The construction and building industry is responsible for almost 40 percent of global CO2 emissions. A not inconsiderable proportion of this is generated in the production of cement and other building materials. We are aware that our products rely on CO2-intensive raw materials such as cement and lime. We at Xella are aware: Together, we can find a way to a more climate-friendly construction industry. That's why we've been focusing on cooperation in initiatives and getting involved in associations and committees for years. (Read more)

With our involvement in the European Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Association (EAACA), our goal is to drive forward a pan-European strategy for sustainable construction.

The Zero Emission Roadmap – a joint approach

A total of 24 companies in the European construction industry are committed to a climate-neutral future in the EAACA trade association: it recently presented the Zero Emission Roadmap for this purpose. This roadmap outlines a strategy for how the industry could reduce its CO2 emissions from autoclaved aerated concrete to 0 by 2050, or even become carbon-negative, i.e., absorb more carbon than it releases.

Reduce emissions, use renewable energy sources, recycle products

This strategy aims to make the life cycle of autoclaved aerated concrete products as sustainable as possible – from the extraction of sustainable raw materials to low-emission transport and finally to optimized production. After a successful construction and use phase, disposed autoclaved aerated concrete is recycled and reused.

To achieve this goal, we as an industry must above all decide together and act innovatively. Six key points have been summarized in the NetZero Roadmap to achieve this: 

• Low-CO2 raw materials: Most CO2 emissions come from the production of two key raw materials: lime and cement. These two raw materials account for around 74 percent of the lifecycle emissions of an autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) product. If lime and cement are low-carbon, they can reduce the overall environmental footprint of AAC by 69 percent. Thus, the use of low-carbon cement and lime binders in manufacturing companies helps improve the environmental footprint of autoclaved aerated concrete products.
• Low-emission transport: Along the entire supply chain, the NetZero Roadmap emphasizes sustainability. The delivery of finished products is optimized for transport. This means we work with suppliers who offer low- or zero-emission transportation services – to the AAC factories, but also to construction sites.
• Switch to renewable energies: We aim to increase the share of renewable energy used to generate electricity in our factories, offices, retail spaces and other buildings to 100 percent.
• Optimizing production sites: We are reducing CO2 emissions in our AAC factories through improved process control and modernized plant equipment.
• Decarbonization of industrial processes: Both construction site assembly and the demolition and disposal of AAC products are to be converted by the companies responsible in such a way that less CO2 is released in the process or the release can be offset.
• Recarbonation: During its life cycle, AAC can absorb CO2 – and not a small amount. Naturally, cement-based products absorb CO2 from the atmosphere throughout their lifetime. From a building's use phase to its tear-down and product recycling, AAC absorbs up to 77 kilograms of CO2 per cubic meter.

You can find the entire roadmap here.

We are proud to be part of this initiative and are convinced: Together we can drive a climate-neutral Europe and strive hand in hand for an emission-free future.