01
0,00E+00
0,00E+00-3,03E-29-1,05E-02

PERE = Use of renewable primary energy excluding renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials; PERM = Use of renewable primary energy resources
used as raw materials; PERT = Total use of renewable primary energy resources; PENRE = Use of non-renewable primary energy excluding non-renewable primaryenergy resources used as raw materials; PENRM = Use of non-renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials; PENRT = Total use of non-renewableprimary energy resources; SM = Use of secondary material; RSF = Use of renewable secondary fuels; NRSF = Use of non-renewable secondary fuels; FW = Use of
net fresh water

Table 6: Results of the LCA – Resource use for Allura 0.55 (one year)
Manufacturing
Installation
Use (1yr)
End of Life
Parameter Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
C2
C3
PERE
[MJ]
2,59E+01
PERM[MJ]
0,00E+00
PERT[MJ]
2,59E+01
1,30E-01 4,22E-01 1,58E+00 4,50E-02 1,65E-02
2,77E+00
PENRE[MJ]
1,54E+02
PENRM[MJ]
3,07E+01
PENRT[MJ]
1,85E+02
3,41E+00 1,21E+01 5,40E+00 1,20E-01 2,99E-01
1,53E+01SM[kg]
3,51E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00
RSF[MJ]
4,44E-07
1,24E-29 5,24E-21 3,48E-24 0,00E+00 1,62E-30
1,09E-20
NRSF[MJ]
5,63E-06
1,89E-28 6,15E-20 4,09E-23 1,78E-31 2,45E-29
1,28E-19FW[m3]
2,35E-02
2,41E-04 2,14E-03 2,38E-03 6,14E-05 3,04E-05
1,67E-02

Credits
D-6,74E+00-3,50E+01
0,00E+00
0,00E+00-2,65E-29-9,19E-03

PERE = Use of renewable primary energy excluding renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials; PERM = Use of renewable primary energy resources
used as raw materials; PERT = Total use of renewable primary energy resources; PENRE = Use of non-renewable primary energy excluding non-renewable primaryenergy resources used as raw materials; PENRM = Use of non-renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials; PENRT = Total use of non-renewableLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

primary energy resources; SM = Use of secondary material; RSF = Use of renewable secondary fuels; NRSF = Use of non-renewable secondary fuels; FW = Use of
net fresh water

Waste categories and output flows
In table 7 and 8 other environmental information describing different waste categories and output flows are presented for all the
lifecycle stages.
Table 7: Results of the LCA – Output flows and Waste categories for Allura 0.7 (one year)
Manufacturing Transport Installation Use (1yr)Parameter
Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
HWD
[kg]
1,56E-03
1,52E-07
4,18E-09
2,17E-09
6,42E-11
NHWD
2,80E-01
2,28E-04
4,81E-03
1,30E-02
9,64E-05
[kg]
RWD
[kg]
4,19E-03
5,12E-06
1,20E-04
7,17E-04
2,27E-05
CRU[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
MFR[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
MER[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
EE Power[MJ]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
2,45E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
EE Thermal
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
4,41E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
energy[MJ]

End of Life/credits
C2
C3
1,98E-08
1,11E-07
2,86E-05 5,72E+00
4,68E-07
6,87E-04
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 9,44E+00

D-1,63E-08-1,71E-02-3,38E-03
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00

0,00E+00

0,00E+00

1,72E+01

HWD = Hazardous waste disposed; NHWD = Non-hazardous waste disposed; RWD = Radioactive waste disposed; CRU = Components for re-use; MFR = Materials
for recycling; MER = Materials for energy recovery; EE = Exported energy per energy carrier

Table 8: Results of the LCA – Output flows and Waste categories for Allura 0.55 (one year)
Manufacturing Transport Installation Use (1yr)Parameter
Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
HWD
[kg]
1,37E-03
1,33E-07
3,66E-09
2,17E-09
5,62E-11
NHWD
2,12E-01
2,00E-04
4,21E-03
1,30E-02
8,44E-05
[kg]
RWD
[kg]
3,57E-03
4,48E-06
1,05E-04
7,17E-04
1,99E-05
CRU[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
MFR[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
MER[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
EE Power[MJ]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
2,15E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
EE Thermal
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
3,86E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
energy[MJ]

End of Life/credits
C2
C3
1,73E-08
9,71E-08
2,51E-05 5,00E+00
4,10E-07
6,02E-04
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 8,27E+00

D-1,43E-08-1,50E-02-2,96E-03
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00

0,00E+00

0,00E+00

1,51E+01

HWD = Hazardous waste disposed; NHWD = Non-hazardous waste disposed; RWD = Radioactive waste disposed; CRU = Components for re-use; MFR = Materials
for recycling; MER = Materials for energy recovery; EE = Exported energy per energy carrier

Additional Environmental Information
To be fully transparant Forbo Flooring does not only want to declare the environmental impacts required in the PCR,
but also the impacts on human health and eco-toxicity. Furthermore the outcome of the calculations according to theeuropean Standard EN15804 are published in this section.
Toxicity
For this calculations the USEtoxTM model is used as being the globally recommended preferred model forcharacterization modeling of human and eco-toxic impacts in LCIA by the United Nations Environment Programme
SETAC Life Cycle Initiative.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

According to the "ILCD Handbook: Recommendations for Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context" therecommended characterization models and associated characterization factors are classified according to their quality
into three levels:o Level I (recommended and satisfactory),o level II (recommended but in need of some improvements)o level III (recommended, but to be applied with caution).
A mixed classification sometimes is related to the application of the classified method to different types of substances.
USEtoxTM is classified as Level II / III, unlike for example the CML impact categories which are classified as Level I.
Table 9: Results of the LCA – Environmental impacts one lifecycle (one year) – Allura
Impact Category : USEtox
Allura 0.7
Allura 0.55
Eco toxicity
1,47E-02
1,25E-02
Human toxicity, cancer
3,30E-09
2,79E-09
Human toxicity, non-canc.
1,39E-09
1,19E-09

Unit
PAF m3.day
Cases
Cases

In the following tables the impacts are subdivided into the lifecycle stages.
Table 10 Results of the LCA – Environmental impact for Allura 0.7 (one year)
Impact Category : USEtox

Unit

Production

Transport

Installation

Use (1yr)

End of Life

Eco toxicity

PAF m3.day

1,20E-02

9,07E-04

1,39E-03

4,43E-04-6,13E-05

Human toxicity, cancer

cases

3,38E-09

8,58E-13

2,46E-11

1,23E-11-1,11E-10

Human toxicity, non-canc.

cases

1,30E-09

3,71E-13

8,96E-11

7,13E-13-2,67E-12

Table 11: Results of the LCA – Environmental impact for Allura 0.55 (one year)
Impact Category : USEtox

Unit

Production

Transport

Installation

Use (1yr)

End of Life

Eco toxicity

PAF m3.day

1,01E-02

7,94E-04

1,21E-03

4,43E-04-5,37E-05

Human toxicity, cancer

cases

2,86E-09

7,52E-13

2,15E-11

1,23E-11-9,74E-11

Human toxicity, non-canc.

cases

1,12E-09

3,25E-13

7,84E-11

7,13E-13-2,33E-12

Interpretation
The interpretation of the results has been carried out considering the assumptions and limitations declared in the EPD,
both methodology- and data-related for a one year usage.
In all the Toxicity categories the production stage is the main contributor to the total overall impact. The raw material
supply has a share of 80-96% of the production stage, mainly caused by the manufacturing of PVC.
The transport stage is negligible for Human toxicity (cancer) and Human toxicity (non-canc.). For Ecotoxicity it has arelatively minor impact of 6%, mainly caused by the use of diesel for the trucks.
The adhesive used for the installation of Allura is the dominant contributor for all toxicity categories, where especially
Ecotoxicity is having a significant share of almost 10% over the total impacts of the life cycles.
The Use stage has a minor impact for all three impact categories. This is mainly due to the use of electricity andLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

detergent for the cleaning of the floor. The cleaning regime used in the calculations is a worst case scenario which will
be in practice almost always be lower.
Energy recovery from incineration and the respective energy substitution at the end of life results in a very small credit
for all three toxicity categories.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

References
GABI 6 2012
GABI 6 2012DUL ENVIRONMENT
PE 2012ILCD Handbook: General
guide for Life Cycle
Assessment - Detailed
guidance
STANDARDS AND LAWSDIN EN ISO 14044
ISO 14025 2006
ISO 14040 2006
CEN/TR 15941
EN 16810
EN 15804
CPR

EN-ISO 10874
EN-ISO 10582

PE INTERNATIONAL AG; GaBi 6: Software-System and Database for Life Cycle
Engineering. Copyright, TM. Stuttgart, Echterdingen, 1992-2017.
GaBi 6: Documentation of GaBi 6: Software-System and Database for Life Cycle
Engineering. Copyright, TM. Stuttgart, Echterdingen, 1992-2017. http://documentation.gabisoftware.com/
UL Environment’s Program Operator Rules
Description of Selected Impact Categories, PE International AG, 2012
European Commission-Joint Research Centre - Institute for Environment and Sustainability:
International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook- Recommendations forLife Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context. First edition November 2011. EUR
24571 EN. Luxemburg. Publications Office of the European Union; 2011
Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Requirements and guidelines (ISO14044:2006); German and English version EN ISO 14044
DIN EN ISO 14025: Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental
declarations — Principles and procedures
Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework (ISO14040); German and English version EN ISO 14040
Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product declarations - Methodology forselection and use of generic data; German version CEN/TR 15941
Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings - Environmental product declarations - Productcategory rules
EN 15804: Sustainability of construction works — Environmental Product Declarations —Core rules for the product category of construction products
REGULATION (EU) No 305/2011 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE
COUNCIL of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonized conditions for the marketing of
construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC
Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings – Classification
Resilient floor coverings – Heterogeneous poly(vinyl chloride) floor coverings - Specification

