Rohrdorfer Cement Works reduce carbon emissions through rail transport

The production of cement requires numerous raw materials that have to be delivered to the plant on a regular basis. In the case of the Hatschek cement works in Gmunden, for example, this is limestone from the Ebensee quarry or blast furnace slag from the steelworks in Linz. In the Rohrdorfer cement plant, for example, blast furnace slag is delivered by rail. For many decades, the two Rohrdorfer cement works in Gmunden and Rohrdorf have relied on deliveries by rail. In cooperation with the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, rail transport has once again increased significantly over the past six years, thereby significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. A current comparative calculation by the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group showed that from January to December 2021 in Gmunden 1350 t and in Rohrdorf 4150 tons less CO₂ were generated than when raw materials were transported by truck. In total, this results in savings of 5500 tons of CO₂.

Positive effect on traffic volume

In addition to this direct reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, the increased rail transport also means a relief for road traffic in the vicinity of the plants. Between January and October 2021, around 1.3 million t of material were transported by rail instead of by truck. This saved a total of 50 000 truck journeys. Another positive development is that due to the more efficient utilisation, fewer trains have to run. In Austria, every fifth freight train can be eliminated because 20% more cargo is transported on each journey.

Rail transport with electricity from renewable energies

According to the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, the freight trains that deliver materials to Gmunden in Austria have been running on 100% electricity from renewable energy sources since 2018. This has been the case in Rohrdorf, Bavaria, since 2021. "Thanks to rail transport with renewable energies, CO₂ emissions are not simply diverted, but actually prevented," says Anton Bartinger, Authorised Signatory and Technical Manager of the cement division at Rohrdorfer. "We are very pleased to have found a reliable partner in the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group who will support us in our goal of producing climate-neutral cement by 2050."

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/04042022/rohrdorfer-cement-works-reduce-carbon-emissions-through-rail-transport/