Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a voluntary certification that Franchi Umberto Marmi has implemented for its Bettogli marble slabs, providing for the “Environmental Product Declaration”(EPD),a true ecolabel for marble.
This study has shown that the production of marble slabs causes modest environmental impacts on air and water, given the almost total absence of chemical substances in the production process, compared for example to ceramic and similar products. The supply chain itself also has low CO2 impacts, considering the short distances for the supply of the raw material “marble” from the processing plants.
The life cycle of marble slabs includes modest environmental impacts with regards to air and water, given the almost total absence of chemical substances in the production process.
Specifically, the Bettogli marble supply chain also has low impacts in terms of climate-changing emissions (CO2) and the consumption of fossil fuels, strongly influenced by the short distances for the supply of the raw material “marble” from the processing plants.
Finally, the modern management of the quarry, oriented towards the constant research for environmentally best-performing technical solutions, and the implementation of a supply chain for the use of flakes produced by the processing of marble, also reduce the potential consumption of elementary raw materials.
The published EPD is a verified and registered type 3 environmental declaration, which provides transparent and comparable information on the environmental impact of products throughout their entire life cycle. Thanks to this, Bettogli marble slabs by Franchi Umberto Marmi are recognized worldwide for environmental certification and for the rating of building by the main programs: LEED (USA), BREEAM (UK, NL, ES, DE, etc.), ENERGY STAR (USA), GREEN STAR (AUS, NZL), HQE (FR). It is also recognized at European level for its GPP (Green Public Procurement) or “Green Purchasing” policies.
In 2020, FUM achieved the EPD, or “Bettogli Marble slabs of thickness 2 and 3 cm Environmental Product Declaration”, the certification with the relative publication of an Environmental Product Declaration registered with The International EPD® System.
The study was developed according to the ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 14025 standards and the requirements of the UNI EN 15804 standard, and takes into account all the processes related to the functioning of the product, from the extraction of raw materials to the production, use and maintenance of the product, up to its reuse.
Climate change has been universally identified as one of the major challenges that nations, governments, economic systems and citizens will have to face in the coming decades: it has significant implications for both natural and human systems, and can lead to significant impacts on resource use, production processes and economic activities.
The main greenhouse gases resulting from anthropogenic activities, as indicated in the Kyoto Protocol, are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and other anthropogenic gases. The most significant GHG is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Reporting a comprehensive GHG inventory is the tool that can improve the company’s knowledge about its emissions; this tool is becoming a relevant managerial aspect for stakeholder relations and for constructively addressing environmental policies and requirements aimed at reducing GHG emissions.
Developing a rigorous inventory of so-called “greenhouse gases” was therefore the fundamental pre-requisite for establishing the targets for the subsequent monitoring and reporting phases, and Franchi Umberto Marmi also accepted this challenge, publishing its first Carbon Footprint in September 2024.
The goal is that of Carbon Zero (or Carbon Neutral Product), on which FUM is building its future project.
In December 2022, the Marble Manifesto was published and promoted by the Apuan companies of the sector grouped in the Carrara Marble Way consortium, with Franchi Umberto Marmi in the front line, marking a milestones of a story that is still ongoing…
“Essere Marmo” represents a new pact of confidence with Carrara and its Community, and draw up the Sustainability and Circular Economy targets of the Apuan stone industry.
Why Marble: It Tells, Builds, Respects, Recovers, Innovates, Works, Participates, Connects, Recalls, Imagines.
The ecological and technological transition that we are experiencing can and must represent a challenge for really sustainable and “human-scale” growth, on an economic and social level, and with respect for the environment.
Carrara marble, with its extraordinary evocative power, which arises from its beauty and its superb materiality, has always created value for the city, proving capable of carrying out concrete actions that have deep roots in tradition and that can contribute to the construction of the only possible future: one that speaks of reducing environmental impact, containing energy costs, qualifying work, creating value for the territory, innovation and research, short supply chain, creativity and reduction of waste of material through the recovery of waste according to the principles of the circular economy.
A future capable of renewing its identity and vocation as a testimonial in the world of Made in Italy.
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