Heidelberg Materials entered the Hungarian cement market in 1989. Since then it has become a dominant player in the cement and ready-mixed concrete market, and also has investments in aggregates production as well as paving stone manufacturing. Operations are led by Duna-Dráva Cement Kft. – a joint venture with SCHWENK Zement KG. Today, Duna-Dráva Cement Kft. (DDC) is one of the country’s leading building materials producers.
DDC operates two cement plants – Vác and Beremend – which produce various types of cement. Located along the river Danube, north of the Hungarian capital Budapest, the Vác plant is distinguished by the superior quality of its limestone resources, which have been rated the purest in the country. In 2023, the Vác plant celebrated its 60th anniversary, while the Beremend plant in southern Hungary has over 110 years of tradition.
Heidelberg Materials invests significantly in the modernisation, improvement, and environmental protection of the two plants. In the mid-90s, a new kiln technology was introduced to the Vác plant, and, between 2016 - 2020, the company realised an almost HUF 9 billion new environmental investment aimed at minimising dust emissions and increasing the alternative fuels substitution rate. The modernisation contributes to the growth of operational safety, promotes sustainable cement production, and ensures that DDC will continue to be a stable and reliable employer in the area for decades to come.
In 2009, the modernisation of clinker production at the Beremend plant was completed, which raised the BAT level throughout the Hungarian cement industry. Beremend’s capacity was significantly expanded by this investment, which also improved the plant’s competitiveness by increasing the alternative fuels substitution rate.
DDC increased its concrete business and expanded into the field of paving stone manufacturing by acquiring Readymix Hungária Kft. and its subsidiaries in 2017. With this acquisition DDC’s main goal is to further strengthen its market position and expand its activities in the relevant fields.
