Environmental Product Declaration

Microflex® Pre-Insulated Piping

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Microflex® Pre-Insulated Piping, manufactured by Watts. Declaration SmartEPD-2026-134-0878-01, prepared according to IBU Part B: Requirements on the EPD for Preinsulated Pipes for District Heating and Cooling, valid until May 29, 2031.

Download the EPD (PDF)

Declared unit: 1 rm of product pre-insulated pipe including brass couplings
Valid until: May 29, 2031
PCR: Preinsulated Pipes for District Heating and Cooling

Declaration details

Manufacturer: Watts
Program operator: Smart EPD
Declaration number: SmartEPD-2026-134-0878-01
Date of issue: May 29, 2026
Valid until: May 29, 2031
Product category rules (PCR): IBU Part B: Requirements on the EPD for Preinsulated Pipes for District Heating and Cooling (version 12)
Standard: EN15804:2012+A2:2019 Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product declarations - Core rules for the product category of construction products
Declared unit: 1 rm of product pre-insulated pipe including brass couplings
System boundary: Cradle to grave (A1 - A3, A4, A5, B1 - B7, C1 - C4, D)
Manufacturing specificity: Facility Specific
Manufacturing plant: Gardolo (Via Vienna, 3, Località Produttiva I, Autonomous Province of Trento, Italy)
Product category: UtilityPiping › BuildingHeatingPiping
Product SKU: MD16040C: Microflex DUO heating pipe with a 160 mm outer housing diameter and two 40 mm PE-Xa pipes with an oxygen diffusion barrier. This product was selected as the representative unit as it is the top-selling variant. EPD results are reported for 1 rm (running meter) of MD16040C. Other products…
Verifier: Mari Kirss
LCA software: SimaPro 10.2
Program instructions: Smart EPD General Program Instructions v.2.0, March 2025

Life cycle assessment results

Results per 1 rm of product pre-insulated pipe including brass couplings.

Environmental Impact Assessment Results

Main Scenario - Incineration at End of Life
Indicator	Unit	A1	A2	A3	A1-A3	A4	A5	C2	C3	C4	D
GWP-total	kg CO2 eq	8.49e+0	1.61e-1	1.43e+0	1.01e+1	9.31e-1	2.16e-2	4.21e-2	8.16e+0	8.47e-5	-6.48e+0
GWP-fossil	kg CO2 eq	8.50e+0	1.61e-1	1.33e+0	9.99e+0	9.30e-1	2.16e-2	4.21e-2	8.16e+0	8.46e-5	-6.43e+0
GWP-biogenic	kg CO2 eq	-1.88e-2	6.78e-5	9.76e-2	7.89e-2	5.55e-4	1.37e-6	2.48e-5	3.06e-4	5.30e-8	-4.61e-2
GWP-luluc	kg CO2 eq	7.04e-3	6.00e-5	1.74e-4	7.27e-3	3.31e-4	2.21e-7	1.43e-5	3.36e-5	3.85e-8	-4.22e-3
ODP	kg CFC 11 eq	3.31e-7	3.03e-9	1.00e-7	4.34e-7	1.86e-8	1.21e-11	8.46e-10	1.40e-9	1.95e-12	-2.55e-7
AP	mol H+ eq	8.69e-2	1.29e-3	1.38e-3	8.96e-2	4.25e-3	4.97e-6	1.89e-4	1.13e-3	5.15e-7	-1.73e-2
EP-freshwater	kg P eq	6.71e-3	1.03e-5	5.89e-5	6.78e-3	6.41e-5	6.06e-8	2.89e-6	1.78e-5	8.76e-9	-1.73e-3
EP-marine	kg N eq	9.44e-3	4.10e-4	7.74e-4	1.06e-2	1.68e-3	7.85e-6	7.43e-5	5.17e-4	1.99e-7	-2.90e-3
EP-terrestrial	mol N eq	9.51e-2	4.51e-3	4.82e-3	1.04e-1	1.83e-2	2.36e-5	8.10e-4	5.46e-3	2.17e-6	-2.99e-2
POCP	kg NMVOC eq	5.56e-2	1.45e-3	2.98e-3	6.00e-2	6.51e-3	7.05e-6	2.91e-4	1.36e-3	7.48e-7	-1.43e-2
ADP-minerals&metals	kg Sb eq	9.00e-4	4.49e-7	1.19e-6	9.02e-4	2.85e-6	1.67e-9	1.30e-7	7.92e-7	2.08e-10	-1.06e-4
ADP-fossil	MJ	2.34e+2	2.25e+0	1.86e+1	2.55e+2	1.33e+1	8.98e-3	6.02e-1	9.59e-1	1.57e-3	-1.11e+2
WDP	m3 world eq deprived	4.32e+0	1.25e-2	4.01e+0	8.34e+0	7.86e-2	-1.17e-3	3.55e-3	8.77e-2	5.26e-5	-1.23e+0
PM	disease incidence	3.53e-7	1.40e-8	1.11e-8	3.78e-7	8.89e-8	6.08e-11	4.08e-9	6.07e-9	1.38e-11	-6.11e-8
IRP	kBq U235 eq	9.74e-1	2.66e-3	1.66e-2	9.93e-1	1.77e-2	1.07e-5	7.97e-4	2.47e-3	1.59e-6	-8.20e-1
ETP-fw	CTUe	1.79e+2	5.61e-1	3.36e+0	1.83e+2	3.45e+0	9.74e-3	1.57e-1	2.79e+0	4.77e-4	-1.87e+1
HTP-c	CTUh	4.54e-8	1.01e-9	2.45e-9	4.89e-8	6.28e-9	5.57e-12	2.84e-10	1.18e-9	1.02e-12	-1.19e-8
HTP-nc	CTUh	7.07e-7	1.48e-9	3.86e-9	7.12e-7	9.37e-9	4.53e-11	4.30e-10	1.22e-8	6.11e-13	-9.47e-8
SQP	-	5.13e+1	1.50e+0	7.19e-1	5.35e+1	9.91e+0	9.03e-3	4.50e-1	3.62e-1	2.24e-3	-8.42e+0

