5 Ways Heat Pump Manufacturers Can Prepare for the Future
Heat pumps play an important role in Europe's clean energy transition. As demand grows, so do expectations from customers, regulators, investors, and procurement teams. Manufacturers are being asked more often to not only demonstrate product performance, but also to show credible information about environmental impacts across the entire life cycle
Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are valuable tools for showing transparency and identifying opportunities for product improvement. They are also essential for preparing for future sustainability requirements, like the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and future Digital Product Passports.
Niklas van Dijk, Environmental Engineer and Team Lead LCA/EPD General at Kiwa Berlin, shares five ways manufacturers can prepare for what's next.
Problem #1: "We don't know which sustainability requirements to prepare for."
The regulatory landscape continues to change. At the same time, customers, public procurement bodies, and financial institutions increasingly expect reliable environmental information.
Our solution
Kiwa helps manufacturers establish a strong foundation through LCAs conducted in accordance with internationally recognized standards and supports the development of verified EPDs. Rather than treating these as compliance exercises, we help customers use them as building blocks for future sustainability requirements and greater product transparency.
Problem #2: "Our product is too complex for an LCA."
Heat pumps are built from a wide range of components and materials, making many manufacturers question whether an accurate assessment is even possible.
"In fact, many manufacturers worry that their product is too complex to cover in a life cycle assessment, but we always find a solution," explains Niklas.
Our solution
"With our comprehensive experience across various product categories, we support clients with tools and flexibility, including using industry-based assumptions where needed when data is not available," explains Niklas. "We always find good solutions using estimations, even for very complex products. But the more accurate the data, the more meaningful the results. We can give guidance on what to focus on during the data collection based on what will have a big impact on the results in the end."
Problem #3: "We don't have the internal resources to manage an LCA or EPD."
Preparing an LCA or EPD requires technical expertise, structured data collection, and coordination. For many manufacturers – especially those with smaller sustainability teams – this can be a real challenge.
Our solution
Kiwa handles most of the technical work while manufacturers focus on providing product and operational data.
"We adapt to the customer's way of working and can handle most of the heavy lifting. The main task of the manufacturer is to support data collection. Everything else, such as EPD document preparation, is mainly handled by us," says Niklas. However, Kiwa can also give guidance and develop scalable structures together with the client to enable them to meet most of the requirements independently, for example, by providing tools and training.
Problem #4: "We have environmental data, but we're not sure how to use it."
It’s common for organizations to view an EPD as a procurement requirement.
Our solution
In reality, an EPD or LCA can also give valuable insights that support product development and continuous improvement.
"The life cycle assessment behind an EPD helps identify environmental 'hotspots' in the production process, making it possible to identify materials or stages that could be improved," explains Niklas.
Kiwa supports manufacturers throughout the process, from detailed LCAs to independently verified EPDs published through recognized program operators. We also help customers understand what the results mean and how to interpret them correctly.
Problem #5: "We need a scalable way to manage environmental information across our product portfolio."
As product portfolios grow, manually updating LCAs and creating EPDs for every product variation becomes more time-consuming.
Our solution
For manufacturers with larger product portfolios, Kiwa offers access to R<THINK, an online LCA and EPD tool.
"With R<THINK, clients can duplicate existing product models, adjust key parameters, and generate new EPDs with minimal effort," explains Niklas. "It's a cost-effective option for bigger manufacturers. Onboarding is offered according to the needs and knowledge of the customer, along with support if they run into any issues." The tool was developed by Kiwa and is constantly updated to meet the latest requirements. The newest add-on is R<THINK Share, where machine-readable LCA and EPD data can be transferred to different platforms and databases.
When it comes to verification, Kiwa can also offer a scalable approach through process certification, eliminating the need to verify every single calculation in detail.
Prepare today for tomorrow’s success
"What sets us apart at Kiwa is not only our technical ability, but our willingness to walk alongside clients through the process, helping them see the long-term value behind LCAs and EPDs," concludes Niklas. "I always encourage our customers to look at their results to see what could be improved in the future."
Sustainability expectations continue to change. One thing is becoming increasingly clear: those who invest in solid environmental data today will be better prepared for tomorrow’s regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and market opportunities.
Explore more
Read more Trace Magazine stories on product sustainability, life cycle assessment, environmental product declarations, sustainable manufacturing, and evolving regulatory developments.
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Niklas Van Dijk
- Environmental Engineer and Team Lead LCA/EPD General