Concrete is essential for the infrastructure of the future. It is durable, fully recyclable, and produced locally. Given its resistance to extreme weather events such as droughts and severe storms, it plays an important role in mitigating climate change. Since concrete is also inexpensive to manufacture, it can provide even emerging countries with a solid infrastructure at a reasonable cost.
Cement is CO₂-intensive – decarbonisation is the solution
However, the production of cement, the “binder” in concrete, is CO₂-intensive. Therefore, the building materials industry is one of the biggest producers of carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, this means we have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to climate neutrality – and we are fully committed to this challenge at Heidelberg Materials.
As a technology leader, we are playing a pioneering role in the decarbonisation of our industry: We have set ambitious targets for reducing specific net CO₂ emissions to 400 kg per tonne of cementitious material by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 latest – and soon offerthe world's first carbon captured net-zero cement.
Our targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as being in line with the 1.5°C Roadmap for the cement industry and the SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard.
We rely on innovative technologies for carbon capture usage and storage. CCUS is a key component of our climate strategy. We aim for mechanical completion of our CCS facility in Brevik, Norway, by end of 2024. We will implement further projects by 2030.
Adding blast furnace slag and fly ash as secondary cementitious materials (SCMs) can reduce the carbon emissions typical of concrete by substituting Portland cement with these by-products from steel mills and coal power plants. In addition, we develop alternative binders to further reduce or eliminate the need for conventional clinker.
Concrete is fully recyclable – which means our industry can have a big impact. Through resource efficiency, co-processing of waste materials, and concrete recycling, we want to contribute to a functioning circular economy.
3D printing in construction is an upcoming new way of building that through robotic automation allows for the reduction of material usage, the reduction of waste, the increase of process efficiency and safety, while ensuring enhanced design freedom.
