The initial findings of what is probably the largest ever Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the international hardwood sector are expected to be released by AHEC (American Hardwood Export Council) at EcoBuild on its new modular exhibition stand (Stand S1055). Leading LCA consultants PE International are currently undertaking the first phase of data collection for the ground breaking Study which will conform to the ISO14000 series of Standards for LCAs. Life Cycle Inventory data is being gathered for American hardwood lumber and veneer covering environmental impacts of every process from point of extraction through to delivery to the importers yard in Europe and East Asia.

The study will allow preparation of Environmental Products Declarations (EPDs) for American hardwood species and products. EPDs are widely recognised as the most effective method of communicating the full environmental profile of any product and are increasingly used as a basis for materials credits in green building rating systems like BREEAM and DGNB. The study will also include, as a discrete component, an assessment of the carbon footprint of using American hardwood lumber and veneers in Europe in line with the UK’s PAS 2050 standard and the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

The LCA Study is a massive undertaking for AHEC, with full results not expected until the end of 2011. Says David Venables: “Eco-build is the perfect platform to start to roll out our LCA findings and the aim by the end of the year is to provide enough information to help manufacturers of American hardwood products to be able to prepare their own EPD’s to international standards.”

Exhibition stand designed to reduce waste

AHEC’s* new exhibition stand design reflects the organisation’s stringent review of its environmental impacts.  A series of re-usable and adaptable high quality joinery pieces in American ash have been developed by Silverwood Exhibitions.  These simple sail-shaped pieces can be used for a variety of stand shapes and sizes again and again for exhibitions all over the world.  EcoBuild 2011 will see the UK launch of AHEC’s new innovative and environmental approach to exhibition stand design.

Says David Venables, AHEC’s European Director: “Trade Shows can be expensive and wasteful when it comes to designing and building attractive stands which more often than not end up dismantled and discarded. Our new approach, which re-uses adaptable, easy to assemble, great looking panels, cuts down on costs and represents a further step in our mission to reduce our environmental impacts.”

* The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is the leading international trade association for the US hardwood industry, representing the committed exporters among US hardwood companies and all the major US hardwood production trade associations.
AHEC concentrates its efforts on providing architects, designers and end-users with technical information on the range of species, products and sources of supply.
Web-site: www.americanhardwood.org