Reducing CO2 emissions is one of the most important challenges of our time. With our Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions reduction targets now approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), we have a clear roadmap in place for reducing our scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 42 percent by 2030 and our scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services by 25 percent (compared to 2021). But how will we achieve these goals? Let's take a closer look.

Energy efficient production and more renewable energies

The first goal of reducing our Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions will be achieved through increasingly energy-efficient production, increased use of renewable energy and the phasing out of coal in Xella's plants. In fact, our primary raw materials - cement, lime and sand - account for two thirds of our Scope 3 emissions. Reducing Scope 3 emissions can therefore only be achieved by deepening partnerships with our key suppliers, optimizing recipes and developing the circularity of our materials.

Five examples of how we reduce CO2 emissions.

1. Energy efficiency: we're improving technologies and processes with energy-efficient machinery, LED lighting and optimized workflows. We also run training programs to raise awareness among plant managers and enable our employees to adapt to these new technologies and processes.

At the Vuren (Netherlands) and Wieliszew (Poland) plants, Xella has successfully implemented the insulation of autoclave lid rings. This initiative has significantly reduced energy consumption and improved working conditions on site. The insulation minimizes heat loss during the production process and has yielded impressive results: these two projects have saved 671 tons of CO2.

2. Renewable energy: to sustainably reduce our CO2 emissions, it is important for us to integrate more and more renewable energy. We are installing PV systems on an increasing number of plants to directly generate electricity for large parts of the production process.

The solar power plant in Kisovec, a small community near Ljubljana in Slovenia, is one of our highlights in the use of solar energy. The plant had already made a name for itself, winning an environmental award in 2019 for the best production process with low energy and fresh water consumption. Since 2023, it has set new standards with its newly installed solar panels, generating around 600 MWh per year: 60 percent covers Kisovec's own energy needs, while the rest is fed into the regional electricity grid. Read more about it

3. Sourcing green energy: Xella sources green energy to reduce CO2e emissions. In 2023, sourcing electricity in Romania, Austria, Poland and partially Germany was based on green energy contracts or covered by green certificates.

4. Partnerships with our suppliers: we have developed a strategic approach that includes better understanding our suppliers' sustainability roadmaps. An early success for us was the effective transition from CEM I to CEM II cement, reducing CO2 emissions by 10 percent in a plant in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

5. Rethinking transportation: to reduce CO2 emissions, we are looking at different ways of transporting our products from plants to customers. For example, we are analyzing the feasibility of shifting deliveries from road to rail or from truck to ship. We have already achieved good results: read how we saved CO2 emissions shipping via Danube river.
 
These efforts to reduce our CO2 emissions are just the beginning. Learn more about our ESG strategy in our 2023 ESG Report.