Knowledge leads to improvement. Through the international LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) study of natural stone random slabs, the PNA (Pietra Naturale Autentica) network of companies, with the contribution of the Politecnico di Torino, has measured the average environmental impact of every stage involved in the production of a 2 cm thick random slab with a surface area of 1 m2. The life cycle analysis made it possible to quantify, for each random slab produced by companies in the network, the resulting CO2 emissions and therefore the contribution to the climate crisis from its production and distribution.

This allows us to identify the percentage contribution to climate impact from each individual input material and from every phase of the process. The impact of transport on the overall footprint of each of the 20 types of random slab examined in the study was also calculated, as well as the impact contribution from the percentage of electricity and diesel fuel used. Interpreting all the data resulting from the LCA allows us to assess the actual impact of each phase in the natural stone processing cycle, and to reduce it—through targeted actions—improving both the production processes of PNA member companies and the environmental performance of the supply chain.

Focus interview:
Giulia Pezzin, Laura Morvidoni, and Isabella Bianco – Politecnico di Torino

“LCA is a reliable method to quantify the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle.”

Can LCA be considered the most effective method for determining the environmental impacts of a product’s production process? How was the PNA’s LCA study planned in terms of input and output data? What do the average values tell us??

“LCA is a reliable method for quantifying the environmental impact of a product over its life cycle and complies with international standards (ISO 14040–44) and European guidelines. The LCA study commissioned by PNA was planned by collecting data directly from companies within the supply chain, analyzing 20 materials, and considering the production stages from raw material extraction to surface finishing of a random slab (cradle-to-gate). The average impact values show significant variability due to factors such as the origin and type of materials, energy consumption, and transport methods.”