YTL Cement secures Malaysia's first EPDs for broad range of low-carbon products

YTL Cement Group has become the first producer in Malaysia to secure Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for a broad range of cement, concrete and precast products, according to a statement released Nov. 21.

The declarations cover the company's ECOCem, ECOConcrete lines and selected precast items, marking a notable step in Malaysia's shift toward lower-carbon construction materials.

According to the statement, EPDs provide independently verified data on a product's environmental footprint over its life cycle, in line with international standards including ISO 14025 and ISO 14040. Such documentation is increasingly used in green building certification schemes and by project developers seeking to meet sustainability requirements.

Products newly certified include Castle Cement, which is a Singapore Green Label-approved cement typically used for bricklaying, screeding and general concreting, as well as ECOConcrete Grades 40 and 35, which are formulated to reduce embodied carbon while maintaining structural performance.

The group's precast subsidiary, Eastern Pretech, also received EPDs for hollow-core slabs, beams, planks and double-tee elements, marking the first EPDs issued for precast concrete products in Malaysia, according to market participants.

The move aligns with YTL Cement's broader push to decarbonize its product offerings. The company earlier launched its ECO range of lower-carbon materials, including ECOCem, ECOConcrete, ECOSand and ECODrymix, and has ongoing collaboration with Malaysia's Construction Research Institute (CREAM) on sustainable construction initiatives. Its Construction Development Laboratory and CDL Academy have provided training to more than 10,000 industry stakeholders on material innovation and sustainability practices, company representatives said.

"The EPD certifications represent an important step in our efforts to scale sustainable construction solutions," Executive Director Rachel Yeoh said.

Several Asia-based traders said the wider availability of EPD-certified materials may improve transparency for buyers and support Malaysia's carbon-neutral ambitions as developers work to meet green building criteria.

"Similar to the recent collaboration between Rondo Energy and SCG Cleanergy in Thailand, we're seeing more countries in the region taking steps to back decarbonization efforts," one Southeast Asian based trader said.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed cement (ASTM type I) FOB Vietnam at $35.5/mt on Nov. 20, higher from $34.75/mt the previous week. Platts also assessed cement clinker FOB Vietnam at $30.5/mt on Nov. 20, up from $29.75/mt FOB the previous week.