Last Friday, Austria's first district heating-powered concrete mixing plant was officially inaugurated in Klagenfurt. By transitioning to district heating as an energy source, Alpacem will reduce its annual CO2 emissions by 40 t, making a significant contribution toward CO2-neutral production.
The ceremonial groundbreaking took place just last May. The Alpacem concrete mixing plant is now complete and operational. It is not only the most modern but also the most environmentally friendly of its kind. The new technology allows for the use of recycled aggregates and new cement types, facilitating the production of low-CO2 concrete. The new concrete mixing plant will include a larger batch mixer for more efficient production and about 25% more storage capacity for recycled aggregates and low-CO2 cements. To best prepare leftover concrete for reuse, the recycling facility on-site has also been renewed. The new Alpacem concrete mixing plant is connected to the district heating network, saving Alpacem 40 t of CO2 annually.
“Modern technology allows us to continuously reduce CO2 emissions and gradually approach CO2-neutral production. Alpacem is aware of its responsibility to future generations, the environment, and the region. We aim for CO2 neutrality by 2035 and are therefore strategically investing in the use and development of new technologies to contribute to environmental protection. The new concrete mixing plant in Klagenfurt once again demonstrates what is possible through new technology,” said Alpacem Managing Director Lutz Weber.
“We have invested around 3 million euros in our Klagenfurt site and are now able to offer our customers low-CO2 concrete. I would like to thank all our colleagues and project partners who made this project possible,” said Alpacem Concrete Managing Director Anita Ebenwaldner-Abuja.
The concrete mixing plant will be supplied with sand and gravel from Alpacem locations in Grafenstein and Replach, as well as cements from the Alpacem cement plant in Wietersdorf. The concrete produced in Klagenfurt will be used within a radius of approximately 30 km for infrastructure projects, commercial enterprises, and private housing. Thus, ready-mixed concrete is a regional product with short transport distances in both production and application.
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