For the fourth time, Heidelberg Cement is publishing a Group Sustainability Report focusing on a transparent presentation of the most significant topics relating to sustainability, in order to comply with the latest standards of reporting. New this year is that a selection of KPIs from the cement business line concerning occupational health & safety and environmental protection has been subjected to an independent auditor’s review. In doing so, the company increases data quality and likewise complies with the obligations of the Cement Sustainability Initiative of the WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development).

“Sustainability is a management responsibility and part of our corporate strategy," said Dr. Bernd Scheifele, chairman Heidelberg Cement. “By means of continuous reporting on our progress, we aim at making our business activities transparent and binding—so that all of our stakeholders can clearly see and understand the way in which we operate.”

Over the past two years, HeidelbergCement has accomplished continual improvements in the central pillars of its sustainability strategy, for instance: promotion of biodiversity in quarries, reduction of CO2 emissions and the use of alternative fuels. The company successfully increased the alternative fuels rate from 18.5% in 2008 to 20.5% in 2010. The goal for 2020 is to increase the rate to 30%.

Another industry-specific key issue is occupational health & safety, where HeidelbergCement made progress in reducing accident rates. Occupational safety will remain a central topic of the company’s sustainability strategy in the coming years.

A free copy of the Group Sustainability Report is available at: www.heidelbergcement.com/global/en/company/sustainability/index.htm.