Smart EPD
GlasRoc® Tile Backer 5/8" - Montreal (Prospective EPD)

Environmental Product Declaration

GlasRoc® Tile Backer 5/8" - Montreal (Prospective EPD)

by CertainTeed Saint-Gobain

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for GlasRoc® Tile Backer 5/8" - Montreal (Prospective EPD), manufactured by CertainTeed Saint-Gobain. Declaration SmartEPD-2026-145-0977-01, prepared according to Smart EPD® Part B PCR for Gypsum Panels, 1000-004, v2.0, valid until July 10, 2027.

Download the EPD (PDF)

Functional unit
1,000 ft2 of product
Valid until
July 10, 2027
PCR
Part B PCR for Gypsum Panels 1000-004

Declaration details

Manufacturer
CertainTeed Saint-Gobain
Program operator
Smart EPD
Declaration number
SmartEPD-2026-145-0977-01
Date of issue
July 10, 2026
Valid until
July 10, 2027
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
System boundary
Cradle to grave (A1 - A3, A4, A5, B1 - B7, C1 - C4)
Product specificity
Product Specific
Manufacturing specificity
Facility Specific
Manufacturing plant
CertainTeed Gypsum (700 1re Avenue, Sainte-Catherine, QC J5C 1C5, Canada)
Product category
Finishes › Gypsum
Product service life
75 years
Verifier
Vijay Thakur, Individual Verifier
LCA software
Sphera LCA for Experts (formerly GaBi) 10.9.2
Program instructions
Smart EPD General Program Instructions v.2.0, March 2025

Life cycle assessment results

Results per 1,000 ft2 of product.

Environmental Impact Assessment Results

IndicatorUnitA1-A3A4A5B1B2B3B4B5B6B7C1C2C3C4
GWP-total (incl biogenic)kg CO2 eq2.35e+25.60e+12.11e+1000000001.92e+102.30e+1
GWP-fossilkg CO2 eq2.34e+25.57e+16.68e+1000000001.90e+102.29e+1
GWP-totalkg CO2 eq2.40e+25.54e+11.99e+1000000001.89e+102.26e+1
GWP-total (excl biogenic)kg CO2 eq2.40e+25.50e+16.55e+1000000001.88e+102.25e+1
ODPkg CFC 11 eq6.33e-41.94e-115.16e-7000000006.66e-1201.21e-10
APkg SO2 eq5.40e-11.70e-13.71e-1000000008.85e-201.18e-1
EP-freshwaterkg N eq4.23e-23.64e-51.00e-3NDNDND000001.25e-507.62e-6
EP-Marinekg N eq1.36e-11.55e-11.14e-1000000008.25e-205.90e-2
POCPkg O3 eq9.48e+04.54e+03.86e+0000000002.60e+002.12e+0
ADP-fossilMJ2.57e+37.05e+21.42e+3000000002.42e+203.34e+2

Resource Use Indicators

IndicatorUnitA1-A3A4A5B1B2B3B4B5B6B7C1C2C3C4
PEREMJ4.01e+33.18e+13.74e+2000000009.82e+005.20e+1
PERMMJ2.16e+10000000000000
PERTMJ4.03e+32.86e+13.74e+2000000009.82e+005.20e+1
PENREMJ1.39e+37.89e+21.48e+3000000002.44e+203.42e+2
PENRMMJ2.18e+10000000000000
PENRTMJ1.41e+37.89e+21.48e+3000000002.44e+203.42e+2
FWm31.24e+12.45e-21.31e+0000000007.56e-303.70e-2
SMkg00000000000000
RSFMJ00000000000000
NRSFMJ00000000000000
REMJ00000000000000

Waste and Output Flow Indicators

IndicatorUnitA1-A3A4A5B1B2B3B4B5B6B7C1C2C3C4
HWDkg7.13e+01.65e-76.30e-7000000005.11e-809.42e-8
NHWDkg4.99e+19.26e-21.30e+2000000002.86e-201.06e+3
HLRWkg9.57e-62.86e-61.21e-5000000008.83e-703.28e-6
ILLRWkg8.42e-32.40e-31.09e-2000000007.41e-402.83e-3
MFRkg00000000000000
MERkg00000000000000
MNERkg00000000000000
EEEMJ00000000000000
EETMJ00000000000000

