Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) as part of the environmental strategy

Vallox is a Finnish manufacturer of ventilation units and ventilation solutions with more than 50 years of experience. Its product range also includes cooker hoods, roof fans and other ventilation accessories. The company employs approximately 140 people and is known for its compliant, high‑quality and responsibility‑driven operating practices.

Cooperation between Comatec and Vallox began in 2023 with the development of the environmental strategy and sustainability communications, as well as the first life cycle assessments and environmental product declarations. Alongside this cooperation, Comatec has also supported Vallox in identifying hazardous substances in accordance with the REACH Regulation and in registering products in the SCIP database.

Starting point and goals:

• Vallox aims to operate openly, transparently and in compliance with requirements also from the perspective of environmental sustainability.
• Tightening regulations in the construction sector requires verified environmental impact data for products to succeed in the market.
• The objective was to carry out life cycle assessments for products and to produce third‑party‑verified environmental product declarations (EPD) based on these assessments for Vallox’s products.
• The detailed product‑specific data generated through life cycle assessments is needed in implementing the environmental strategy and planning emission reductions.

Results and benefits:

• Vallox now has access to independent and verified information on the life cycle impacts of its products, supporting both product development and customer communications.
• Our long‑term cooperation has helped Vallox strengthen its operational model in which environmental responsibility is addressed systematically.
• Together, 40 product configurations have been subjected to life cycle assessment, and third‑party‑verified environmental product declarations have been published for these in The International EPD System.
• Comprehensive product reviews and continuity have enabled the development of environmental responsibility at product level in a more reliable manner than before.

From the very beginning, our aim has been long‑term cooperation, and we have achieved that. Advancing new initiatives has become significantly easier for us with an expert partner alongside us. At the same time, we have been able to develop our own competence. The cooperation has been smooth and straightforward from the start, and we can trust that matters are handled in good mutual understanding and on schedule. – Quality and Development Manager Sari Ponkala, Vallox Oy