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Life Cycle Assessment
Allura

LCA study conducted by:
Forbo Flooring
Industrieweg 121566 JP Assendelft
The Netherlands

July 2018

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Authors:
Floris Zeitler, Forbo

Forbo Flooring BV

Industrieweg 121566 JP Assendelft, The NetherlandsTel.
+31 (0) 75 6477477
Fax+31 (0) 75 6477707
E-mailfloris.zeitler@forbo.com
Internet
www.forbo-flooring.com

Nomenclature
Abbreviation
ADPF
ADPE
AP
BLBSB
CRU
EE
EP
EPD
FCSS
FW
GWP
HWD
LCA
LCI
LCIA
MER
MFR
NRSF
ODP
PENRE
PENRM
PENRT
PERE
PERM
PERT
PCR
POCP
RSF
RSL
RWD
SM

Explanation
Abiotic Depletion Potential Fossil
Abiotic Depletion Potential Elements
Acidification Potential
Benefits and Loads Beyond the System Boundary
Components for re-use
Exported energy per energy carrier
Eutrophication Potential
Environmental Product Declaration
Floor Covering Standard Symbol
Use of net fresh water
Global Warming Potential
Hazardous waste disposed
Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Inventory analysis
Life Cycle Impact Assessment
Materials for energy recovery
Materials for recycling
Use of non-renewable secondary fuels
Ozone Layer Depletion Potential
Use of non-renewable primary energy excluding non-renewable primary energy resources used as
raw materials
Use of non-renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials
Total use of non-renewable primary energy resources
Use of renewable primary energy excluding renewable primary energy resources used as raw
materials
Use of renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials
Total use of renewable primary energy resources
Product Category Rules
Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential
Use of renewable secondary fuels
Reference Service LifeRadioactive waste disposed
Use of secondary material

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

GeneralThe present LCA study of the company Forbo Flooring, a manufacturer of resilient floor coverings, has been performed
by Forbo Flooring and has been conducted according to the requirements of the European Standard EN15804 andEN16810 “Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings – Environmental product declarations – Product categoryrules. The LCA report was sent to verification on 12/07/18.

Scope
This document is the LCA report for the “Environmental Product Declaration” (EPD) of "Allura".
The provision of an LCA report is required for each EPD of the EPD-program holder (UL Environment). This documentshows how the calculation rules were applied and describes additional LCA information on the Life Cycle Assessmentin accordance with the requirements of ISO 14040 series.

Content, structure and accessibility of the LCA report
The LCA report provides a systematic and comprehensive summary of the project documentation supporting theverification of an EPD.
The report documents the information on which the Life Cycle Assessment is based, while also ensuring the additional
information contained within the EPD complies with the requirements of ISO 14040 series.
The LCA report contains all of the data and information of importance for the details published in the EPD. Care isbeen given to all explanations as to how the data and information declared in the EPD arises from the Life Cycle
Assessment.
The verification of the EPD is aligned towards the structure of the rule document based on ISO 14025, EN15804 andEN 16810.

Goal of the study
The reason for performing this LCA study is to publish an EPD based on EN 16810, EN 15804 and ISO 14025.
This study contains the calculation and interpretation of the LCA results for Allura complying with EN-ISO 10582:
Resilient floor coverings – Heterogeneous polyvinyl chloride floor coverings - Specification.
Manufactured by
Forbo-Novilon B.V.
De Holwert 127741 KC Coevorden
The Netherlands
The following life cycle stages were considered:- Product stage- Transport stage- Installation stage- Use stage- End-of-life stage- Benefits and loads beyond the product system boundary
The main purpose of EPD is for use in business-to-business communication. As all EPD are publicly available on thewebsite of UL Environment and therefore are accessible to the end consumer they can also be used in business-toconsumer communication.
The intended use of the EPD is to communicate environmentally related information and LCA results to support theassessment of the sustainable use of resources and of the impact of construction works on the environmentLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Scope of the study
Declared / functional unit
The declaration refers to the declared/functional unit of 1m² installed flooring product.
Declaration of construction products classes
The LCA report refers to a manufacturer declaration of type 1a): Declaration of a specific product from amanufacturer’s plant.
Allura Vinyls are also known under the following brand names:
Allura Wood, Allura Stone, Allura Abstract and Allura Strips
Allura is produced at the following manufacturing site:
Forbo-Novilon B.V.
De Holwert 127741 KC Coevorden
The NetherlandsLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Product Definition
Product Classification and description
This declaration covers the Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles collection, Forbo Allura LVT is a range of versatile luxury vinyl tiles
that suit a wide range of applications. Each design comes in its natural form. Color tones, grain, plank size andembossing are created in such a way that the natural material is presented in real life. Allura combines the aesthetics
of natural wood and stone flooring with the advantages of strong and durable LVT: warm underfoot, sound absorbing,easy installation & maintenance. A record of sustainable criteria makes Allura LVT a preferred choice: phthalate freewith recycled raw material, produced by using green energy in efficient manufacturing environments that can boast
100% recycling capability.
Allura LVT from Forbo Flooring is a resilient floor covering complying with all the requirements of EN-ISO 10582:
Resilient floor coverings – Heterogeneous polyvinyl chloride floor coverings - Specification. The key raw materials
include PVC, plasticizer, mineral filler, stabilizers and glass fiber.
Allura is produced by Forbo Flooring and is sold worldwide. This declaration refers to Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles of 2.5 mm
nominal thickness with a 0,70 mm or a 0.55 mm wear layer covering a broad range of designs and colors :Allura Wood, Allura Stone, Allura Abstract and Allura Strips
Allura is built up in 5 layers:

Proven PUR lacquer with embossed topcoat - scratch andstain resistant topcoat, optimal to clean and maintain
Calandered transparent wear layer – a durable wear layer
suitable for high traffic areas
Printed layer on top of a coated layer – multiple layers of
ink creating depth in authentic patterns
Thick glass fleece carrier – the basis for dimensional
stable planks and tiles
Embossed balancing backing layer – maximal adhesion
including ≥20% recycled content
Figure 1: Typical construction

This declaration refers to the declared/functional unit of 1 m2 installed flooring product.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Range of application
Allura is classified in accordance with EN-ISO 10582 to be installed in the following use areas defined in EN-ISO10874:
Area of application

Allura 0.55

Allura 0.70

Class 33Class 34Class 42Class 43

Commercial

Industrial

Product Standard
The products considered in this EPD have the following technical specifications:o Meets or exceeds all technical requirements in EN-ISO 10582 Resilient floor coverings – Heterogeneous
polyvinyl chloride floor coverings - Specification

Allura meets the requirements of EN 14041
EN 13501-1
Reaction to fireBfl – s1
EN 13893
Slip resistance
DS: ≥ 0,30
EN 1815
Body voltage< 2 kVEN ISO10456 Thermal conductivity 0,25 W/mK

AccreditationoooISO 9001 Quality Management System
ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
SA 8000 Social Accountability Standard

Delivery status
Characteristics

Nominal Value(0.55 wear layer)
2.50

Unit

Product thickness

Nominal Value(0.70 wear layer)
2.50

Product Weight

3.60

3.40

kg/m2

Tiles
Width x Length
Planks Width x Length

50x50 / 75x25 / 75x50 / 75x75 / 100x100
50x15 / HP 90x15 / 100x15 / 120x20 / 150x28 / 180x32

mm

cmLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Material Content
Component

Material

BinderFillerStabilizers andprocess additives
Carrier
Pigments
FinishRecycleAvailability

Mass %

Origin of raw material

PVC
DOTP & Dibenzoates

Non-renewable – limited
Non-renewable - limited

43
16

Calcium carbonate
Dolomite
proprietary mixtures &lubricantsGlass fiber tissue
Titanium Dioxide plus
othersPU lacquer
Post-production waste

Abundant mineral
Abundant mineral169Europenon-renewable - limited

3.5

EuropeNonrenewable - limited

1.5

Netherlands/Germany

Nonrenewable - limited< 0.5

EuropeNonrenewable - limited

< 0.5
10

EuropeInternal

EuropeEuropeProduction of Main Materials
PVC: Polymer which is produced by the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer.
DOTP: A non-phthalate plasticizer, being the diester of terephthalic acid and the branched-chain 2-ethylhexanol. This
colorless viscous liquid used for softening PVC plastics is known for chemical similarity to general purpose phthalates
such as DEHP and DINP, but without any negative regulatory pressure.
Stabilizer Ba/Zn: Mixed metal stabilizer made from barium and zinc stearate. It is used to avoid PVC degradation during
processing at relative high temperature.
Calcium carbonate: An abundant mineral found in all parts of the world as the chief substance in rocks (i.e., marble
and limestone). It can be ground to varying particle sizes and is widely used as filler.
Dolomite: An abundant mineral mined in northern Norway
Titanium dioxide: A white pigment produced from the mineral rutile, a naturally occurring form of titanium dioxide. The
production of the pigment is a large-scale chemical process.
Finish: Thermally cross linked polyurethane coating.

Production of the Floor Covering
The production of Allura LVT includes the following processes :• Preparation of PVC plastisols (mixture of PVC, plasticizer, filler and additives)• Impregnation of the glass fleece with a highly filled plastisol followed by the application of a thin white plastisol
coating.
• Rotogravure printing, using water based inks, to produce wood, stone or abstract designs.
Digital HD printing, using water based inks, to produce wood, stone or abstract designs• Application of calendered PVC topcoat and PU lacquer. The topcoat is mechanically embossed to enhancethe decorative effect.
• A calendered back layer is then applied to the product. This layer contains a minimum of 20% of productionwaste.
• The finished product is then trimmed, inspected and cut into tiles of a specified size.
• Trimmings & rejected product are recycled back into the calendered backing layer.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Health, Safety and Environmental Aspects during Production•

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System•

SA 8000 Social Accountability standard

Production Waste
Rejected material and the cuttings of the trimming stage are being reused in the manufacturing process of heterogeneous
vinyl.
Packaging materials are being collected separately and externally recycled.