Alternate Scenario - Landfilling at End of Life
Indicator	Unit	A1	A2	A3	A1-A3	A4	A5	C2	C3	C4	D
GWP-total	kg CO2 eq	8.49e+0	1.61e-1	1.43e+0	1.01e+1	9.31e-1	2.16e-2	4.21e-2	2.40e-2	3.15e-1	-1.36e-1
GWP-fossil	kg CO2 eq	8.50e+0	1.61e-1	1.33e+0	9.99e+0	9.30e-1	2.16e-2	4.21e-2	2.39e-2	3.15e-1	-1.36e-1
GWP-biogenic	kg CO2 eq	-1.88e-2	6.78e-5	9.76e-2	7.89e-2	5.55e-4	1.37e-6	2.48e-5	1.29e-4	2.42e-4	-7.67e-5
GWP-luluc	kg CO2 eq	7.04e-3	6.00e-5	1.74e-4	7.27e-3	3.31e-4	2.21e-7	1.43e-5	1.15e-5	1.69e-5	-2.13e-4
ODP	kg CFC 11 eq	3.31e-7	3.03e-9	1.00e-7	4.34e-7	1.86e-8	1.21e-11	8.46e-10	2.22e-10	7.62e-10	-1.92e-8
AP	mol H+ eq	8.69e-2	1.29e-3	1.38e-3	8.96e-2	4.25e-3	4.97e-6	1.89e-4	8.38e-5	2.10e-4	-7.44e-3
EP-freshwater	kp P eq	6.71e-3	1.03e-5	5.89e-5	6.78e-3	6.41e-5	6.06e-8	2.89e-6	6.41e-6	3.15e-6	-5.92e-4
EP-marine	kg N eq	9.44e-3	4.10e-4	7.74e-4	1.06e-2	1.68e-3	7.85e-6	7.43e-5	1.03e-5	6.97e-4	-4.04e-4
EP-terrestrial	mol N eq	9.51e-2	4.51e-3	4.82e-3	1.04e-1	1.83e-2	2.36e-5	8.10e-4	1.16e-4	8.56e-4	-5.49e-3
POCP	kg NMVOC eq	5.56e-2	1.45e-3	2.98e-3	6.00e-2	6.51e-3	7.05e-6	2.91e-4	3.93e-5	3.72e-4	-1.60e-3
ADP-minerals&metals	kg Sb eq	9.00e-4	4.49e-7	1.19e-6	9.02e-4	2.85e-6	1.67e-9	1.30e-7	6.17e-7	6.46e-8	-1.02e-4
ADP-fossil	MJ	2.34e+2	2.25e+0	1.86e+1	2.55e+2	1.33e+1	8.98e-3	6.02e-1	1.52e-1	6.56e-1	-1.99e+0
WDP	m3 world eq deprived	4.32e+0	1.25e-2	4.01e+0	8.34e+0	7.86e-2	-1.17e-3	3.55e-3	4.14e-3	-4.18e-1	-1.33e-1
PM	disease incidence	3.53e-7	1.40e-8	1.11e-8	3.78e-7	8.89e-8	6.08e-11	4.08e-9	1.44e-9	4.75e-9	-1.79e-8
IRP	kBq U235 eq	9.74e-1	2.66e-3	1.66e-2	9.93e-1	1.77e-2	1.07e-5	7.97e-4	1.50e-3	6.62e-4	-1.45e-2
ETP-fw	CTUe	1.79e+2	5.61e-1	3.36e+0	1.83e+2	3.45e+0	9.74e-3	1.57e-1	1.29e-1	1.72e+0	-1.08e+1
HTP-c	CTUh	4.54e-8	1.01e-9	2.45e-9	4.89e-8	6.28e-9	5.57e-12	2.84e-10	1.30e-10	1.73e-10	-1.42e-9
HTP-nc	CTUh	7.07e-7	1.48e-9	3.86e-9	7.12e-7	9.37e-9	4.53e-11	4.30e-10	5.45e-10	3.03e-9	-7.77e-8
SQP	-	5.13e+1	1.50e+0	7.19e-1	5.35e+1	9.91e+0	9.03e-3	4.50e-1	1.46e-1	1.53e+0	-2.46e+0

