Environmental Product Declaration
North American Industry Average EPD for ½" Lightweight Gypsum Board
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for North American Industry Average EPD for ½" Lightweight Gypsum Board, manufactured by Gypsum Association. Declaration SmartEPD-2026-140-0932-01, prepared according to Smart EPD® Part B PCR for Gypsum Panels, 1000-004, v2.0, valid until June 23, 2031.
- Functional unit
- 1,000 ft2 of product (92.9 m2)
- Valid until
- June 23, 2031
- PCR
- Part B PCR for Gypsum Panels 1000-004
Declaration details
- Manufacturer
- Gypsum Association
- Program operator
- Smart EPD
- Declaration number
- SmartEPD-2026-140-0932-01
- Date of issue
- June 23, 2026
- Valid until
- June 23, 2031
- Product category rules (PCR)
- Smart EPD® Part B PCR for Gypsum Panels, 1000-004, v2.0 (version 2)
- Standard
- ISO 14025:2006 and ISO 21930:2017
- Functional unit
- 1,000 ft2 of product (92.9 m2)
- System boundary
- Cradle to grave (A1 - A3, A4, A5, B1 - B7, C1 - C4)
- Product specificity
- Product Average
- Manufacturing specificity
- Industry Average
- Product category
- Sheathing › GypsumSheathingBoard
- Product service life
- 75 years
- Verifier
- Sevda Alanya Rosenbaum
- LCA software
- SimaPro 10.2
- Program instructions
- Smart EPD General Program Instructions v.2.0, March 2025
Life cycle assessment results
Results per 1,000 ft2 of product (92.9 m2).
Environmental Impact Assessment Results
| Indicator | Unit | A1 | A2 | A3 | A1-A3 | A4 | A5 | B1 | B2 | B3 | B4 | B5 | B6 | B7 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GWP-total | kg CO2 eq | -1.92e+1 | 3.26e+1 | 1.40e+2 | 1.53e+2 | 3.45e+1 | 4.67e+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.02e+0 | 0 | 7.41e+1 |
| GWP-fossil | kg CO2 eq | 4.99e+1 | 3.26e+1 | 1.40e+2 | 2.23e+2 | 3.45e+1 | 4.69e+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.02e+0 | 0 | 1.60e+0 |
| GWP-biogenic | kg CO2 eq | -6.93e+1 | 3.11e-4 | 2.72e-3 | -6.93e+1 | 0 | -2.80e-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.25e+1 |
| GWP-luluc | kg CO2 eq | 2.30e-1 | 2.81e-4 | 5.70e-3 | 2.36e-1 | 0 | 4.79e-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.84e-5 |
| AP | kg SO2 eq | 1.20e-1 | 3.60e-1 | 1.10e-1 | 5.90e-1 | 2.80e-1 | 1.50e-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.68e-2 | 0 | 1.35e-2 |
| EP-freshwater | kg P eq | 5.58e-3 | 3.51e-5 | 2.81e-3 | 8.43e-3 | 2.67e-6 | 3.51e-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.23e-7 | 0 | 7.86e-6 |
| EP-marine | kg N eq | 3.06e-2 | 7.64e-2 | 2.23e-2 | 1.29e-1 | 8.18e-2 | 3.47e-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.36e-2 | 0 | 3.65e-3 |
| POCP | kg O3 eq | 1.87e+0 | 9.11e+0 | 2.55e+0 | 1.35e+1 | 9.81e+0 | 3.36e+0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.64e+0 | 0 | 4.40e-1 |
| ODP | kg CFC 11 eq | 5.81e-7 | 1.71e-7 | 9.35e-7 | 1.69e-6 | 6.57e-8 | 2.43e-7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.54e-8 | 0 | 2.60e-8 |
| ADP-minerals&metals | kg Sb eq | 2.71e-4 | 1.32e-7 | 9.92e-6 | 2.81e-4 | 1.06e-7 | 3.48e-5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.41e-8 | 0 | 5.59e-8 |
| ADP-fossil | MJ | 6.98e+2 | 1.07e+2 | 2.12e+3 | 2.93e+3 | 1.02e+1 | 6.14e+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.32e+0 | 0 | 2.09e+1 |
