wienerberger sets cornerstone for state-of-the-art concrete roof tile plant

• The CO2-neutral plant in Hejőpapi, Hungary, will set new standards across Europe by using state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 solutions
• Investment strengthens regional industrial development and enables higher quality standards in production 

Vienna – As the next step in its value-creating growth strategy, wienerberger is investing in the construction of a state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 production facility in Hejőpapi, Hungary, as a driving force for modern construction and sustainable living. In this facility, concrete roof tiles will be produced in a CO2-neutral and fully automated process, with human intervention only required for individual accessory solutions. In this way, wienerberger is consistently focusing on making work easier through innovation in the production area. The new plant also uses the most advanced digital technologies, for example to collect comprehensive data on the production process. This will enable rapid and targeted improvements in the ongoing production process in the future and thus an even higher quality standard overall. Following the setting of the cornerstone in April 2024, the start of production is scheduled for the second half of 2025.

Hungary has served for wienerberger as a regional production center for several European countries since the 1990s. The new concrete roofing tile plant will expand wienerberger's product segment and further strengthen Hungary's role, as Hejőpapi is centrally located, and the new one-hectare outdoor digital warehouse is ideally suited for supplying surrounding markets. This investment thus promotes economic activity across borders and supports industrial development in the entire region.

“It has always been wienerberger's ambition to improve people’s quality of life and set new standards for the construction industry, and as the pacesetter in our industry, we also want to take full advantage of digitalization. The investment, which is one of the most significant industrial investments in Hungary, will continue this tradition, making this CO2-neutral plant one of the most modern concrete roof tiles and related accessories such as ridge tiles, verge and vent tiles factories in Europe, as well as an important milestone for the company and the industrial development of the region. Thanks to our innovative strength, we have already designed numerous Industry 4.0 solutions like the new facility in Hejőpapi that enable sustainable building construction and benefit our customers, employees, and shareholders, as well as the generations coming after us“, says Heimo Scheuch, CEO of wienerberger.

The new plant with its CO2-neutral production process combines sustainability with cost-effectiveness by saving and reusing valuable resources. Digital monitoring enables continuous adjustments for more efficient use of raw materials, and in line with the circular economy, used water is filtered and reused. In order to save additional emissions, wienerberger relies on the most advanced technology in production throughout Europe, including the use of heat pumps instead of natural gas to heat drying chambers and buildings. The largely export-oriented plant will start operations in 2025 with an annual capacity of three million square meters, the equivalent of more than 300 football pitches.