Resource Use Indicators

Main Scenario - Incineration at End of Life
Indicator	Unit	A1	A2	A3	A1-A3	A4	A5	C2	C3	C4	D
PERE	MJ, net calorific value	1.32e+1	3.55e-2	1.21e+1	2.53e+1	2.31e-1	1.61e-4	1.04e-2	4.49e-2	2.46e-5	-7.21e+0
PERM	MJ, net calorific value	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PERT	MJ, net calorific value	1.32e+1	3.55e-2	1.21e+1	2.53e+1	2.31e-1	1.61e-4	1.04e-2	4.49e-2	2.46e-5	-7.21e+0
PENRE	MJ, net calorific value	1.20e+2	2.25e+0	1.95e+1	1.42e+2	1.33e+1	6.05e-1	6.02e-1	1.13e+2	1.57e-3	-1.11e+2
PENRM	MJ, net calorific value	1.14e+2	0	-8.75e-1	1.13e+2	0	-8.37e-1	0	-1.12e+2	0	0
PENRT	MJ, net calorific value	2.34e+2	2.25e+0	1.86e+1	2.55e+2	1.33e+1	-2.32e-1	6.02e-1	9.59e-1	1.57e-3	-1.11e+2
SM	kg	9.76e-2	0	0	9.76e-2	0	0	0	0	0	2.46e-2
RSF	MJ, net calorific value	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
NRSF	MJ, net calorific value	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FW	m3	1.05e-1	3.06e-4	9.38e-2	1.99e-1	1.93e-3	-2.71e-5	8.73e-5	2.06e-3	1.24e-6	-3.10e-2

Alternate Scenario - Landfilling at End of Life
Indicator	Unit	A1	A2	A3	A1-A3	A4	A5	C2	C3	C4	D
PERE	MJ, net calorific value	1.32e+1	3.55e-2	1.21e+1	2.53e+1	2.31e-1	1.61e-4	1.04e-2	2.43e-2	9.84e-3	-3.65e-1
PERM	MJ, net calorific value	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PERT	MJ, net calorific value	1.32e+1	3.55e-2	1.21e+1	2.53e+1	2.31e-1	1.61e-4	1.04e-2	2.43e-2	9.84e-3	-3.65e-1
PENRE	MJ, net calorific value	1.20e+2	2.25e+0	1.95e+1	1.42e+2	1.33e+1	6.05e-1	6.02e-1	1.52e-1	1.13e+2	-1.99e+0
PENRM	MJ, net calorific value	1.14e+2	0	-8.75e-1	1.13e+2	0	-8.37e-1	0	0	-1.12e+2	0
PENRT	MJ, net calorific value	2.34e+2	2.25e+0	1.86e+1	2.55e+2	1.33e+1	-2.32e-1	6.02e-1	1.52e-1	6.56e-1	-1.99e+0
SM	kg	9.76e-2	0	0	9.76e-2	0	0	0	0	0	2.46e-2
RSF	MJ, net calorific value	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
NRSF	MJ, net calorific value	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FW	m3	1.05e-1	3.06e-4	9.38e-2	1.99e-1	1.93e-3	-2.71e-5	8.73e-5	1.02e-4	-9.72e-3	-3.26e-3

