Heidelberg completes carbon neutral project

Construction of a new cycle path in the Netherlands by Heidelberg Cement subsidiary ENCI marks completion of the group’s first carbon neutral concrete project. The path at ENCI’s cement plant in Maastricht was officially opened last month and CO2 emissions associated with the construction were neutralised by the CO2 credits.

The path is part of a redevelopment plan for the quarry at the Maastricht cement plant. The concrete used for the path is 100% recyclable, and after being broken up it can be used as a replacement for primary sand and gravel.

ENCI and Heidelberg worked with contractor KWS Infra to calculate the carbon footprint of the scheme and had the values externally validated. This footprint relates to the CO2 released during production, transport and processing of all building materials. International emission reduction credits from a wind energy project in India have been purchased to offset the calculated footprint of the cycle path.