Delivery and Installation of the Floor Covering
DeliveryA worldwide distribution by truck and container ship is considered. On average every square meter of Allura
is transported as follows:o Transport distance 40 t truck
720 kmo Transport distance 7.5t truck (Fine distribution)
265 kmo Capacity utilization trucks (including empty runs) 85 %o Transport distance Ocean ship
2130 kmo Capacity utilization Ocean ship48%
Installation
Because of the specific techniques used during the installation of Allura approximately 2% of the material is cut off as
installation waste. For installation of Allura on the floor a scenario has been modeled assuming 0.25 kg/m2 of adhesive
is applied to the sub-floor. Waste during the installation process may be recycled through the manufacturer’s facility or
disposed of via landfill or incineration.

Health, Safety and Environmental Aspects during Installation
Forbo flooring recommends to use (low) zero emission adhesives for installing Allura floorcovering.

Waste
Waste during the installation process may be recycled as floor covering through the manufacturers’ facilities ordisposed of via land fill or thermally recycled in a waste incineration plant.

Packaging
Cardboard tubes and packaging paper can be collected separately and should be used in a local recycling process. In
the calculation model 100% incineration is taken into account for which there is a credit received.

Use stage
The service lifetime of a floor covering for a certain application on a floor is too widespread to give one common
number. For this EPD model the reference service lifetime (RSL) is set to one year. This means that all impacts for theuse phase are based on the cleaning and maintenance model for one year. Depending on the area of use, thetechnical lifetime advised by the manufacturer and the estimated time on the floor by the customer, the service lifetime

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

can be determined. The use phase impacts should be calculated with the foreseen service life to arrive at the total
environmental impact.

Cleaning and Maintenance
Level of use
Commercial/Residential/Industrial

Cleaning Process
Vacuuming
Damp mopping

Cleaning Frequency
Twice a week
Once a week

Consumption of energy
and resources
Electricity
Hot water
Neutral detergent

For the calculations the following cleaning regime is considered:- Dry cleaning with a 1.5 kW vacuum cleaner for 0.21 min/m 2, twice a week. This equates to 0.55
kWh/m2*year.
- Once a week wet cleaning with 0.062 l/m 2 water and 0.0008 kg/m 2 detergent. This result in the use of
3.224 l/m2*year water and 0.04 kg/m2*year detergent. The wet cleaning takes place without power machine
usage. Waste water treatment of the arising waste water from cleaning is considered.
The cleaning regime that is recommended in practice will be highly dependent on the use of the premises where thefloor covering is installed. In high traffic areas more frequent cleaning will be needed compared to areas where there is
low traffic. The use of an entrance mat of at least four steps will reduce the cleaning frequency.
The cleaning regime used in the calculations is suitable for high traffic areas and is a worst case scenario.

Prevention of Structural Damage
All newly laid floor covering should be covered and protected with a suitable non-staining protective covering if otherbuilding activities are still in progress. Use protective feet on chairs and tables to reduce scratching. Castor wheels
should be suitable for resilient floor coverings

Health Aspects during Usage
Allura is complying with:•AgBB requirements•

CHPS section 01350•

French act Grenelle: A+

Low emissions & phthalate free manufacturing ensures Allura can contribute to a healthy indoor environment

End of LifeThe deconstruction of installed Allura from the floor is done mechanically and the electrical energy needed for this isestimated to be 0.03 kWh/sqm. This amount of energy is included into the calculations.
For the End of Life stage 100% incineration is taken into account, the average distance to the incineration plant or
landfill facility per lorry is set to 200 km.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Life Cycle Assessment
A full Life Cycle Assessment has bee carried out according to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
The following Life Cycle Stages are assessed :o A1-3 : Product Stage (Raw material acquisition, transportation to Manufacturing and Manufacturing)o A4-5 : Construction stage (Transport Gate to User, Installation flooring)o B2 :
Use Stage (Maintenance of the floor)o C1-4 : End of Life Stage (Deconstruction, transport, waste processing, disposal)
o D:
Benefits and loads beyond the system boundary (Reuse, recovery, recycling potential)
Product stage(A1-3)

A1 : Raw
Material
Extraction andProcessing

A2 : Transport

Construction process stage(A4-5)

Use stage (B2)A5 :Construction or
installation
process

B2 :Maintenance
Cleaning
regimeA3 : PVC
mixing,Sheet making,A4 : Transport

A3 :Manufacturing
Energies with
regionalreference

Benefits andloads beyond thesystem boundary(D)End-of Life stage(C1-4)

Lacquering &embossing,C1 : Deconstruction
demolition

C2 :Transport

C3 : Waste
processing

C4 :DisposalD:
Reuse,
recovery,recycling
potential

Tile cutting

Figure 2 : Flow chart of the Life Cycle Assessment

Comparisons of different floor coverings are only allowed, where EN 15804 consistent and/or preverified backgrounddata and EN 15804 consistent calculation methods and database versions are used and when the building context istaken into account, i.e. on the basis of the same use-classification (EN ISO 10874), same service life and comparable
assumptions for the end of life.

Description of the declared Functional Unit
The functional unit is one square meter of installed product and the use stage is considered for one year of service life.

Cut off Criteria
The cut-off criteria shall be 1% of renewable and non-renewable primary energy usage and 1% of the total mass of theunit process. The total neglected input flows per module shall be a maximum of 5% of energy usage and mass.
In practice, in this assessment, all data from the production data acquisition are considered, i.e. all raw materials usedas per formulation, use of water, electricity and other fuels, the required packaging materials, and all direct productionwaste. Transport data on all considered inputs and output material are also considered.

LCA Data
As a general rule, specific data derived from specific production processes or average data derived from specificproduction processes have been used as the first choice as a basis for calculating an EPD.
For life cycle modeling of the considered products, the GaBi 6 Software System for Life Cycle Engineering, developedby THINKSTEP, has been used. All relevant LCA datasets are taken from the GaBi 6 software database. The datasets

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

from the database GaBi are documented in the online documentation. To ensure comparability of results in the LCA,
the basic data of GaBi database were used for energy, transportation and auxiliary materials.

Data Quality
The requirements for data quality and LCA data correspond to the specifications of the PCR.
Foreground data are based on 1 year averaged data (year 2017). The reference ages of LCA datasets vary but are
given in the table in the Appendix. The time period over which inputs to and outputs from the system is accounted foris 100 years from the year for which the data set is deemed representative. The technological LCA of the collected
data reflects the physical reality of the declared product. The datasets are complete, conform to the system boundaries
and the criteria for the exclusion of inputs and outputs and are geographical representative for the supply chain ofForbo flooring.
For life cycle modeling of the considered products the GaBi 6 Software System for Life Cycle Engineering, developedby THINKSTEP, is used. All relevant LCA datasets are taken from the GaBi 6 software database. The last revision of
the used data sets took place within the last 10 years.
Table 1: LCA datasets used in the LCA model

Data set
Polyvinyl chloride granulate
Di-Isononyl Phthalate (DOTP)
Benzoates
Titanium dioxide
Inorganic pigment
Barium-Zinc Stearate
Calcium carbonate
Dolomite
PU lacquer
Glass fiber tissue
Proprietary mixtures & lubricants
Water (desalinated; deionised)
Detergent (ammonia based)
Tap water
Adhesive for resilient flooring
Waste incineration of PVC
Electricity from Hydro power
Power grid mix
Thermal energy from natural gas
Thermal energy from natural gas
TrucksMunicipal waste water treatment (Sludge incineration).
Container ship
Diesel mix at refinery
Heavy fuel oil at refinery (1.0wt.% S)
Polyethylene film
Corrugated board
Kraft liner (Paper)

RegionGermany
Germany
EuropeEuropeGermany
EuropeGermany
Germany
EuropeGermany
GlobalGermany
Germany
Germany
Germany
EuropeThe Netherlands
EuropeThe Netherlands
EuropeGlobalEuropeGlobalEuropeEuropeGermany
EuropeEuropeReference year
2017
2012
2013
2012
2010
2012
2017
2007
2012
2018
2012
2017
2007
2017
2012
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

The documentation of the LCA data sets can be taken from the GaBi documentation.

System Boundaries
Production Stage includes provision of all materials, products and energy, packaging processing and its transport, as
well as waste processing up to the end-of waste state or disposal of final residues during the product stage.
Transport and Installation Stage includes provision of all materials, products and energy, as well as waste processing
up to the end-of-waste state or disposal of final residues during the construction stage. These information modules
also include all impacts and aspects related to any losses during this construction stage (i.e. production, transport, andwaste processing and disposal of the lost products and materials). For the transportation a worldwide distribution isconsidered.
Use Stage includes provision and transport of all materials, products and related energy and water use, as well as
waste processing up to the end-of-waste state or disposal of final residues during this part of the use stage. These
information modules also include all impacts and aspects related to the losses during this part of the use stage (i.e.
production, transport, and waste processing and disposal of the lost products and materials).
End of Life Stage includes provision and all transports, provision of all materials, products and related energy andwater use. It also includes any declared benefits and loads from net flows leaving the product system that have notbeen allocated as co-products and that have passed the end-of-waste state in the form of reuse, recovery and/or
recycling potentials.

Power mix
The selection of LCA data for the electricity generation is in line with the PCR.
The products are manufactured in Coevorden, the Netherlands. The GaBi 6 Hydro power datasets has therefore beenused (reference year 2017). The energy supplier is providing Forbo with a certificate every year.

CO2-Certificates
No CO2-certificates are considered in this study.

