Emidat, a company focused on environmental data solutions for the construction industry, has raised €4 million (~$4.4 million) in seed funding, led by General Catalyst. The funding will support the development of a platform designed to improve the environmental impact assessment of building materials, promoting Emidat sustainable construction practices.
Addressing Environmental Impact in Construction
As the European Union plans to introduce mandatory building product declarations, Emidat is developing a system to manage environmental data in the construction industry and to foster Emidat sustainable construction practices.
Central to this system are Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which provide details about the environmental impact of materials throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal.
EPDs are intended to help architects, developers, and contractors make more informed choices about the materials used in construction projects, aligning with Emidat sustainable construction practices.
The construction sector accounts for 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A large portion comes from embodied carbon. Embodied carbon refers to emissions from the lifecycle of building materials. While buildings are more energy-efficient, embodied carbon remains a concern.
In 2021, embodied carbon contributed to 11% (4.48 billion tonnes COâ‚‚e) of global emissions. As construction grows, the environmental impact of materials is expected to rise. Emidat sustainable construction practices are crucial in addressing this challenge.
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Simplifying the Creation of EPDs
Currently, creating EPDs is often time-consuming, costly, and fragmented. Emidat’s platform aims to address these issues by streamlining the process. The platform integrates with existing workflows and supports data input through APIs, Excel, and Building Information Modeling (BIM). It includes environmental data for over 150,000 construction products, making it easier for industry professionals to access and compare relevant information.
Benefits for Material Manufacturers
Emidat’s platform offers several features for material manufacturers:
- Simplified EPD Creation: The platform helps reduce the time and cost associated with generating EPDs.
- Greater Transparency: Manufacturers can make their sustainability efforts more accessible by centralizing environmental data.
- Competitive Advantage: Manufacturers can use the platform to demonstrate their sustainability practices and meet market demand for environmentally responsible products.
Emidat, founded in 2023 by Lisa Oberaigner (CEO) and Florian Fesch (CTO), has already attracted clients from major global construction suppliers, including some of the largest concrete manufacturers.
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Supporting the Industry’s Sustainability Goals
Lisa Oberaigner, CEO of Emidat, highlighted the significant role buildings play in both the economy and the environment. With 75% of the buildings expected in 2050 still to be built, she stressed the opportunity to reduce their environmental impact through better data and decision-making.
Emidat’s platform aims to help the construction sector cut embodied carbon and meet the EU’s net-zero target by 2050.
According to the company, users of the platform report a 70% reduction in the time and costs required to generate EPDs. The platform also includes AI-driven tools to help with data collection and content creation.
With the support of General Catalyst, Emidat plans to further develop its platform and expand its reach within the construction industry. The company is already working with manufacturers in sectors such as concrete, insulation, steel, and facades to promote Emidat sustainable construction practices.