Resource Use Indicators
| Indicator | Unit | A1 | A2 | A3 | A1-A3 | A4 | A5 | B1 | B2 | B3 | B4 | B5 | B6 | B7 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERE | MJ, net calorific value | 1.18e+2 | 1.90e-1 | 2.55e+1 | 1.44e+2 | 2.22e-3 | 1.16e+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.04e-4 | 0 | 5.00e-1 |
| PERM | MJ, net calorific value | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| PERT | MJ, net calorific value | 1.18e+2 | 1.90e-1 | 2.55e+1 | 1.44e+2 | 2.22e-3 | 1.16e+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.04e-4 | 0 | 5.00e-1 |
| PENRE | MJ, net calorific value | 8.46e+2 | 1.07e+2 | 2.16e+3 | 3.11e+3 | 1.02e+1 | 6.77e+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.32e+0 | 0 | 2.14e+1 |
| PENRM | MJ, net calorific value | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| PENRT | MJ, net calorific value | 8.46e+2 | 1.07e+2 | 2.16e+3 | 3.11e+3 | 1.02e+1 | 6.77e+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.32e+0 | 0 | 2.14e+1 |
| SM | kg | 3.36e+2 | 0 | 0 | 3.36e+2 | 0 | 3.36e+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RSF | MJ, net calorific value | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| NRSF | MJ, net calorific value | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| RE | MJ | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| FW | m3 | 1.04e+0 | 0 | 4.50e-1 | 1.49e+0 | 0 | 1.50e-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Waste and Output Flow Indicators
| Indicator | Unit | A1 | A2 | A3 | A1-A3 | A4 | A5 | B1 | B2 | B3 | B4 | B5 | B6 | B7 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HWD | kg | 1.55e+0 | 5.70e-3 | 1.70e-1 | 1.73e+0 | 0 | 1.13e+0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.18e-3 |
| NHWD | kg | 2.40e+1 | 6.63e-2 | 1.55e+1 | 3.96e+1 | 0 | 8.46e+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.11e+2 |
| HLRW | kg | 1.48e-4 | 1.32e-6 | 7.87e-5 | 2.28e-4 | 0 | 5.23e-5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.21e-7 |
| ILLRW | kg | 5.21e-4 | 2.81e-6 | 2.69e-4 | 7.93e-4 | 0 | 4.54e-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.19e-6 |
| CRU | kg | ND | ND | ND | 0 | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| MFR | kg | 0 | 0 | 3.99e-2 | 3.99e-2 | 0 | 3.99e-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MER | kg | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| EE | MJ | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND |
Carbon Emissions and Removals
| Indicator | Unit | A1 | A2 | A3 | A1-A3 | A4 | A5 | B1 | B2 | B3 | B4 | B5 | B6 | B7 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCRP | kg CO2 | 7.10e+1 | 0 | 0 | 7.10e+1 | 0 | 8.59e+0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BCEP | kg CO2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.10e+0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.25e+1 |
| BCRK | kg CO2 | 0 | 0 | 5.00e-1 | 5.00e-1 | 0 | 4.95e-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BCEK | kg CO2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.40e-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
ND = not declared. Life cycle modules: A1-A3 product stage, A4-A5 construction process, B use stage, C end of life, D benefits and loads beyond the system boundary.