Carbon Emissions and Removals

IndicatorUnitA1-A3A4A5B1B2B3B4B5B6B7C1C2C3C4
BCRPkg CO2-8.43e-20000000000000
BCEPkg CO200000000000008.43e-2
BCRKkg CO2-1.10e-20000000000000
BCEKkg CO2001.10e-200000000000
BCEWkg CO200000000000000
CCEkg CO200000000000000
CCRkg CO200000000000000
CWNRkg CO2000NDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDND0

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 CategoryOrigin% Mass
GypsumConfidential85 - 95
Internally Recycled GypsumConfidential2 - 9
Glass MatConfidential2 - 6
FiberglassConfidential0 - 1
SiliconeConfidential0 - 1
AdditivesConfidential0 - 1
Packaging
Packaging materialOriginMass (kg)
TapeConfidential0-1
SpacersConfidential1.5-2
Biogenic carbon
Biogenic carbon contentkg C per 1000 ft2
Biogenic carbon content in product0.023
Biogenic carbon content in accompanying packaging0.003

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
Commercial tractor-trailer truck
Transport distance
448 km
Capacity utilization
70%
Weight of products transported
1175 kg
Packaging mass
2.25 kg

Transport to the building site (A4)

Fuel type
Diesel
Vehicle type
Rail
Transport distance
208 km
Capacity utilization
70%
Weight of products transported
1175 kg
Packaging mass
2.25 kg

Transport to the building site (A4)

Fuel type
Diesel
Vehicle type
Single unit truck
Transport distance
40 km
Capacity utilization
70%
Weight of products transported
1175 kg
Packaging mass
2.25 kg

End of life (C1-C4)

Collected with mixed construction waste
1175 kg
Product or material for final disposal
1175 kg

Product description

GlasRoc® Tile Backer Infinaé™ CarbonLow™ is an excellent option for those looking to create a durable and long-lasting base for their tile installations. Made from high-quality materials, GlasRoc Tile Backer provides superior protection against moisture, mold, and other common problems associated with tile installations. GlasRoc Tile Backer features a unique design that includes a fiberglass mat embedded in a gypsum core, providing exceptional strength and stability. This design ensures that the tile installation remains intact and stable, even in high-moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Easy to install, GlasRoc Tile Backer can be cut to size using a utility knife or saw, ensuring a perfect fit for any project. Its lightweight construction also makes it easy to handle and work with, reducing the risk of fatigue and injury during installation. Designed to resist moisture and mold, GlasRoc Tile Backer is an ideal option for areas that require a high level of moisture resistance, such as bathrooms, showers, and saunas. GlasRoc Tile Backer is also fire-rated, making it a safe option for any project.

Interpretation

Based on the results of the life cycle assessment model, the environmental impacts are primarily driven by the raw material, installation, and raw material transportation life cycle stages. Raw materials account for approximately 34% of the Global Warming Potential impacts, with the majority of these impacts attributable to the glass mat, which represents the largest contributor within the raw material stage. Installation also contributes significantly to the overall cradle-to-grave impacts due to the assumptions required by the Product Category Rules , while transportation of raw materials further contributes to the product's environmental footprint.

Although the manufacturing stage (A3) contributes the smallest share of the product's cradle-to-grave GWP impacts, it was identified as the primary opportunity for environmental improvement because it is directly controlled by the manufacturer. The reduction in environmental impacts is primarily driven by the transition from fossil fuel-based manufacturing to electrified production powered by renewable electricity. By replacing natural gas with renewable hydroelectricity in Québec, the project significantly reduces direct (Scope 1) emissions associated with energy-intensive manufacturing processes.

In addition, the implementation of multiple heat recovery systems, enhanced energy-efficient plant design, and improved process control strategies further reduces overall energy demand and optimizes operational performance. Together, these improvements are expected to increase manufacturing energy efficiency , resulting in meaningful reductions in environmental impacts while supporting a lower carbon manufacturing process. Despite the relatively small contribution of the A3 stage to the overall product footprint, these targeted manufacturing improvements provide measurable environmental benefits and demonstrate the effectiveness of decarbonizing energy intensive production processes.

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.