Senior Architectural Systems publishes EPD for its SF52 aluminium curtain wall system

Senior Architectural Systems, a leading UK supplier of aluminium fenestration solutions, has published a new independently verified and product specific Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) which delivers a new level of transparency for its SF52 aluminium curtain wall system.

Developed in accordance with EN 15804+A2 and independently verified to ISO 14025:2011, the new EPD provides transparent, third-party assessed data on the environmental performance of the SF52 curtain wall system. This includes key metrics such as global warming potential (GWP), energy consumption, and water usage across the product’s full life cycle.

Unlike many comparable EPDs in the market, which typically report carbon figures for 1kg of aluminium billet and often exclude the environmental impacts of profile extrusion and non-aluminium components, Senior’s latest publication sets a new standard. The SF52 EPD offers fully project-relevant data by detailing the environmental impact of all system components, including thermal breaks, gaskets, and fixings, as well as fabrication and delivery to site via Senior’s fabricator network. The energy-intensive extrusion process is also accounted for, providing a truly comprehensive overview.

Senior’s new EPD has also been developed in line with the latest BS EN 18001:2024 Product Category Rules for curtain walling, using the recommended reference sizes for the system. Importantly, the glazing has been excluded, as it is not normally supplied by system houses. If glazing is included, it can distort results when divided down to 1m² declared unit. The heavy weight of glass, combined with its relatively low carbon per kg, makes the overall figures for the aluminium system look lower than they really are after conversion. That’s why for complete accuracy, glazing should always be reported separately through its own EPD.

By taking this approach, we believe our SF52 EPD gives a true and transparent figure per m² of aluminium system. This more holistic approach not only aligns with rising industry expectations around transparency and project-specific carbon reporting, but also underlines Senior’s proactive strategy to support informed specification. The SF52 EPD is also unique in that it includes non-linear scaling,  with three system sizes verified and consolidated into a single publication. This enables specifiers to accurately calculate and scale the environmental impact of any SF52 mullion-drained system configuration. Senior and its verifier, EPD Hub, believe this level of detail is currently unmatched within the sector.

By making this data available, Senior is supporting the whole construction supply chain, from architects and main contractors to specialist fabricators and installers, in making more informed decisions when specifying aluminium curtain wall systems. The published EPD, which is available on request or via Senior’s NBS Source profile,  also supports compliance with increasingly stringent building regulations and sustainability frameworks such as BREEAM and Passivhaus projects.

Senior’s SF52 curtain wall system, which is manufactured in the UK using responsibly sourced aluminium, offers excellent thermal performance and high levels of recyclability. The publication of its EPD reinforces the product’s suitability for a wide range of low-carbon construction projects, including new builds and refurbishments across the commercial, education, residential, and public sectors.

Senior is also in the process of developing further EPDs for its aluminium system portfolio, including the patented PURe^® range, underlining the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable specification and transparent reporting.

Luke Osborne, Senior Architectural Systems’ UK sustainability lead, said: “We know how important reliable environmental data has become for everyone involved in the construction process, from design and procurement, right through to delivery and installation. The Environmental Product Declaration document for our SF52 curtain wall system gives our customers across the supply chain the information they need to meet their own sustainability targets and regulatory requirements. It’s also part of our wider commitment to raising standards and driving continuous improvement in environmental performance.”

Download the SF52 EPD via Senior’s NBS Source profile or request a copy from UK sustainability lead Luke Osborne at lukeo@sasmail.co.uk