wienerberger launches Europe’s ‘greenest’ brick production and sets new standards for sustainable construction

EQS-Media / 29.11.2024 / 08:00 CET/CEST

wienerberger launches Europe’s ‘greenest’ brick production and sets new
standards for sustainable construction

• wienerberger opens modernized brick plant in Uttendorf (AT) with the
world’s largest electric industrial kiln
• The demo site sets new standards and enables the most sustainable
brick production within wienerberger
• Electricity from ecological sources such as own PV plant reduces
production emissions by around 90%

Vienna, November 29, 2024 – As part of its sustainability strategy,
wienerberger, a leading international provider of innovative, ecological
solutions for the entire building envelope, in the fields of new build and
renovation, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management,
opened its modernized brick plant in Uttendorf, Austria, on November 28th.
With the world’s largest industrial electric kiln, the plant sets new
standards for sustainable brick production. By running on green
electricity – for example from the plant’s own PV system – wienerberger is
reducing emissions for brick production by around 90% and overall energy
consumption by a third.

This success is part of the “GreenBricks” project: wienerberger is
developing innovative solutions for ecological, resource-saving
construction and testing them in Uttendorf. In addition to the
revolutionary electric kiln, the company is currently also testing new
types of clay mixtures here: Instead of coal or paper fibers, more
climate-friendly sawdust is used, a by-product of local wood processing.
Thanks to these and other innovations, wienerberger now operates Europe’s
most sustainable brick production facility in Uttendorf, setting new
standards for the entire construction material industry. Other
wienerberger sites will also benefit from the expertise gained and the
technologies developed in the future.

Heimo Scheuch, CEO of wienerberger, says: “We have a responsibility to
ensure a future worth living for coming generations. The construction
sector plays a key role in this, as buildings account for a third of
energy consumption and almost 40% of CO2 emissions worldwide. I am
therefore delighted that we have reached a decisive milestone on the road
to climate neutrality with the reopening of our modernized brick plant in
Uttendorf. Of course, this success only motivates to go even further. With
innovative solutions for affordable and resource-efficient construction,
we are making an active contribution to achieving the goals of the
European Green Deal. In doing so, we are shaping the future sustainably
and taking responsibility – as part of the solution.”

Ambitious sustainability goals
The plant in Uttendorf has been operated by wienerberger since 1987 and
is, among other things, a showcase site for the company’s innovations. For
example, the plant served as a testing site for the new high-temperature
heat pump used in drying processes in 2019. wienerberger invested a total
of around €30 million in the development of the electric kiln, and test
operations are now running with a production capacity of 270 tons of
bricks per day.

This makes the plant an essential part of wienerberger’s sustainability
strategy, with which the company is pursuing further ambitious goals. With
a focus on decarbonization, circular economy, biodiversity and other
areas, the company is paving the way for a sustainable and livable future
for generations to come. The goals of the program are updated every three
years, most recently in 2023. By 2026, the company will reduce its
emissions in production by 25% and increase the proportion of recyclable
or reusable products sold to over 90%. In addition, 75% of total sales
will be generated from building products for the construction of net-zero
buildings with a neutral carbon footprint by then. wienerberger is thus
positioning itself as a leading international solution provider and
pioneer for a sustainable construction industry.

wienerberger
wienerberger is a leading international provider of innovative, ecological
solutions for the entire building envelope, in the fields of new build and
renovation, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management. With
more than 20,000 employees worldwide, wienerberger’s solutions enable
energy-efficient, healthy, climate-friendly, and affordable living.
wienerberger is the world’s largest producer of bricks and the market
leader in clay roof tiles in Europe as well as concrete pavers in Eastern
Europe. In pipe systems (ceramic and plastic pipes), the company is one of
the leading suppliers in Europe and a leading supplier of facade products
in North America. At the beginning of 2024, wienerberger successfully
completed the acquisition of Terreal, becoming the leading European
provider of innovative all-in roofing and solar solutions, as well as
solutions for the entire building envelope in Europe and North America.
With its more than 200 production sites, wienerberger generated revenues
of approx. € 4.2 billion and an operating EBITDA of € 811 million in 2023.

For further information, please contact:
Claudia Hajdinyak, Head of Corporate Communications Wienerberger AG
t +43 664 828 31 83 | claudia.hajdinyak@wienerberger.com

End of Media Release

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Issuer: Wienerberger AG
Key word(s): Industry

29.11.2024 CET/CEST This Press Release was distributed by EQS Group AG.
www.eqs.com

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Language: English
Company: Wienerberger AG
Wienerbergerplatz 1
1100 Wien
Austria
Phone: +43 1 60 192-0
Fax: +43 1 60 192-10159
E-mail: investor@wienerberger.com
Internet: www.wienerberger.com
ISIN: AT0000831706
Listed: Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Market)
EQS News ID: 2039495

 
End of News EQS Media

2039495  29.11.2024 CET/CEST