Saint-Gobain Abrasives publishes the world’s first EPDs for abrasive products
Saint-Gobain Abrasives publishes the world’s first Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for abrasive products – a groundbreaking sustainability milestone, achieved through Norton cutting & grinding discs
As part of our ongoing commitment to responsible innovation, we are proud to lead the industry with a major achievement in sustainable manufacturing: the first-ever published EPDs for abrasive products worldwide, covering a selection of cutting and grinding discs from the Norton brand.
These products incorporate a minimum of 14% recycled materials and are engineered to deliver exceptional performance while supporting a more sustainable future. Initially, a comparative study was conducted between the previous formula and the new one, now including recycled grains, to validate its performance and confirm a reduced carbon footprint. The EPDs provide customers and partners clear, reliable data to make informed decisions aligned with their own environmental goals.
These publications are more than a company milestone; they are a global industry first. Following extensive, collaborative efforts across the abrasives sector, the Product Category Rules (PCRs) for abrasives were officially published in June 2024. These PCRs establish the standardized framework for how EPDs in the abrasives industry are developed and communicated and we are proud to be the first abrasive manufacturer worldwide to publish EPDs based on this new global standard.
This achievement reflects our strong dedication to environmental transparency, reducing our carbon footprint thanks to the inclusion of recycled materials inside each disc, and reaffirms our leadership in driving sustainability across the abrasives industry.
What is an EPD?
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a third-party verified document that provides objective, comparable, and transparent data about a product’s environmental impact throughout its life cycle.
Through a complete Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), we measure the environmental footprint of our products, from raw material extraction to end-of-life and make this information publicly available via an EPD.
It’s a clear commitment: to reduce our environmental footprint and communicate transparently about the environmental performance of our solutions.
Which products have an EPD certification?
The six EPDs cover a selection of cutting discs from our Norton range, developed for the DIY market in the EMEA region. These discs offer exceptional performance for cutting steel, stainless steel and multi-materials.
The certified products include:
 | Norton® Expert Battery ProIdeal for use with cordless angle grinders. With a 1.0 mm profile, these thin, lightweight, and easy-to-handle discs provide fast, precise cuts while preserving battery life.
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| Norton® Expert Faster ProAt 1.3 mm thick, these discs balance cutting speed and safety. The self-sharpening zirconia grain ensures long-lasting performance, especially on stainless steel.
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 | Norton® Expert Stronger Pro - InoxFeaturing a thicker profile and additional internal reinforcements, these discs offer a dual function: cutting and grinding with one single product.
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 | Norton® Expert Stronger Pro - Multi MaterialBased on the same technology as the Stronger Pro Inox, these versatile discs are designed to cut and grind various materials including metal, stainless steel, stone, PVC, aluminum, ceramic, and tiles.
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 | Norton® Travaux Extrêmes Blue Pro – InoxOur high-end range for the French DIY market. These cutting discs incorporate the latest technological advancements and are optimized for steel and stainless steel.
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 | Norton® Travaux Extrêmes Blue Pro – Multi MaterialsBased on the same technology as the Blue Pro Inox, these ultra-versatile discs deliver effective cutting performance across a wide range of materials—offering durability, precision, and comfort.
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When will the products be available?
All certified products are available now, with the exception of the Norton® Expert Battery Pro Inox, coming soon.
For more information, or specific availability in your area, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, we’ll be happy to assist you.
Where can you find the EPDs?
The EPDs are available:
On the New Generation Cutting & Grinding Disc product page of our Norton website.
Directly on the official Environdec platform, the international system for environmental product declarations.
“These first EPD certifications mark a major milestone in our sustainability strategy. They reflect our concrete commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and set an example for the industry. We are proud to be the first abrasive manufacturer worldwide to publish EPDs based on the newly established Product Category Rules (PCRs). And this is just the beginning, we will continue expanding certifications across our product ranges and driving progress toward a more sustainable future.”
Aldric Barbier
Director Sustainability & Product Compliance
