HeidelbergCement 2016 sustainability achievements

HeidelbergCement has published its Group Sustainability Report 2016 which shows specific net CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 22.6 per cent compared to the base year of 1990.

This eighth Sustainability Report for the group was prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI G4) and summarises important topics and challenges for HeidelbergCement in its drive for sustainable development. The report focuses on targets, measures and achievements of the company’s sustainability management.

Occupational safety and climate protection
The health and safety of its employees is central to the HeidelbergCement Sustainability Ambitions. In 2016, HeidelbergCement was able to reduce the accident frequency rate as well as the severity rate. “HeidelbergCement will continue to invest in trainings and awareness campaigns for occupational safety in order to reduce accidents to a minimum. Moreover, we will give the adherence to Group-wide safety standards highest priority,” said Dr Bernd Scheifele, CEO of HeidelbergCement.

Climate protection and the reduction of CO₂ emissions remained another focus of HeidelbergCement's sustainability management in 2016. For instance, specific net carbon dioxide emissions fell 22.6 per cent (compared to 1990 levels) to 598kg/t of cement. This was partly due to a significant increase of the use of alternative fuels at a number of plants throughout the group. For example, the Gorazdze cement plant in Poland achieved an alternative fuel rate of 70 per cent.

“The numbers show that HeidelbergCement made progress in 2016,” said Dr Scheifele. “We aim to further decrease our CO₂ emissions. Therefore, we are conducting intensive research in future-oriented technologies to use CO₂ as a resource.”

Platform for sustainable supplier management launched in pilot countries
At HeidelbergCement, corporate responsibility for the environment and society is not limited to its own production processes but also encompasses the supply chain. Therefore, group-wide procurement guidelines provide clear instructions regarding supplier relationships and procurement activities. The company notes that in 2016, it made significant progress regarding the systematic management and assessment of its suppliers. An online platform, which has already been introduced in several countries, will simplify the systematic recording and consolidation of supplier data as well as its assessment in accordance with selected sustainability aspects.