Allocations
In the present study some allocations have been made. Detailed explanations can be found in the chapters below.

Co-product allocation
No co-product allocation occurs in the product system.

Allocation of multi-Input processes
The Production and End of Life stage include incineration plants. In these processes different products are treated
together within a process. The allocation procedures followed in these cases are based on a physical classification of
the mass flows or calorific values.
Credits from energy substitution are allocated to the production stage, because the gained energy from energy
substitution is lower than the energy input in this stage. The same quality of energy is considered.

Allocation procedure of reuse, recycling and recovery
The installation waste and end of life waste can be fed into incineration processes. Incineration processes include
cogeneration processes which give thermal and power energy as outputs. It is assumed that this recovered energy
offsets that produced by the European average grid mix and thermal energy generation from natural gas.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Description of the allocation processes in the LCA report
The description of allocation rules in of this LCA report meets the requirements of the PCR.

Description of the unit processes in the LCA report
The modeling of the unit processes reported for the LCA are documented in a transparent way, respecting theconfidentiality of the data present in the LCA report.
In the following tables the type and amount of the different input and output flows are listed for 1m² produced flooring;
installed flooring includes the material loss during installation (2%):
Table 2: Composition of Allura

Process data
PVC
DOTP & Dibenzoates
Calcium carbonate
Dolomite
Proprietary mixtures & lubricants
BaZn-Stabilizer
Titanium Dioxide (main pigment) plus others
PU lacquer
Glass fiber tissue
Post-production waste

Unit
kg/m2
kg/m2
kg/m2
kg/m2
kg/m2
kg/m2
kg/m2
kg/m2
kg/m2
kg/m2

Allura
1.55
0.56
0.60
0.34
0.10
0.04
0.01
0.01
0.05
0.36

Table 3: Production related inputs/outputs

Process data
INPUTS
AlluraElectricity
Thermal energy from natural gas
Water
OUTPUTS
Allura
Waste
Water

Unit

Allura

kg
MJ
MJ
kg

4.13
8.07
18.99
0.8

kg
kg
kg

3.61
0.52
0.8

Table 4: Packaging requirements (per m2 manufactured product)

Process data
Polyethylene film
Corrugated board
Wooden pallets

Unit
kg
kg
kg

Allura
0.002
0.13
0.09

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Table 5: Transport distances

Process data
Calcium carbonate
PVC
DOTP
Titanium dioxide
BaZn-stabilizer
PVC waste recycling
Lacquer
Corrugated board
Wrapping paper
Polyethylene film
Transport to construction site :-Transport distance 40 t truck

Unit
km
km
km
km
km
km
km
km
km
km
km

-Transport distance 7.5t truck (Fine
distribution)

Road
1060
891
412
210
1010
1
210
50
180
2
985
720

Truck size
14 - 20t grossweight / 11,4t
payload capacity

34 - 40 t grossweight / 27t
payload capacity
7,5 t - 12t grossweight / 5t
payload capacity
7,5 t - 12t grossweight / 5t
payload capacity

265

Waste transport to incineration

km

Ship
2130

200

-

Table 6: Inputs/outputs from Installation

Process data
INPUTS
AlluraAdhesive (30% water content)- Water- Acrylate co-polymer- Styrene Butadiene co-polymer- Limestone flour- SandOUTPUTS
Installed Allura
Installation Waste

Unit

Allura

kg
kg

3.68
0.250

kg
kg

3.61
0.07

Table 7: Inputs from use stage (per m2.year of installed product)

Process data
Detergent
Electricity
Water

Unit
kg/yearkWh/yearkg/year

Allura
0.04
0.55
3.224

Unit
%

Allura100

Table 8: Disposal

Process data
Post-consumer Allura to incineration

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Life Cycle Inventory Analysis
In table 9 the environmental impacts for one lifecycle are presented for Allura. In the table 10 and 11 the environmental
impacts are presented for all the lifecycle stages.
Table 9: Results of the LCA – Environmental impacts one lifecycle (one year) – Allura

Impact Category : CML 2001 – April 2015

Allura 0.70

Allura 0.55

Unit

Global Warming Potential (GWP 100 years)

1,81E+01

1,56E+01

kg CO2-Equiv.

Ozone Layer Depletion Potential (ODP. steady state)
Acidification Potential (AP)
Eutrophication Potential (EP)5,89E-08
3,20E-02
4,44E-03

5,08E-08
2,78E-02
3,82E-03

kg R11-Equiv.
kg SO2-Equiv.
kg Phosphate-Equiv.

Photochem. Ozone Creation Potential (POCP)
Abiotic Depletion Potential Elements (ADPE)
Abiotic Depletion Potential Fossil (ADPF)

2,68E-03
4,05E-05
2,13E+02

2,32E-03
3,53E-05
1,79E+02

kg Ethene-Equiv.
kg Sb-Equiv.
[MJ]

Table 10: Results of the LCA – Environmental impact for Allura 0.70 (one year)
Impact Category :Manufacturing
Installation
Use (1yr)
End of LifeCML 2001 – April 2015
Parameter
Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
C2
GWP
[kg CO2-Eq.]
9,69E+00
4,74E-01 7,06E-01
3,16E-01
7,49E-03 2,51E-02
ODP[kg CFC11-Eq.]
5,63E-08
7,51E-15 5,47E-10
2,06E-09
3,33E-14 6,84E-16
AP[kg SO2-Eq.]
1,75E-02
3,83E-03 1,34E-03
7,82E-04
2,13E-05 6,09E-05
EP[kg PO43-- Eq.]
3,60E-03
5,03E-04 2,00E-04
1,07E-04
1,99E-06 1,54E-05
POCP[kg Ethen Eq.]
2,71E-03-1,14E-04 1,29E-04
5,51E-05
1,33E-06 -2,11E-05
ADPE[kg Sb Eq.]
3,67E-05
1,85E-08 1,45E-07
1,58E-07
3,98E-09 2,06E-09
ADPF
[MJ]
2,07E+02
3,89E+00 1,35E+01 3,53E+00 7,98E-02 3,41E-01

Credits
C3
9,22E+00
8,20E-13
1,23E-02
4,25E-04
2,22E-04
4,15E-06
1,57E+01

D-2,29E+00-4,96E-12-3,84E-03-4,15E-04-3,01E-04-6,46E-07-3,15E+01

GWP = Global warming potential; ODP = Depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer; AP = Acidification potential of land and water; EP = Eutrophication potential; POCP
= Formation potential of tropospheric ozone photochemical oxidants; ADPE = Abiotic depletion potential for non-fossil resources; ADPF = Abiotic depletion potential for fossil
resources

Table 11: Results of the LCA – Environmental impact for Allura 0.55 (one year)
Impact Category :Manufacturing
Installation
Use (1yr)
End of LifeCML 2001 – April 2015
Parameter
Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
C2
GWP
[kg CO2-Eq.]
8,13E+00
4,15E-01 6,18E-01
3,16E-01
6,56E-03 2,20E-02
ODP[kg CFC11-Eq.]
4,83E-08
6,57E-15 4,79E-10
2,06E-09
2,92E-14 5,99E-16
AP[kg SO2-Eq.]
1,51E-02
3,35E-03 1,17E-03
7,82E-04
1,86E-05 5,33E-05
EP[kg PO43-- Eq.]
3,07E-03
4,40E-04 1,75E-04
1,07E-04
1,75E-06 1,35E-05
POCP[kg Ethen Eq.]
2,34E-03-1,00E-04 1,13E-04
5,51E-05
1,17E-06 -1,84E-05
ADPE[kg Sb Eq.]
3,19E-05
1,62E-08 1,27E-07
1,58E-07
3,49E-09 1,80E-09
ADPF
[MJ]
1,74E+02
3,40E+00 1,19E+01 3,53E+00 6,99E-02 2,98E-01

Credits
C3
8,07E+00
7,18E-13
1,07E-02
3,72E-04
1,95E-04
3,63E-06
1,38E+01

D-2,00E+00-4,35E-12-3,36E-03-3,64E-04-2,63E-04-5,65E-07-2,76E+01

GWP = Global warming potential; ODP = Depletion potential of the stratospheric ozone layer; AP = Acidification potential of land and water; EP = Eutrophication potential; POCP
= Formation potential of tropospheric ozone photochemical oxidants; ADPE = Abiotic depletion potential for non-fossil resources; ADPF = Abiotic depletion potential for fossil
resources

The relative contribution of each process stage to each impact category for Allura is shown in figure 3 and 4.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Figure 3 relative contribution of each process stage to each impact category for Allura 0.70 for a one year usage.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Figure 4 relative contribution of each process stage to each impact category for Allura 0.55 for a one year usage.

Interpretation
The interpretation of the results has been carried out considering the assumptions and limitations declared in the EPD,
both methodology- and data-related for a one year usage.
In all of the impact categories the production stage has the main contribution to the overall impact. The raw material
supply is the key contributor for all of these impact categories with a share of 79 – 98% of the total impact of the
production stage. Main contributors for the raw materials are the production of PVC and plasticizers.
Although Forbo declares in the EPD a worldwide distribution by truck (985 km) and container ship (2130 km) thetransport stage has a limited effect on most of the impacts. Only AP and EP have a significant share of 11-12% which
is mainly due to the ocean ship used for transporting the material overseas.
For AP, EP, GWP, POCP, and ADPF the adhesive as main contributor for the flooring installation has a minor impactof 4 – 6% of the total environmental impact of Allura.
In the Use stage ADPF, AP, EP, GWP, ODP and POCP have a share between 1.5 to 4% of the total impacts. This ismainly caused by the electricity needed to vacuum the floor and to a lower extent by the detergent used to clean thefloor. The cleaning regime used in the calculations is a worst case scenario which will be in practice almost always beLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

lower.
Energy recovery from incineration and the respective energy substitution at the end of life results in a small credit for
ADPF and POCP in the End of Life stage. For EP and ODP the End of Life stage has a very small impact on the total.
This is mainly due to the fact that the waste at the End of Life stage is considered as being incinerated.
For GWP, ADPE and AP the End of Life stage has got a big influence of respectively 39, 9 and 27% on the total
impacts of these impact categories. Also for these three categories this is caused by the incineration of the waste at
the End of Life stage.

