SUSTAINABILITY
THAT WORKS.

The targeted reduction of the clinker content in cement reduces the product’s CO₂ emissions. This is achieved through the use of grinding aids that replace conventional components. To make this transformation future-oriented, we are investing extensively in procurement and long-term security and are continuously advancing research into alternative raw materials.

A milestone in this development is our groundbreaking innovation ‘meca-clay’: for the first time, we have succeeded in converting all types of clay into highly reactive cement additives using only electrical energy – a decisive step towards more climate-friendly building materials.

meca-clay

Since around two-thirds of emissions in cement production are process-related, there are technical limits to how much they can be avoided. Our goal is therefore to capture the unavoidable CO₂ directly in the manufacturing process – with the help of modern carbon capture technologies.

The captured CO₂ can then either be liquefied and permanently stored underground (CCS – Carbon Capture & Storage) or, in combination with hydrogen, further processed into new products such as synthetic fuels using various methods (CCU – Carbon Capture & Use).

We are pursuing several technological approaches for CO₂ capture in SCHWENK cement plants:

1. Oxyfuel technology
2. Tail-end technologies

More about carbon capture technologies and projects

The use of clinker-reduced cements has a significant impact on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of concrete.
Another step toward more sustainable construction is the use of recycled aggregates in concrete. They play an important role in conserving natural resources.

Learn more about our concrete with improved sustainability features

Learn more about concretes with recycled aggregates

Thanks to extensive innovations, modern construction methods using concrete can already be successfully implemented today. These methods incorporate both advanced manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing, and product innovations, such as carbon concrete and lightweight concrete. They enable structures to meet the most demanding engineering requirements.

The circular economy is becoming increasingly important in the construction industry. Since 2023, SCHWENK has been consolidating its circular economy activities in a separate division.

Circular Economy Division

At SCHWENK, reliable, punctual and cost-efficient delivery to our customers is our top priority. Even when customer demand fluctuates significantly, we remain a reliable partner with deliveries that are accurate to the hour.

Our building materials are naturally heavy. Whenever possible, we use inland waterway vessels and rail to transport raw materials and deliver building materials.

Across all locations and divisions, we at SCHWENK are pursuing an increase in the proportion of green electricity. In addition to concluding various power purchase agreements (PPAs), we are working on a number of projects to reduce the overall electricity consumption of our plants.

Our certified energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001 helps us to systematically record, analyse and continuously optimise our energy consumption.

Rock extraction projects involve interventions in nature and the landscape that can last for several decades. This makes it all the more important to limit these interventions to what is absolutely necessary. Our approach is based on holistic concepts that both minimise land use and ensure the full utilisation of natural resources. In addition, we make targeted use of alternative raw materials to further reduce the environmental impact.

Even during ongoing mining operations, we create new habitats for pioneer species and rare animal and plant species through our migratory biotope concept. As part of our biodiversity management plans and species conservation projects, we specifically promote endangered species and biotic communities – for example, through measures to reintroduce the grey partridge.
The land is always used in compliance with the law and in close consultation with the relevant licensing authorities and local communities. The aim is to avoid conflicts of use and to implement renaturation in a professional manner that is adapted to the natural environment. We also adhere to a binding guideline that takes into account operations in areas with potential land use conflicts. The definition of such sensitive zones is based on internationally recognised guidelines, such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the protected area categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).