Press Release

Wienerberger successfully continues sustainability strategy

27. June 2019

Innovative products generated almost one third of revenues in 2018
Energy efficiency and occupational safety further improved
Targets for recycled material in plastic pipe production already exceeded
Roll-out of sustainability standards for supplier management

In 2018, the Wienerberger Group continued the vigorous implementation of its sustainability strategy and made significant progress toward realizing its Sustainability Roadmap 2020. For example, in 2019 Wienerberger began implementing a group-wide Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that its suppliers meet international sustainability standards. Compliance with such standards will then be verified through audits. The intention is to have suppliers incorporate sustainability standards into their daily operations, as is already the case at Wienerberger. In preparation for the roll-out, employees underwent targeted training organized by an external certification body in 2018, which will enable them to audit our suppliers as of 2019.

The Wienerberger success story began 200 years ago and we have always felt a responsibility for generations to come. Today we scrutinize those we do business with more critically than ever, challenging our partners to take responsibility as well.

Heimo Scheuch

CEO

In the course of implementing the Sustainability Roadmap 2020, Wienerberger made positive strides in the fields of innovation and resource efficiency in 2018. Innovative products accounted for almost one third of Wienerberger’s revenues in 2018, and in most business areas the percentages of revenues generated by innovative products far outstripped the specific targets.

With our product solutions, we seek to improve people’s quality of life and, at the same time, make a contribution to environmental protection. The purpose of innovation is to help us combine these two goals. One example is our high-performance thermal insulation wall systems made from mineral raw materials. They deliver excellent energy efficiency while providing a high level of comfort and are also fireproof. The fact that today almost one out of three euros of our revenues was generated through innovative products underlines our innovation leadership.

Heimo Scheuch

CEO

Substantial progress was also achieved in terms of resource efficiency. With the aim of achieving a sustainable circular economy, Wienerberger is increasingly using recycled materials. In plastic pipe production, the 2020 target of 75 kg per ton of products produced was more than met ahead of schedule in 2018. However, rather than resting on its laurels, Wienerberger has set itself a new ambitious target of 85 kg per ton by 2020.

Energy efficiency was also improved. Despite higher production quantities, Wienerberger reduced specific energy consumption at the brick production facilities in Europe by more than 13 percent compared to 2010. Wienerberger is pulling out all the stops to meet the reduction target of 20 percent by 2020.

In 2018, Wienerberger made improvements in the field of occupational safety and the health of its employees and cut accident frequency by another 6 percent compared to the previous year. Overall, accident frequency has been slashed by 75 percent since 2010. Wienerberger continues to relentlessly pursue the zero accident target.

Wienerberger’s 2018 Sustainability Report, which was published today under the title of “Building for People”, provides comprehensive information on the company’s sustainability strategy and the progress achieved. It was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Standards: Core option. It is available as a pdf; printed copies can be ordered via our website.