Resource use
In table 12 and 13 the parameters describing resource use are presented for all the life cycle stages for a one year
usage.
Table 12 : Results of the LCA – Resource use for Allura 0.70 (one year)
Manufacturing
Installation
Use (1yr)
End of Life
Parameter Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
C2
C3
PERE
[MJ]
3,18E+01
PERM[MJ]
0,00E+00
PERT[MJ]
3,18E+01
1,49E-01 4,82E-01 1,58E+00 5,14E-02 1,89E-02
3,17E+00
PENRE[MJ]
1,89E+02
PENRM[MJ]
3,09E+01
PENRT[MJ]
2,19E+02
3,90E+00 1,38E+01 5,40E+00 1,37E-01 3,42E-01
1,75E+01SM[kg]
4,31E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00
RSF[MJ]
5,40E-07
1,42E-29 5,98E-21 3,48E-24 0,00E+00 1,85E-30
1,24E-20
NRSF[MJ]
6,84E-06
2,15E-28 7,03E-20 4,09E-23 2,03E-31 2,80E-29
1,46E-19FW[m3]
2,73E-02
2,75E-04 2,44E-03 2,38E-03 7,01E-05 3,47E-05
1,91E-02

Credits
D-7,70E+00-4,00E+01
0,00E+00
0,00E+00-3,03E-29-1,05E-02

PERE = Use of renewable primary energy excluding renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials; PERM = Use of renewable primary energy resources
used as raw materials; PERT = Total use of renewable primary energy resources; PENRE = Use of non-renewable primary energy excluding non-renewable primaryenergy resources used as raw materials; PENRM = Use of non-renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials; PENRT = Total use of non-renewableprimary energy resources; SM = Use of secondary material; RSF = Use of renewable secondary fuels; NRSF = Use of non-renewable secondary fuels; FW = Use of
net fresh water

Table 13 : Results of the LCA – Resource use for Allura 0.55 (one year)
Manufacturing
Installation
Use (1yr)
End of Life
Parameter Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
C2
C3
PERE
[MJ]
2,59E+01
PERM[MJ]
0,00E+00
PERT[MJ]
2,59E+01
1,30E-01 4,22E-01 1,58E+00 4,50E-02 1,65E-02
2,77E+00
PENRE[MJ]
1,54E+02
PENRM[MJ]
3,07E+01
PENRT[MJ]
1,85E+02
3,41E+00 1,21E+01 5,40E+00 1,20E-01 2,99E-01
1,53E+01SM[kg]
3,51E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00 0,00E+00
RSF[MJ]
4,44E-07
1,24E-29 5,24E-21 3,48E-24 0,00E+00 1,62E-30
1,09E-20
NRSF[MJ]
5,63E-06
1,89E-28 6,15E-20 4,09E-23 1,78E-31 2,45E-29
1,28E-19FW[m3]
2,35E-02
2,41E-04 2,14E-03 2,38E-03 6,14E-05 3,04E-05
1,67E-02

Credits
D-6,74E+00-3,50E+01
0,00E+00
0,00E+00-2,65E-29-9,19E-03

PERE = Use of renewable primary energy excluding renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials; PERM = Use of renewable primary energy resources
used as raw materials; PERT = Total use of renewable primary energy resources; PENRE = Use of non-renewable primary energy excluding non-renewable primaryenergy resources used as raw materials; PENRM = Use of non-renewable primary energy resources used as raw materials; PENRT = Total use of non-renewableprimary energy resources; SM = Use of secondary material; RSF = Use of renewable secondary fuels; NRSF = Use of non-renewable secondary fuels; FW = Use of
net fresh waterLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Waste categories and output flows
In table 14 and 15 other environmental information describing different waste categories and output flows arepresented for all the life cycle stages.
Table 14: Results of the LCA – Output flows and Waste categories for Allura 0.70 (one year)
Manufacturing Transport Installation Use (1yr)Parameter
Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
HWD
[kg]
1,56E-03
1,52E-07
4,18E-09
2,17E-09
6,42E-11
NHWD
2,80E-01
2,28E-04
4,81E-03
1,30E-02
9,64E-05
[kg]
RWD
[kg]
4,19E-03
5,12E-06
1,20E-04
7,17E-04
2,27E-05
CRU[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
MFR[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
MER[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
EE Power[MJ]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
2,45E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
EE Thermal
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
4,41E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
energy[MJ]

End of Life/credits
C2
C3
1,98E-08
1,11E-07
2,86E-05 5,72E+00
4,68E-07
6,87E-04
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 9,44E+00

D-1,63E-08-1,71E-02-3,38E-03
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00

0,00E+00

0,00E+00

1,72E+01

HWD = Hazardous waste disposed; NHWD = Non-hazardous waste disposed; RWD = Radioactive waste disposed; CRU = Components for re-use; MFR = Materials
for recycling; MER = Materials for energy recovery; EE = Exported energy per energy carrier

Table 15: Results of the LCA – Output flows and Waste categories for Allura 0.55 (one year)
Manufacturing Transport Installation Use (1yr)Parameter
Unit
A1-3
A4
A5
B2
C1
HWD
[kg]
1,37E-03
1,33E-07
3,66E-09
2,17E-09
5,62E-11
NHWD
2,12E-01
2,00E-04
4,21E-03
1,30E-02
8,44E-05
[kg]
RWD
[kg]
3,57E-03
4,48E-06
1,05E-04
7,17E-04
1,99E-05
CRU[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
MFR[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
MER[kg]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
EE Power[MJ]
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
2,15E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
EE Thermal
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
3,86E-01
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
energy[MJ]

End of Life/credits
C2
C3
1,73E-08
9,71E-08
2,51E-05 5,00E+00
4,10E-07
6,02E-04
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
0,00E+00 8,27E+00

D-1,43E-08-1,50E-02-2,96E-03
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
0,00E+00

0,00E+00

0,00E+00

1,51E+01

HWD = Hazardous waste disposed; NHWD = Non-hazardous waste disposed; RWD = Radioactive waste disposed; CRU = Components for re-use; MFR = Materials
for recycling; MER = Materials for energy recovery; EE = Exported energy per energy carrier

Additional Environmental Information
To be fully transparant Forbo Flooring does not only want to declare the environmental impacts required in the PCR,
but also the impacts on human health and eco-toxicity. Furthermore the outcome of the calculations according to theeuropean Standard EN15804 are published in this section.

Toxicity
For this calculations the USEtoxTM model is used as being the globally recommended preferred model forcharacterization modeling of human and eco-toxic impacts in LCIA by the United Nations Environment Programme
SETAC Life Cycle Initiative.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

According to the "ILCD Handbook: Recommendations for Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context" therecommended characterization models and associated characterization factors are classified according to their quality
into three levels:o Level I (recommended and satisfactory),olevel II (recommended but in need of some improvements)olevel III (recommended, but to be applied with caution).

A mixed classification sometimes is related to the application of the classified method to different types of substances.
USEtoxTM is classified as Level II / III, unlike for example the CML impact categories which are classified as Level I.
Table 16: Results of the LCA – Environmental impacts one lifecycle (one year) – Allura

Impact Category : USEtox
Eco toxicity
Human toxicity, cancer
Human toxicity, non-canc.

Allura 0.70
1,47E-02
3,30E-09
1,39E-09

Allura 0.55
1,25E-02
2,79E-09
1,19E-09

Unit
PAF m3.day
Cases
Cases

In the following tables the impacts are subdivided into the lifecycle stages.
Table 17: Results of the LCA – Environmental impact for Allura 0.70 (one year)

Impact Category : USEtox
Eco toxicity
Human toxicity, cancer
Human toxicity, non-canc.

Unit
PAF m3.day
cases
cases

Production
1,20E-02
3,38E-09
1,30E-09

Transport
9,07E-04
8,58E-13
3,71E-13

Installation
1,39E-03
2,46E-11
8,96E-11

Use (1yr)
4,43E-04
1,23E-11
7,13E-13

End of Life
-6,13E-05-1,11E-10-2,67E-12

Table 18: Results of the LCA – Environmental impact for Allura 0.55 (one year)

Impact Category : USEtox
Eco toxicity
Human toxicity, cancer
Human toxicity, non-canc.

Unit
PAF m3.day
cases
cases

Production
1,01E-02
2,86E-09
1,12E-09

Transport
7,94E-04
7,52E-13
3,25E-13

Installation
1,21E-03
2,15E-11
7,84E-11

Use (1yr)
4,43E-04
1,23E-11
7,13E-13

End of Life
-5,37E-05-9,74E-11-2,33E-12

Interpretation
The interpretation of the results has been carried out considering the assumptions and limitations declared in the EPD,
both methodology- and data-related for a one year usage.
In all the Toxicity categories the production stage is the main contributor to the total overall impact. The raw material
supply has a share of 80-96% of the production stage, mainly caused by the manufacturing of PVC.
The transport stage is negligible for Human toxicity (cancer) and Human toxicity (non-canc.). For Ecotoxicity it has arelatively minor impact of 6%, mainly caused by the use of diesel for the trucks.
The adhesive used for the installation of Allura is the dominant contributor for all toxicity categories, where especially
Ecotoxicity is having a significant share of almost 10% over the total impacts of the life cycles.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

The Use stage has a minor impact for all three impact categories. This is mainly due to the use of electricity anddetergent for the cleaning of the floor. The cleaning regime used in the calculations is a worst case scenario which will
be in practice almost always be lower.
Energy recovery from incineration and the respective energy substitution at the end of life results in a very small credit
for all three toxicity categories.

