- The brickworks in Berca, Romania, has been converted into a highly efficient, state-of-the-art facility with reduced resource consumption and significant CO2 savings
- The products and solutions manufactured in Berca are essential for the construction of net-zero buildings
As one of many current investments in the comprehensive greening of its entire global value chain, wienerberger, the leading provider of innovative solutions for the entire building envelope, has completely modernized its brick plant in Berca, Romania, over the last eight months. Sustainability was the focus of this investment, and the plant meets the highest standards of efficiency and environmental compatibility. Equipped with the latest technology, it increases production efficiency while reducing resource consumption. In addition, carbon emissions have been reduced by around 4,000 tons per year through a new drying process. The plant was officially reopened on September 16.
Wienerberger has been present in Romania since 1998 and is one of the largest building materials producers in the country. With Berca, the company now operates a total of seven production sites in the country and employs a total of around 550 people. The plant is located near Bucharest, a city with strong construction activity and high demand for products with which Wienerberger supports the development of net-zero buildings.
Step towards sustainability and climate neutrality
Heimo Scheuch, CEO of wienerberger, says: “The Romanian market is of great importance to us. That is why I am particularly pleased that we are opening our next state-of-the-art and ecological plant in Berca. This step not only strengthens the regional economy, it also means we are consistently continuing our path towards resource-saving and sustainable production. With these and other innovative solutions, we will achieve climate neutrality along the entire value chain by 2050.”
As a competence center for sustainable production, the brickworks in Berca is continuously being developed with new technologies. This makes the plant an essential part of wienerberger’s overall sustainability strategy. As part of its own sustainability program, wienerberger is pursuing ambitious goals. With a focus on decarbonization, circular economy, biodiversity and other areas, the company is setting an example for a sustainable and livable future for future generations and thus supports the European Green Deal. The program’s goals are updated every three years, most recently in 2023. By 2026, the company will, among other things, reduce its emissions in production by 25% and increase the proportion of recyclable or reusable products sold to over 90%. In addition, 75% of total sales are to be generated by then with products for the construction of net-zero buildings with a neutral carbon footprint. This makes wienerberger a leading driver for a sustainable construction industry.
The reopening ceremony was attended by the Romanian Minister of Investments and European Funds, Adrian Câciu, the Romanian Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Ștefan Radu Oprea, local and central authorities, key business partners and members of the local and national press.
wienerberger
wienerberger is a leading provider of innovative, ecological solutions for the entire building envelope in the areas of new construction and renovation as well as for infrastructure in water and energy management. With more than 20,000 employees worldwide, wienerberger enables energy-efficient, healthy, climate-friendly and affordable living with its solutions. wienerberger is the largest brick producer in the world and the market leader for clay roof tiles in Europe and for concrete pavers in Eastern Europe. The company is one of the leading suppliers in Europe for pipe systems (vitrified clay and plastic pipes) and one of the leading suppliers in North America for facade products. At the beginning of 2024, wienerberger successfully completed the acquisition of Terreal, making it the leading European provider of innovative complete roof and solar solutions as well as solutions for the entire building envelope in Europe and North America. With more than 200 production sites across the Group, wienerberger generated sales of around Ꞓ4.2 billion and an operating EBITDA of Ꞓ811 million in 2023.
