As demand for transparency in construction materials intensifies, manufacturers like OTB Materials are increasingly required to provide third-party verified EPDs. Based in the United States, OTB Materials produces low-carbon cement using supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag, which eliminate the need for kiln-fired production and significantly lower embodied carbon.
While OTB Materials’ product performance met sustainability expectations, customers increasingly demanded third-party verified EPDs, from public procurement projects to precast concrete clients.
Without internal life-cycle assessment (LCA) expertise, OTB Materials faced a clear challenge: how to meet escalating documentation demands without outsourcing expertise or compromising credibility.
To respond to these pressures, OTB Materials adopted the One Click LCA EPD Generator. The software allowed the team to produce verified EPDs internally, accelerating both documentation timelines and organizational learning.
What set the platform apart was its accessibility. Despite no prior background in environmental reporting, OTB Materials’ team was able to navigate the system and deliver certified results.
“The One Click LCA platform is designed in a way that even someone with no LCA background can figure it out.”
-Steven McLaughlin, Operations Manager, OTB Materials
This ease of use was not just a matter of onboarding; it also proved central to developing a scalable internal process. OTB Materials quickly expanded its use of the software to support different product mixes and customer engagements, reducing its reliance on external consultants.
OTB Materials’ shift to in-house EPD generation did more than meet compliance requirements, it became a strategic advantage in customer relationships. The team began using One Click LCA to model scenarios tailored to specific client needs, including regional transportation routes, material substitutions, and site-specific conditions.
This responsiveness proved decisive during early-stage sales conversations, particularly with pre-cast concrete producers evaluating alternatives to traditional cement.
“I was able to make adjustments that reflected regional conditions with a prospect, on-site and quickly. That moment turned into a serious business discussion. The tool enables not just compliance, but growth.”
-Steven McLaughlin, Operations Manager, OTB Materials
Draft EPDs created through the platform gave potential clients a clearer view of the environmental gains from switching to low-carbon materials, enabling data-led discussions that accelerated decision-making.
Beyond its value in sales and reporting, One Click LCA has also become an engine for innovation at OTB Materials. The software's scenario modeling capabilities allow the Research & Development (R&D) team to test raw material substitutions, simulate transport impacts, and evaluate regional supply chain configurations using credible life-cycle data.
This approach has already influenced OTB Materials’ product roadmap, including the development of two new low-carbon mix configurations identified through scenario analysis.
“We use the tool for R&D, testing different materials, transport scenarios, and combinations. Data from the tool helps us develop new products and rethink our roadmap.”
-Steven McLaughlin, Operations Manager, OTB Materials
The ability to evaluate design and sourcing choices using environmental data has allowed OTB Materials to proactively identify and pursue carbon reduction opportunities that align with commercial goals.
The technical capabilities of the platform were essential to getting the work done, but OTB Materials also benefited from the One Click LCA support ecosystem. This included access to templates, structured training materials, and a global community forum. The latter became a particularly valuable resource for troubleshooting and refining workflows.
“The community forum made it easy to find answers, sometimes leading us to make changes that substantially lowered our carbon footprint or allowed us to get through the verification process without delay.”
-Steven McLaughlin, Operations Manager, OTB Materials
This peer-driven support structure helped OTB Materials accelerate its learning curve and resolve technical questions without costly delays or external intervention.
With verified EPDs now integrated into its core business operations, OTB Materials is better positioned to support downstream clients — particularly in Buy Clean jurisdictions such as California and New York. Many precast producers do not yet have their own EPDs. OTB Materials bridges this gap by modeling draft declarations that demonstrate potential carbon savings using its cement.
This collaborative, data-backed approach not only strengthens customer trust but also improves alignment with procurement standards increasingly shaped by carbon thresholds and digital transparency requirements.
OTB Materials’ experience demonstrates how environmental documentation can move beyond regulatory obligation to become a driver of innovation, sales engagement, and market differentiation. With One Click LCA, the company has established a scalable, data-driven framework to support its customers, enhance internal decision-making, and accelerate its commercial impact.
Bringing EPD generation in-house has not only reduced cost and lead times — it has reshaped how OTB Materials approaches product development, sales, and sustainability.