Material composition
| Material/Component Category | Mass |
|---|---|
| Natural gypsum ore | 228.18 kg |
| FGD synthetic gypsum | 288.12 kg |
| Post-consumer gypsum | 3.02 kg |
| Facing paper | 21.34 kg |
| Backing paper | 16.63 kg |
| Starch | 4.04 kg |
| Fiberglass | 0.25 kg |
| Potash | 0.087 kg |
| Dextrose | 0.65 kg |
| Dispersant | 1.37 kg |
| Other Chemicals (retarders, foaming agents, etc.) | 0.61 kg |
| Ball mill accelerator, BMA | 4.07 kg |
| Edge Paste | 0.24 kg |
| Sodium Trimetaphosphate | 0.34 kg |
| Emulsion (fluidizer) | 0.73 kg |
| Siloxane | 0.25 kg |
| Water | 400.23 kg |
| Wet weight | 952.68 kg |
| Final weight, with moisture content | 626 kg |
| Final moisture content | 2.50 % |
| Final weight, with 0% moisture content | 611 kg |
| Percent Gypsum Core | 94% |
| Percent Facing & Backing Paper | 6% |
| Packaging material | Mass (kg) |
|---|---|
| Plastics | 0.12 |
| Metals | 1.34E-4 |
| Paper and Cardboard | 0.30 |
| Scrap Gypsum used as Dunnage | 10.4 |
| Biogenic carbon content | kg C per 1000 ft2 |
|---|---|
| Biogenic carbon content in product | 19.37 |
| Biogenic carbon content in accompanying packaging | 0.135 |
Hazardous substances
No regulated hazardous or dangerous substances are included in this product.
Scenarios
Transport to the building site (A4)
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Vehicle type
- Tractor-trailer truck
- Transport distance
- 448 km
- Weight of products transported
- 611 kg
Transport to the building site (A4)
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Vehicle type
- Rail
- Transport distance
- 208 km
- Weight of products transported
- 611 kg
- Packaging mass
- 10.8 kg
Transport to the building site (A4)
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Vehicle type
- Single unit truck
- Transport distance
- 40 km
- Weight of products transported
- 611 kg
- Packaging mass
- 10.8 kg
End of life (C1-C4)
- Collected with mixed construction waste
- 611 kg
- Landfill
- 611 kg
- Product or material for final disposal
- 611 kg
Product description
Gypsum board (UN CPC Code 314, UNSPSC 30161509), is manufactured to ASTM C1396 (1) and is designed to be used as an interior panel capable of supporting an array of finishes and demonstrating various performance characteristics. Gypsum board is the generic name for a family of sheet products consisting of a non-combustible core primarily made of gypsum with paper facing (9). Gypsum board is ubiquitous in its use and is also known as wallboard, drywall, plaster board, and gypsum panel. ½” Lightweight gypsum board is most used in residential applications. As calculated, the weighted average density of ½” Lightweight gypsum board with 0% moisture content (MC) is 6.6 kg/m2, with a minimum and maximum density value of 5.5 and 7.2 kg/m2, respectively. The substrates consist of a noncombustible gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of paper. Typically, gypsum boards are manufactured as four-foot by eight-foot panels (4'×8') with a beveled edge, and the product is compatible with most interior wall and ceiling applications. Gypsum board may be available in other lengths and can vary in thickness and fire rating properties depending on additive types. It should be noted that this EPD for ½” Lightweight gypsum board does not cover ½” Mold and Moisture Resistant (MMR) or conventional weight board.
Interpretation
It should be noted that LCIA results are relative expressions and do not predict impacts on category endpoints, the exceeding of thresholds, safety margins or risks (4), (5).
Module A3 Manufacturing, and Module A1, Extraction and Upstream Production typically contribute the largest share of the LCIA and energy indicator results. Module A5, Installation also contributes significantly to the overall environmental impact across all major impact categories. Module A2, Transportation, and Module A4, Transportation to Construction Site are significant contributors to the global warming, acidification, marine eutrophication, and smog formation potential environmental indicators. Over 96% of the total primary energy is derived from non-renewable primary energy resources. On-site energy use at the plant (natural gas and purchased electricity) and the facing and backing paper input are the major contributing sources to total primary energy use.
The use of FGD synthetic gypsum and post-consumer paper is environmentally beneficial for the gypsum board industry as it reduces the dependency on primary material resources (natural gypsum ore and virgin paper stock).
LCIA results are relative expressions and do not predict impacts on category endpoints, the exceeding of thresholds, safety margins or risks. EPDs are comparable only when they follow the same PCR, functional unit and system boundary. The full EPD (PDF) contains the methodology, scenario assumptions and verification statement.