Interpretation main modules and flows
The interpretation of the main modules and flows contributing to the total impact in each category is presented infollowing figures and tables.
Figure 5: relative contribution of each process stage to each impact category for Allura 0.7 for a one year usage.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Table 19: Main modules and flows contributing to the total impact in each impact category for Allura 0.7 for a one year usage
ImpactCategoryStage

ModuleRaw Material
Extraction

Production

Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing

GWP

Transport

Transport Gate
to User

Installation

Installation

Use

Use

EOL

Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials

85% DOTP

Installation
Use

Use

100% Detergent

EOL

EOL

Production

Raw Material
Extraction

Transport

Installation

Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User
Installation

Use

Use

Transport

EOL

EP

98%

Production< 0.01%
2%

95%
<0.5%
5%

EOL
Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing90%< 0.5%
10%

Production : Inorganic emissions to air,Carbon dioxide

100% Thermal energy

Transport Gate
to User
Installation

ManufacturingAP

Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
81% Adhesive
19% Disposal of PVC
installation waste
72% Electricity
18% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration

EOL

Main contributing flows

DOTP (1.76 kg CO2-eq.)
PVC (4.39 kg CO2-eq.)
Dolomite (0.50 kg CO2-eq.)

Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
100% Paper and cardboard
packaging
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
100% Adhesive

Production

ODP

Main contributor
7.70 kg
CO2equiv.
0.02 kg
CO2equiv.
2.03 kg
CO2equiv.

Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
43% PVC
19% DOTP
6% TiO2Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
76% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
94% Adhesive
83% Electricity
12% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
40% Fat acid ester
31% PVC
10% DOTP
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
40% Thermal energy

Transport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to air, Carbon dioxide
Use : Inorganic emissions to air, Carbon
dioxideEOL : Inorganic emissions to air, Carbon
dioxideProduction : Halogenated organic emissions
to air, R11 (trichlorofluoromethane),
R114 (Dichlorotetrafluorethane), R12(Dichlorodifluoromethane)
Transport & Installation : Halogenatedorganic emissions to air, R114
(Dichlorotetrafluorethane)
Use : Halogenated organic emissions to air,
R11 (trichlorofluoromethane),
R114 (Dichlorotetrafluorethane), R12(Dichlorodifluoromethane)
EOL: Halogenated organic emissions to air,
R22 (chlorodifluoromethane)
Production : Inorganic emissions to air, NOx
and Sulphur dioxide
Production : Inorganic emissions to fresh
water, Hydrogen chloride
Transport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to air, NOx and Sulphur dioxide
Use : Inorganic emissions to air, NOx and
Sulphur dioxide
EOL : Inorganic emissions to air, Hydrogenchloride, NOx and Sulphur dioxide

Production : Inorganic emissions to air,Ammonia, NOx
Production : Inorganic emissions to fresh
water, Nitrate, NitrogenLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

ImpactCategoryStage

ModuleAccording to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Main contributor

Transport

Transport Gate
to User

43% Waste water treatment
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Installation

Installation

91% Adhesive

Use

Use

EOL

Production

Transport

EOL
Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User93%1%
6%57% Electricity
16% Detergent
27% Waste water treatment
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
57% PVC
17% DOTP
19% Benzoates
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
92% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

POCP
Installation

Installation

Use

Use

EOL

Production

Transport
ADPe

97% Adhesive

EOL
Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User

98%<0,01%
2%

74% electricity
22% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
47% PVC
22% BaZn stabilizer
24% Glass fiber
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
84% Electricity
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Installation

Installation

99% Adhesive

Use

Use

76% Electricity
19% Detergent

EOL

EOL

Production

Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User

ADPf
Transport
Installation
Use

83%
<0.2%
17%

Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
58% PVC
26% DOTP
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
98% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Main contributing flows
Transport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to air, NOx
Transport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to fresh water, Ammonium /ammonia
Use : Inorganic emissions to air, NOx
Use : Inorganic emissions to fresh water,
Ammonium / ammonia, Nitrate
EOL : Inorganic emissions to air, NOx andAmmonia
Production : Inorganic emissions to air,Carbon monoxide, NOx , Sulphur dioxide
Production : Halogenated organic emissions
to air, Butane (n-butane), NMVOC(Unspecified), Propane, MethaneTransport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to air, Carbon monoxide, NOx,
Sulphur dioxide
Transport & Installation : Halogenatedorganic emissions to air, NMVOC(Unspecified),
Use : Inorganic emissions to air, Sulphur
dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide
EOL : Inorganic emissions to air, Carbon
monoxide , NOx, Sulphur dioxide
EOL : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), NMVOC (Unspecified)
Production : Nonrenewable resources,
Colemanite ore, Sodium chloride (Rock salt)
Production : Nonrenewable elements, Lead,
CopperTransport & Installation : Nonrenewable
resources, Sodium chloride (rock salt)
Transport & Installation : Nonrenewableelements, Lead, Silver, Copper
Use : Nonrenewable resources, Sodium
chloride (Rock salt)
Use : Nonrenewable elements, Copper
EOL : Nonrenewable resources, Magnesium
chloride leach (40%)
Production : Crude oil resource, Crude oil (inMJ)
Production : Natural gas (resource), Naturalgas (in MJ)

Installation

99% Adhesive

Transport & Installation : Crude oil(resource)
Transport & Installation : Natural gas(resource),Use

69% electricity

Use : Hard coal (resource), Natural gas

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

ImpactCategoryStage

ModuleTransport Gate
to User
Installation

99% Adhesive

Use

Use

10% Detergent
88% Electricity

EOL

EOL

Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration

Production

Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User

Production

EOL
Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing

Transport

Humantoxicity, cancer

Installation

Transport
Installation

Use

EOL

EOL
Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing

Transport
Installation
Use
EOL

89%
1%
10%

87%
< 0.1%
13%

Installation

Use

Production

Humantoxicity, non
canc.

Main contributor
30% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
82% PVC
10% DOTP
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
46% Thermal energy
52% Paper and cardboard
packaging
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

EOL

Eco toxicity

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

95% PVC
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
100% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
99% adhesive
84% Electricity
15% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration

99%97% PVC< 0.01%Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

1%

96% Thermal energy

Main contributing flows(resource), Hard coal (resource)
EOL : Hard coal (resource), Natural gas(resource), Lignite (resource), Crude oil(resource)
Production : Hydrocarbons to fresh water,
Phenol (hydroxy benzene), Anthracene,
Benzene, Toluene (Methyl benzene)
Production : Pesticides to fresh water,
Alachlor
Transport & installation : Hydrocarbons tofresh water, Phenol (hydroxy benzene),
Anthracene, Benzene, Toluene (Methyl
benzene), Methanol
Transport & installation : Pesticides to fresh
water, Alachlor
Use : Hydrocarbons to fresh water, Phenol(hydroxy benzene), Anthracene, Benzene,
Toluene (Methyl benzene)
Use : Pesticides to fresh water, Alachlor
EOL : Hydrocarbons to fresh water, Phenol(hydroxy benzene), Anthracene, Benzene,
Toluene (Methyl benzene)
EOL : Pesticides to fresh water, Alachlor
Production : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), Vinyl chloride (VCM; chloroethene),
Formaldehyde (Methanal)
Transport & Installation : Organic emissions
to air (Group VOC), Formaldehyde(Methanal)
Use : Organic emissions to air (Group VOC),
Formaldehyde (Methanal)
EOL : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), Formaldehyde (Methanal)
Production : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), Vinyl chloride (VCM; chloroethene),
Formaldehyde (Methanal)
Production : Halogenated organic emissions
to fresh water, Vinyl chloride (VCM;
chloroethene)

Transport Gate
to User

Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Installation

100% adhesive

Use

76% electricity
24% detergent

Use : Organic emissions to air (Group VOC),
Formaldehyde (Methanal), Xylene (dimethyl
benzene)

EOL

Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration

EOL : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), Formaldehyde (Methanal)

Transport & Installation : Organic emissions
to air (Group VOC), Formaldehyde(Methanal), Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Figure 6 relative contribution of each process stage to each impact category for Allura 0.55 for a one year usage.

Table 20 Main modules and flows contributing to the total impact in each impact category for Allura 0.55 for a one year usage
ImpactCategoryStage

ModuleRaw Material
Extraction

Production

Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing

GWP

Transport

Transport Gate
to User

Installation

Installation

Use

Use

EOL

ODP

Production

Main contributor
6.66 kg
CO2equiv.
0.02 kg
CO2equiv.
1.50 kg
CO2equiv.