Waste and Output Flow Indicators

Main Scenario - Incineration at End of Life
Indicator	Unit	A1	A2	A3	A1-A3	A4	A5	C2	C3	C4	D
HWD	kg	6.18e-1	3.28e-3	2.04e-2	6.42e-1	1.93e-2	1.75e-4	8.70e-4	7.37e-2	3.87e-6	-1.34e-1
NHWD	kg	8.13e+1	6.57e-2	6.31e+0	8.77e+1	4.07e-1	4.99e-2	1.84e-2	2.86e+0	7.76e-3	-8.05e+0
RWD	kg	2.50e-4	6.61e-7	4.17e-6	2.55e-4	4.40e-6	2.66e-9	1.98e-7	6.28e-7	3.93e-10	-2.10e-4
CRU	kg	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
MFR	kg	0	0	0	0	0	6.30e-3	0	1.16e-1	0	0
MER	kg	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
EEE	MJ	0	0	0	0	0	3.20e-2	0	1.31e+1	0	0
EET	MJ	0	0	0	0	0	6.21e-2	0	2.53e+1	0	0

Alternate Scenario - Landfilling at End of Life
Indicator	Unit	A1	A2	A3	A1-A3	A4	A5	C2	C3	C4	D
HWD	kg	6.18e-1	3.28e-3	2.04e-2	6.42e-1	1.93e-2	1.75e-4	8.70e-4	2.37e-3	1.16e-3	-3.57e-2
NHWD	kg	8.13e+1	6.57e-2	6.31e+0	8.77e+1	4.07e-1	4.99e-2	1.84e-2	6.41e-2	1.31e+1	-2.29e+0
RWD	kg	2.50e-4	6.61e-7	4.17e-6	2.55e-4	4.40e-6	2.66e-9	1.98e-7	3.83e-7	1.62e-7	-3.76e-6
CRU	kg	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
MFR	kg	0	0	0	0	0	6.30e-3	0	1.16e-1	0	0
MER	kg	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
EEE	MJ	0	0	0	0	0	3.20e-2	0	0	0	0
EET	MJ	0	0	0	0	0	6.21e-2	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

Product composition
Material/Component Category	Origin	% Mass
PE-Xa Pipe		0 - 60 %
HDPE Pipe		20 - 90 %
PE-Xa Insulation		5 - 25 %
Tape		< 1 %
Brass Couplings		1 - 10 %

Packaging
Packaging material	Origin	Mass (kg)
LDPE Film		0.008
LDPE Caps and Plugs		0.009
PET Straps		0.005

Hazardous substances

No regulated hazardous or dangerous substances are included in this product.

Scenarios

Transport to the building site (A4)

Vehicle type: Lorry, Barge
Transport distance: 1580 km
Capacity utilization: 35%
Packaging mass: 0.022 kg

End of life (C1-C4)

Collected with mixed construction waste: 2.752 kg
Recycling: 0.116 kg
Landfill: 0.003 kg
Incineration: 0.003 kg
Incineration with energy recovery: 2.63 kg

Benefits and loads beyond the system boundary (D)

Recycling rate of product: 4.2%
Recycled content of product: 3.5%
Net energy benefit from energy recovery in C3, declared as exported energy: 38.4 MJ

Product description

Watts Microflex® is a pre-insulated flexible pipe system for underground installation and the transport of fluids in cooling and heating systems (-10/+95°C) and domestic water. Ideal for residential systems and large district heating systems, Microflex® is suitable for hot and cold fluids, drinking water and other fluids for industrial systems. Supplied in 100 m coils or made to measure, thanks to its light weight, flexibility and ease of installation, it allows you to overcome obstacles without joints, reducing excavation time and costs.

Microflex’s pre-insulated piping system is composed of a thermal insulation around a carrier pipe and covered by a “closed chamber“ protective UV-resistant outer casing. Brass couplings are used to connect the carrier pipe to the rest of the plumbing network.

Watts sells Microflex® products covering a large range of sizes and applications. The carrier pipe for sanitary, HVAC and drinking water products are respectively made from cross-linked polyethylene (known as PE-Xa), from PE-Xa with an Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) membrane which acts as an oxygen diffusion barrier, or from PE100 polyethylene. Watts also offers a special Microflex® HP which includes corrugated PE conduit for hooking up power and network cables in heat pump applications.

Interpretation

The majority of life cycle impacts arise from raw material supply (A1) across most impact categories. Manufacturing (A3), distribution (A4), and end-of-life treatment (C4) each contribute up to approximately 20% in certain categories. Module D indicates potential offsets of life cycle impacts through material and energy substitution.

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.