2050 Materials - API

This document serves as an introduction to the 2050 Materials Database API. The API provides access to product and material data related to sustainability factors such as carbon emissions, circularity, and health impacts. This information can be used to inform sustainable product design decisions and support environmentally conscious business practices. The API also includes details on authentication and troubleshooting, as well as data sources and collection methodology. This document provides an overview of the available data fields and answers frequently asked questions. For further assistance, please refer to the contact information provided at the end of this document.

API Endpoints (Updated 15/11/2023)

2050 Materials provides three main API endpoints, each catering to different aspects of sustainable construction and material data. Here's a simplified explanation of each:

1. Product-Specific Database API: This endpoint offers detailed information on about 100,000 building products from over 65 countries. It includes a comprehensive range of sustainability metrics for each product, such as Global Warming Potential (GWP), Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), and other environmental impact data. This API is useful for professionals seeking specific product-level data to make informed, eco-friendly choices in their projects.

This is a complete database covering >105’000 construction and architectural products from >2’340 manufacturers. The database includes information gathered from EPDs, as well as other certification bodies and manually collected information through the 2050 Materials database. For a preview of the type of information available, please visit app.2050-materials.com

2. Generic-Materials Database API: This endpoint provides average data derived from various sources, including digitized Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and multiple national databases like OKOBAUDAT, KBOB, iStructE, ICE, etc. It’s designed to offer a broader perspective on the sustainability metrics of generic construction materials, rather than specific products. This API is ideal for those who need a general overview of the environmental impact of different material types.

This is a frequently updated database which covers around 5’000 generic construction products/materials to be used in early stage assessments and as a benchmark of product-specific information. The database is generated by the 2050 Materials data team based on state-of-the-art statistical approaches to aggregate and average the ever-growing product library as well as several other national databases like OKOBAUDAT, KBOB, iStructE, ICE, etc., structured according to the 2050 Materials database framework. For a preview of the type of information available, please contact us.

3. Embodied Carbon & Warming Potential API: This API focuses on calculating the embodied carbon and warming potential at a building level. It estimates emissions based on basic building parameters such as area, typology, glazing, and others. This tool is particularly valuable for assessing the overall environmental impact of a construction project, helping in making decisions that align with climate change mitigation goals. This endpoint includes 3 main parts:
   • Data Collection and Analysis: 2050 Materials gathers a vast array of data points on the emissions associated with various building materials. This data is then analyzed using artificial intelligence (AI), statistical methods, and life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches. The goal here is to accurately determine the average environmental impacts associated with different types of building structures.
   • Parametric Modeling for Carbon Estimation: Utilizing this extensive data, 2050 Materials has created a parametric model specifically designed for early-stage estimations of embodied carbon in buildings. This model allows for quick and accurate assessments of the carbon footprint associated with different building designs and materials.
   • Warming Potential Metric: A unique aspect of this tool is its ability to convert these carbon emission figures into a "warming potential" metric. This metric projects the contribution of a building's emissions to climate change in a forward-looking manner. It's particularly useful for urban planners and policymakers as it can inform decarbonization strategies, track climate impact, and foster engagement in managing climate risks.

Each of these endpoints serves a unique purpose in the realm of sustainable construction, enabling users to access tailored data for specific needs, from detailed product analyses to overall building impact assessments.

How to get test access to our API

Test access to the 2050 Materials API (1)

API Access and Authentication details

License is available to any organization which has a use-case for high-quality product information. Use cases include, but are not limited to, building a carbo tool for the construction industry, linking carbon and other data in cost estimation software, and including more granular information in real estate climate risk metrics.

Authenticating and receiving access to the API is simple and straight forward. If you are interested, please send us an email at [email protected].

For Technical API documentation (e.g. how to generate a token, etc.) please refer to this page.

Data fields available in the API

The API is continuously updated with information which the 2050 Materials team collects around building products. If you are looking for a data point which is not part of this, please inquire about it by writing an email to [email protected], and the team will inform you about the feasibility of including it.

The table below outlines all existing fields (Updated 15/11/2023)

2050 Materials API Fields Available