Supporting Decarbonization Reporting for General Contractors with Data: 'KB Joint' Cracking Inducing Joint Obtains EPD Environmental Certification

Nihon Kasetsu K.K. (Headquarters: Sapporo, Representative Director: Ayumu Kikuhara) has obtained the international Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its "KB Joint" cracking-inducing joint material, quantifying the environmental impact of the product throughout its entire life cycle.

This provides highly reliable and objective evidence for general contractors, who are facing an urgent need to comply with the institutionalization of Building Life Cycle Carbon (LCCO2) assessment and evaluation. Through this initiative, the company presents a practical solution for realizing carbon neutrality in the construction industry while reducing administrative burdens.

Currently, the construction industry faces an urgent requirement to accurately grasp and report the amount of CO2 emitted during construction, driven by the progress in institutionalizing LCCO2 assessment (targeted for FY2028 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) and the expansion of green procurement. However, calculating the environmental impact of the wide variety of materials used on-site individually has imposed a heavy administrative burden on general contractors.

The company aimed to simplify the quantification of "invisible CO2" at construction sites by visualizing the environmental impact of the "KB Joint" through the EPD.

● Simplified CO2 emission reporting By using the EPD-certified KB Joint (certified for both J-type and AR-type), CO2 emissions per product become clear. General contractors can utilize the provided data directly in reports, significantly reducing the effort required for calculation and preparation of evidentiary materials.

● Credibility through objective international standards EPD data, verified by a third-party organization, serves as fair and objective proof of environmental impact. This directly contributes to higher ratings in public works and environmentally conscious construction projects.

● Harmonizing NETIS-registered reliability with environmental performance In addition to the traditional high constructability, the data-backed environmental performance ensures compatibility with next-generation construction standards.

Moving forward, the company will expand the EPD certification scope to the entire KB Joint series and develop a digital data provision system. Through the supply of building materials, the company will continue to support the construction industry's Green Transformation (GX) toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society by 2050.