PPN 06/21 carbon reduction plan

Heidelberg Materials UK is committed to fulfilling our share of the global responsibility to keep the rise in worldwide temperature well below 1.5⁰C.

Our route to decarbonisation has been ongoing for many years and we have made significant headway. We have already reduced our CO₂ emissions in the UK by 50% since 1990, bringing us considerably closer to our goal of becoming net-zero by 2050 at the latest. 

In 2022 the Heidelberg Materials Group announced new targets to accelerate our journey towards net zero carbon by 2050. By 2030, we aim to: 

• Cut CO₂ emissions to 400kg per tonne of cementitious products.
• Generate 50% of gross revenue from low-carbon and circular products and solutions.
• Offer circular alternatives for half of our concrete products. 

To reach net zero carbon by 2050, we are involved in several industry-leading carbon reduction projects. These include carbon capture and storage at our Padeswood cement plant planned to be in operation by 2028 – and a successful world-first net zero carbon fuel mix trial at our Ribblesdale plant in 2021. We have also trialled a novel carbon capture solvent at our Ketton cement works in 2024 and have a hydrogen demonstration project planned for our Criggion asphalt plant in 2025.

Effective management of our CO₂ emissions is of key importance to us. Our long-term success depends on sustainable business practices and the UK executive team has given its full backing by launching a dedicated carbon working group, which includes a carbon innovation manager to ensure that continuous CO₂ emission reductions are achieved. 

In September 2023, Heidelberg Materials UK achieved certification to PAS 2080, the carbon management standard for buildings and infrastructure, which we operate in accordance with.