We hosted a webinar together with Wavin–a global leader in innovative water management, heating, and infrastructure systems. Wavin operates in 25 European countries and has global networks worldwide: in Asia, Australia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America.
Here’s what we learned from this insightful conversation with Jan van Rompay, Director Global Sustainability at Wavin, and Ieke Bak, EPD & LCA Expert at Ecochain.
6 takeaways from the webinar
1. Things don’t have to be perfect. Start small: you’ll learn, adapt, and get valuable insights as you go.
Wavin’s EPD journey began with a single tender request in 2019. They didn’t have all the answers, but they acted early.
Today, they’ve scaled up to thousands of verified product footprints across Europe and beyond. So start early and figure it out in the process.
2. EPDs are more than just compliance; it can win business.
Wavin is strategic about their use of EPDs. In regions without strict regulation (like Latin America), Wavin uses EPDs to boost credibility and win green building projects.
“There’s so much sensitivity around greenwashing. Data from EPDs lets us make real, credible claims,” says Jan van Rompay, Director Global Sustainability at Wavin.
3. Empower your sales team with concise material that helps them explain complex topics easily.
Commercial teams at Wavin use a one-pager that helps them confidently explain environmental data during client meetings. If you want to convert prospects into customers, make the conversation about sustainability practical and actionable.
4. Make EPDs part of your product development process.
Wavin no longer does one-off EPD projects. They’re now a default part of their product development.
“We didn’t want to react to every new request. We chose to be proactive, standardizing EPDs across our portfolio.”
Considering environmental data from the start helps Wavin avoid delays, comply with regulations, and achieve long-term goals.
5. Build strategic partnerships
Wavin has been collaborating with Ecochain for a long time.
Together, we don’t just deliver reports—we share our learnings, train teams, and scale across regions. Find great people to work with and improve together.
“It helps tremendously that Ecochain knows our production processes and materials. Without that context, mistakes happen.”
6. Focus on the bigger picture and don’t get bogged down by details
Clarity comes from doing. Define your product scope, pick a starting point, and learn as you go. Starting early is what gets you ahead.
“Don’t let the complexity stop you. Start. Pick your first products. Learn. And always remember—this is about transforming to a low-carbon economy.”
Jan van Rompay also urged companies to think beyond compliance:
“EPDs aren’t just paperwork. They’re insights you can use to make better decisions, improve products, and build trust.”