Raw Material
Extraction

DOTP (1.50 kg CO2-eq.)
PVC (3.69 kg CO2-eq.)
Dolomite (0.53 kg CO2-eq.)
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

98%

Production : Inorganic emissions to air,Carbon dioxide

100% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
81% Adhesive
19% Disposal of PVC
installation waste
72% Electricity
18% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration

EOL

Main contributing flows

85% DOTP

Transport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to air, Carbon dioxide
Use : Inorganic emissions to air, Carbon
dioxideEOL : Inorganic emissions to air, Carbon
dioxideProduction : Halogenated organic emissions
to air, R11 (trichlorofluoromethane),Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

ImpactCategoryStage

Main contributor

Installation

Transport Gate
to User
Installation

Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
100% Paper and cardboard
packaging
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
100% Adhesive

Use

Use

100% Detergent

EOL

EOL

Production

Raw Material
Extraction

Transport

AP

ModuleAccording to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Transport ofRaw materials< 0.01%

Manufacturing

2%

Transport

Transport Gate
to User

Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
41% PVC
19% DOTP
7% TiO2Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
76% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
94% Adhesive
83% Electricity
12% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
39% Fat acid ester
31% PVC
10% DOTP
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
35% Thermal energy
48% Waste water treatment
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Installation

Installation

91% Adhesive

Use

Use

Installation

Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User
Installation

Use

Use

Transport

EOL

Production

95%
<0.5%
5%

EOL

Raw Material
Extraction

89%

Transport ofRaw materials< 0.5%

Manufacturing

10%

EP

EOL

Production
POCP
Transport
Installation

EOL

Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User
Installation

94%
1%
5%

57% Electricity
16% Detergent
27% Waste water treatment
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
55% PVC
17% DOTP
20% Benzoates
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
91% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
97% Adhesive

Main contributing flows
R114 (Dichlorotetrafluorethane), R12(Dichlorodifluoromethane)

Transport & Installation : Halogenatedorganic emissions to air, R114
(Dichlorotetrafluorethane)
Use : Halogenated organic emissions to air,
R11 (trichlorofluoromethane),
R114 (Dichlorotetrafluorethane), R12(Dichlorodifluoromethane)
EOL: Halogenated organic emissions to air,
R22 (chlorodifluoromethane)
Production : Inorganic emissions to air, NOx
and Sulphur dioxide
Production : Inorganic emissions to fresh
water, Hydrogen chloride
Transport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to air, NOx and Sulphur dioxide
Use : Inorganic emissions to air, NOx and
Sulphur dioxide
EOL : Inorganic emissions to air, Hydrogenchloride, NOx and Sulphur dioxide

Production : Inorganic emissions to air,Ammonia, NOx
Production : Inorganic emissions to fresh
water, Nitrate, Nitrogen
Transport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to air, NOx
Transport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to fresh water, Ammonium /ammonia
Use : Inorganic emissions to air, NOx
Use : Inorganic emissions to fresh water,
Ammonium / ammonia, Nitrate
EOL : Inorganic emissions to air, NOx andAmmonia
Production : Inorganic emissions to air,Carbon monoxide, NOx , Sulphur dioxide
Production : Halogenated organic emissions
to air, Butane (n-butane), NMVOC(Unspecified), Propane, MethaneTransport & Installation : Inorganic
emissions to air, Carbon monoxide, NOx,
Sulphur dioxide
Transport & Installation : HalogenatedLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

ImpactCategory

Stage

Use
EOL

Production

Transport
ADPe

Use
EOL
Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User

98%<0,01%
2%

74% electricity
22% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
45% PVC
21% BaZn stabilizer
27% Glass fiber
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
83% Electricity
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Installation

99% Adhesive

Use

Use

76% Electricity
19% Detergent

EOL

EOL

Production

Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User

Installation

84%
<0.2%
16%

Installation

Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
56% PVC
26% DOTP
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
97% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
99% Adhesive

Transport Gate
to User

69% electricity
30% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration
81% PVC
10% DOTP
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
40% Thermal energy
58% Paper and cardboard
packaging
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Installation

99% Adhesive

Use

Use

10% Detergent
88% Electricity

EOL

EOL

Incineration and land filling of

Use
EOL

Production

Use
EOL
Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing

Eco toxicity

Main contributor

Installation

Transport
ADPf

ModuleAccording to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Transport
Installation

89%
1%
10%

Main contributing flowsorganic emissions to air, NMVOC(Unspecified),
Use : Inorganic emissions to air, Sulphur
dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide
EOL : Inorganic emissions to air, Carbon
monoxide , NOx, Sulphur dioxide
EOL : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), NMVOC (Unspecified)
Production : Nonrenewable resources,
Colemanite ore, Sodium chloride (Rock salt)
Production : Nonrenewable elements, Lead,
CopperTransport & Installation : Nonrenewable
resources, Sodium chloride (rock salt)
Transport & Installation : Nonrenewableelements, Lead, Silver, Copper
Use : Nonrenewable resources, Sodium
chloride (Rock salt)
Use : Nonrenewable elements, Copper
EOL : Nonrenewable resources, Magnesium
chloride leach (40%)
Production : Crude oil resource, Crude oil (inMJ)
Production : Natural gas (resource), Naturalgas (in MJ)
Transport & Installation : Crude oil(resource)
Transport & Installation : Natural gas(resource),
Use : Hard coal (resource), Natural gas(resource), Hard coal (resource)
EOL : Hard coal (resource), Natural gas(resource), Lignite (resource), Crude oil(resource)
Production : Hydrocarbons to fresh water,
Phenol (hydroxy benzene), Anthracene,
Benzene, Toluene (Methyl benzene)
Production : Pesticides to fresh water,
Alachlor
Transport & installation : Hydrocarbons tofresh water, Phenol (hydroxy benzene),
Anthracene, Benzene, Toluene (Methyl
benzene), Methanol
Transport & installation : Pesticides to fresh
water, Alachlor
Use : Hydrocarbons to fresh water, Phenol(hydroxy benzene), Anthracene, Benzene,
Toluene (Methyl benzene)
Use : Pesticides to fresh water, Alachlor
EOL : Hydrocarbons to fresh water, Phenol

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

ImpactCategoryStage

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

ModuleMain contributor
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration

Production

Humantoxicity, cancer

Transport
Installation

Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing
Transport Gate
to User

Use

EOL

EOL
Raw Material
Extraction
Transport ofRaw materials
Manufacturing

Humantoxicity, noncanc.

Transport
Installation
Use
EOL< 0.1%
12%

Installation

Use

Production

88%

95% PVC
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
100% Thermal energy
Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels
99% adhesive
84% Electricity
15% Detergent
Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration

100%

97% PVC< 0.01%Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels< 0.5%

96% Thermal energy

Main contributing flows(hydroxy benzene), Anthracene, Benzene,
Toluene (Methyl benzene)
EOL : Pesticides to fresh water, Alachlor
Production : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), Vinyl chloride (VCM; chloroethene),
Formaldehyde (Methanal)
Transport & Installation : Organic emissions
to air (Group VOC), Formaldehyde(Methanal)
Use : Organic emissions to air (Group VOC),
Formaldehyde (Methanal)
EOL : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), Formaldehyde (Methanal)
Production : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), Vinyl chloride (VCM; chloroethene),
Formaldehyde (Methanal)
Production : Halogenated organic emissions
to fresh water, Vinyl chloride (VCM;
chloroethene)

Transport Gate
to User

Means of transport (truck,
container ship) and their fuels

Installation

100% adhesive

Use

76% electricity
24% detergent

Use : Organic emissions to air (Group VOC),
Formaldehyde (Methanal), Xylene (dimethyl
benzene)

EOL

Incineration and land filling of
post-consumer Allura
Energy substitution fromincineration

EOL : Organic emissions to air (Group
VOC), Formaldehyde (Methanal)

Transport & Installation : Organic emissions
to air (Group VOC), Formaldehyde(Methanal), Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)

Description of Selected Impact Categories
Abiotic Depletion Potential
The abiotic depletion potential covers all natural resources such as metal containing ores, crude oil and mineral raw
materials. Abiotic resources include all raw materials from non-living resources that are non-renewable. This impact
category describes the reduction of the global amount of non-renewable raw materials. Non-renewable means a timeframe of at least 500 years. This impact category covers an evaluation of the availability of natural elements in general,
as well as the availability of fossil energy carriers.
ADP (elements) describes the quantity of non-energetic resources directly withdrawn from the geosphere. It reflects
the scarcity of the materials in the geosphere and is expressed in Antimony equivalents. The characterization factors
are published by the CML, Oers 2010.
Are fossil energy carriers included in the impact category, it is ADP (fossil). Fossil fuels are used similarly to theprimary energy consumption; the unit is therefore also MJ. In contrast to the primary fossil energy ADP fossil does notcontain uranium, because this does not count as a fossil fuel.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Primary energy consumption
Primary energy demand is often difficult to determine due to the various types of energy source. Primary energy
demand is the quantity of energy directly withdrawn from the hydrosphere, atmosphere or geosphere or energy source
without any anthropogenic change. For fossil fuels and uranium, this would be the amount of resource withdrawn
expressed in its energy equivalent (i.e. the energy content of the raw material). For renewable resources, the energycharacterized amount of biomass consumed would be described. For hydropower, it would be based on the amount ofenergy that is gained from the change in the potential energy of water (i.e. from the height difference). As aggregatedvalues, the following primary energies are designated:
The total “Primary energy consumption non-renewable”, given in MJ, essentially characterizes the gain from theenergy sources natural gas, crude oil, lignite, coal and uranium. Natural gas and crude oil will both be used for energy
production and as material constituents e.g. in plastics. Coal will primarily be used for energy production. Uranium will
only be used for electricity production in nuclear power stations.
The total “Primary energy consumption renewable”, given in MJ, is generally accounted separately and comprises
hydropower, wind power, solar energy and biomass. It is important that the end energy (e.g. 1 kWh of electricity) andthe primary energy used are not miscalculated with each other; otherwise the efficiency for production or supply of theend energy will not be accounted for. The energy content of the manufactured products will be considered as
feedstock energy content. It will be characterized by the net calorific value of the product. It represents the still usableenergy content.
Waste categories
There are various different qualities of waste. For example, waste can be classed according to German and European
waste directives. The modeling principles have changed with the last GaBi4 database update in October 2006. Now all
LCA data sets (electricity generation, raw material etc.) already contain the treatment of the waste with very low waste
output at the end of the stage. So the amount of waste is predominantly caused by foreground processes during the
production phase. This is important for the interpretation of waste amounts.
From a balancing point of view, it makes sense to divide waste into three categories. The categories
overburden/tailings, industrial waste for municipal disposal and hazardous waste will be used.
Overburden / tailings in kg: This category consists of the layer which must be removed in order to access raw
material extraction, ash and other raw material extraction conditional materials for disposal. Also included in thiscategory are tailings such as inert rock, slag, red mud etc.
Industrial waste for municipal disposal in kg: This term contains the aggregated values of industrial waste formunicipal waste according to 3. AbfVwV TA SiedlABf.
Hazardous waste in kg: This category includes materials that will be treated in a hazardous waste incinerator or
hazardous waste landfill, such as painting sludge’s, galvanic sludge’s, filter dusts or other solid or liquid hazardous
waste and radioactive waste from the operation of nuclear power plants and fuel rod production.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

The mechanism of the greenhouse effect can be observed on a small scale, as the name suggests, in a greenhouse.
These effects are also occurring on a global scale. The occurring short-wave radiation from the sun comes into contact
with the earth’s surface and is partly absorbed (leading to direct warming) and partly reflected as infrared radiation.
The reflected part is absorbed by so-called greenhouse gases in the troposphere and is re-radiated in all directions,
including back to earth. This results in a warming effect on the earth’s surface.
In addition to the natural mechanism, the greenhouse effect is enhanced by human activities. Greenhouse gases thatare considered to be caused, or increased, anthropogenically are, for example, carbon dioxide, methane and CFCs.
Figure A1 shows the main processes of the anthropogenic greenhouse effect. An analysis of the greenhouse effectshould consider the possible long term global effects.

