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ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCAST
Ready-mix producers are being asked for EPDs more often, especially on data center and large infrastructure projects.
But what are EPDs?
Who is asking for them?
And why should a small producer care?
In this episode, Seth talks with Leise Sandeman, co-founder of Pathways, about Environmental Product Declarations, life cycle assessments, carbon reporting, and how these requirements are starting to affect concrete bids.
Leise explains EPDs in plain language: what data goes into them, how cement, aggregate, admixtures, water, fuel, electricity, and transportation all get measured, and why producers should not assume this is only a “green building” paperwork exercise.
The big point?
EPDs are becoming part of how some owners, GCs, and hyperscale data center companies compare concrete producers.
And for smaller ready-mix companies, the risk is not just the carbon number.
It is being left out of the bid entirely because they do not have the documentation ready.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• What is an EPD?
• Why are data center owners asking concrete producers for EPDs?
• How does a life cycle assessment connect to a concrete mix?
• What data does a ready-mix producer need to create an EPD?
• Why can two plants from the same producer have different EPD numbers?
• How much of a concrete EPD is driven by cement?
• Are owners comparing concrete producers against each other?
• Why might simply having an EPD help a producer win work in some markets?
• How could EPDs affect smaller 2-to-10-plant ready-mix operations?
• Why does Leise think EPDs are becoming more about business than climate messaging?CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro and Concrete Logic Podcast support
03:15 - Who Leise Sandeman is and what Pathways does
03:52 - What is an EPD?
04:35 - Who is asking for EPDs?
05:54 - Where EPDs came from and how LCAs fit in
06:48 - Comparing concrete to other materials and other producers
07:36 - How cement and material supplier data affect EPDs
08:33 - Why EPDs involve a lot of math and manual work
09:07 - Generic EPDs vs producer-specific EPDs
10:09 - The three major data inputs for a concrete EPD
11:24 - Why utility and grid data matter
12:07 - What owners and hyperscalers compare
13:48 - How far the life cycle assessment goes
15:28 - How cement EPDs are built
16:12 - Does the EPD stop at placement?
17:16 - End-of-life questions and future standards
18:42 - Concrete’s carbon footprint vs material volume
20:29 - Why supplier choices can change the EPD number
21:21 - Why smaller producers need a simpler path
23:42 - Where EPD requirements may be heading
24:04 - Why EPD publishing is expected to grow
25:21 - Future inputs, fuels, SCMs, and supplier options
26:34 - How to contact Leise and Pathways
GUEST INFO
Leise Sandeman
Guest Profile:
https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/leise-sandeman/
CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMY
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Or someone who does not know what diesel smells like next to that first chute of concrete in the predawn darkness?
That is why Concrete Logic Academy exists.
It is built by people who understand the field, the plant, the jobsite, and the real problems concrete professionals deal with every day.
The courses are practical, direct, and built for people who want to apply what they learn right away.
Inside the Academy, you get access to PDH courses, quizzes, resources, live Q&A, early access to podcast episodes, and a place to ask concrete questions without throwing them out into the LinkedIn circus.
For a limited time, get free access to the Concrete Logic Academy here:
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SUPPORT THE PODCAST
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If the show gives you something useful, send some value back.
Donate here:
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Check out KUIU through the Concrete Logic link:
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Email: seth@concretelogicpodcast.com
CREDITS
Host: Seth Tandett
Producers: Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media
Music: Mike Dunton
https://www.mdunton.com/
WHERE TO FIND SETH
Concrete Logic Podcast Website:
https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/
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