Absorption
Reflection
UV - radiation
T

Infraredradiation

ra

ce

re
sphe
tmo

CH4

a
he
nt

Figure A1:

i
es

CFCs
CO2

s
ga

The global warming potential is calculated incarbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-Eq.). Thismeans that the greenhouse potential of anemission is given in relation to CO2. Since theresidence time of the gases in the atmosphere isincorporated into the calculation, a time range
for the assessment must also be specified. A
period of 100 years is customary.

Greenhouse effect (KREISSIG 1999)

Acidification Potential (AP)The acidification of soils and waters predominantly occurs through the transformation of air pollutants into acids. This
leads to a decrease in the pH-value of rainwater and fog from 5.6 to 4 and below. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide
and their respective acids (H2SO4 and HNO3) produce relevant contributions. This damages ecosystems, whereby
forest dieback is the most well-known impact.
Acidification has direct and indirect damaging effects (such as nutrients being elutriated from soils or an increased
solubility of metals into soils). But even buildings and building materials can be damaged. Examples include metals
and natural stones which are corroded or disintegrated at an increased rate.
When analyzing acidification, it should be considered that although it is a global problem, the regional effects ofacidification can vary. Figure A2 displays the primary impact pathways of acidification.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

The acidification potential is given in sulphur
dioxide equivalents (SO2-Eq.). The acidification
potential is described as the ability of certain
substances to build and release H+ - ions. Certain
emissions can also be considered to have an
acidification potential, if the given S-, N- andhalogen atoms are set in proportion to themolecular mass of the emission. The reference
substance is sulphur dioxide.

NOX
SO2
H2SO44
HNO3

Figure A2: Acidification Potential (KREISSIG 1999)

Eutrophication Potential (EP)
Eutrophication is the enrichment of nutrients in a certain place. Eutrophication can be aquatic or terrestrial. Air
pollutants, waste water and fertilization in agriculture all contribute to eutrophication.
The result in water is an accelerated algae growth, which in turn, prevents sunlight from reaching the lower depths.
This leads to a decrease in photosynthesis and less oxygen production. In addition, oxygen is needed for thedecomposition of dead algae. Both effects cause a decreased oxygen concentration in the water, which can eventuallylead to fish dying and to anaerobic decomposition (decomposition without the presence of oxygen). Hydrogen sulphideand methane are thereby produced. This can lead, among others, to the destruction of the eco-system.
On eutrophicated soils, an increased susceptibility of plants to diseases and pests is often observed, as is adegradation of plant stability. If the nutrification level exceeds the amounts of nitrogen necessary for a maximum
harvest, it can lead to an enrichment of nitrate. This can cause, by means of leaching, increased nitrate content ingroundwater. Nitrate also ends up in drinking water.
Nitrate at low levels is harmless from a toxicologicalpoint of view. However, nitrite, a reaction product ofnitrate, is toxic to humans. The causes of
eutrophication are displayed in Figure A3. The
eutrophication potential is calculated in phosphate
equivalents (PO4-Eq). As with acidification potential,
it’s important to remember that the effects ofeutrophication potential differ regionally.

Air pollution
NOX

N2O
NH3

Fertilisation

NO3 -Waste water
Figure A3:

PO4

-3

Eutrophication Potential (KREISSIG 1999)

NH4+

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP)
Despite playing a protective role in the stratosphere, at ground-level ozone is classified as a damaging trace gas.
Photochemical ozone production in the troposphere, also known as summer smog, is suspected to damage vegetationand material. High concentrations of ozone are toxic to humans.
Radiation from the sun and the presence of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons incur complex chemical reactions,producing aggressive reaction products, one of which is ozone. Nitrogen oxides alone do not cause high ozone
concentration levels. Hydrocarbon emissions occur from incomplete combustion, in conjunction with petrol (storage,
turnover, refueling etc.) or from solvents. High concentrations of ozone arise when the temperature is high, humidity islow, when air is relatively static and when there are high concentrations of hydrocarbons. Today it is assumed that theexistence of NO and CO reduces the accumulated ozone to NO 2, CO2 and O2. This means, that high concentrations ofozone do not often occur near hydrocarbon emission sources. Higher ozone concentrations more commonly arise inareas of clean air, such as forests, where there is less NO and CO (Figure A4).

In Life Cycle Assessments, photochemical ozone
creation potential (POCP) is referred to in
ethylene-equivalents (C2H4-Äq.). When
analyzing, it’s important to remember that theactual ozone concentration is strongly influenced
by the weather and by the characteristics of thelocal conditions.

Hydrocarbons
Nitrogen oxides

Ozone

Dry and warm
climateHydrocarbons

Nitrogen oxides

Figure A4:

Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
Ozone is created in the stratosphere by the disassociation of oxygen atoms that are exposed to short-wave UV-light.
This leads to the formation of the so-called ozone layer in the stratosphere (15 - 50 km high). About 10 % of this ozone
reaches the troposphere through mixing processes. In spite of its minimal concentration, the ozone layer is essential
for life on earth. Ozone absorbs the short-wave UV-radiation and releases it in longer wavelengths. As a result, only asmall part of the UV-radiation reaches the earth.
Anthropogenic emissions deplete ozone. This is well-known from reports on the hole in the ozone layer. The hole iscurrently confined to the region above Antarctica, however another ozone depletion can be identified, albeit not to thesame extent, over the mid-latitudes (e.g. Europe). The substances which have a depleting effect on the ozone canessentially be divided into two groups; the fluorine-chlorine-hydrocarbons (CFCs) and the nitrogen oxides (NOX).
Figure A5 depicts the procedure of ozone depletion.
One effect of ozone depletion is the warming of the earth's surface. The sensitivity of humans, animals and plants to
UV-B and UV-A radiation is of particular importance. Possible effects are changes in growth or a decrease in harvest
crops (disruption of photosynthesis), indications of tumors (skin cancer and eye diseases) and decrease of sea
plankton, which would strongly affect the food chain. In calculating the ozone depletion potential, the anthropogenicallyreleased halogenated hydrocarbons, which can destroy many ozone molecules, are recorded first. The so-calledLuxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) results from the calculation of the potential of different ozone relevant substances.

This is done by calculating, first of all, a scenario fora fixed quantity of emissions of a CFC reference(CFC 11). This results in an equilibrium state of totalozone reduction. The same scenario is considered
for each substance under study whereby CFC 11 is
replaced by the quantity of the substance. This
leads to the ozone depletion potential for each
respective substance, which is given in CFC 11
equivalents. An evaluation of the ozone depletion
potential should take the long term, global andpartly irreversible effects into consideration.

UV - radiation

Stratosphere15 - 50 km

Absorption

Absorption

CFCs
Nitrogen oxide

Figure A5:

Ozone Depletion Potential (KREISSIG 1999)

Luxury Vinyl Tile – Allura 0.7 & 0.55
Resilient Heterogeneous Vinyl Floor Covering

According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804

References
GABI 6 2012
GABI 6 2012DUL ENVIRONMENT
PE 2012ILCD Handbook: General
guide for Life Cycle
Assessment - Detailed
guidance
STANDARDS AND LAWSDIN EN ISO 14044
ISO 14025 2006
ISO 14040 2006
CEN/TR 15941
EN 16810
EN 15804
CPR

EN-ISO 10874
EN-ISO 10582

PE INTERNATIONAL AG; GaBi 6: Software-System and Database for Life Cycle
Engineering. Copyright, TM. Stuttgart, Echterdingen, 1992-2017.
GaBi 6: Documentation of GaBi 6: Software-System and Database for Life Cycle
Engineering. Copyright, TM. Stuttgart, Echterdingen, 1992-2017. http://documentation.gabisoftware.com/
UL Environment’s Program Operator Rules
Description of Selected Impact Categories, PE International AG, 2012
European Commission-Joint Research Centre - Institute for Environment and Sustainability:
International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook- Recommendations forLife Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context. First edition November 2011. EUR
24571 EN. Luxemburg. Publications Office of the European Union; 2011
Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Requirements and guidelines (ISO14044:2006); German and English version EN ISO 14044
DIN EN ISO 14025: Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental
declarations — Principles and procedures
Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework (ISO14040); German and English version EN ISO 14040
Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product declarations - Methodology forselection and use of generic data; German version CEN/TR 15941
Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings - Environmental product declarations - Productcategory rules
EN 15804: Sustainability of construction works — Environmental Product Declarations —Core rules for the product category of construction products
REGULATION (EU) No 305/2011 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE
COUNCIL of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonized conditions for the marketing of
construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC
Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings – Classification
Resilient floor coverings – Heterogeneous poly(vinyl chloride) floor coverings - Specification