Heidelberg Materials, formerly known as HeidelbergCement, is a leading global player in the construction materials industry, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany. Founded in 1874, the company has established a strong presence across Europe, North America, and Asia, specialising in the production of cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Heidelberg Materials offers unique products that meet the evolving needs of the construction sector. The company has achieved significant milestones, including advancements in eco-friendly materials and digital solutions for construction efficiency. As one of the largest building materials companies worldwide, Heidelberg Materials is recognised for its robust market position and dedication to quality, making it a trusted partner in infrastructure development.
How does Heidelberg Materials's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Cement Production industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Heidelberg Materials's score of 75 is higher than 86% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Heidelberg Materials reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 77 billion kg CO2e, comprising 61.1 billion kg CO2e from Scope 1, 4.2 billion kg CO2e from Scope 2, and 11.7 billion kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon footprint, committing to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. This commitment encompasses all scopes of emissions. For the near term, Heidelberg Materials aims to reduce its gross Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 26.7% per ton of cementitious material by 2030, using 2020 as the baseline year. Specifically, it targets a 24% reduction in Scope 1 emissions and a significant 65% reduction in Scope 2 emissions within the same timeframe. Additionally, the company plans to cut absolute Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services by 25% by 2030. Heidelberg Materials is also focused on improving its operational efficiency, with a goal to reduce specific net Scope 1 CO2 emissions to 400 kg per ton of cementitious material by 2030, representing a 24% decrease compared to 2020 levels. The company’s long-term strategy includes a 95% reduction in gross Scope 1 and 2 emissions per ton of cementitious material by 2050, alongside a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 3 emissions. These initiatives reflect Heidelberg Materials' commitment to sustainability and its alignment with science-based targets, ensuring that its operations contribute to limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 1990 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 82,600,000,000 | 000 | 000 | 000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 6,600,000,000 | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Heidelberg Materials's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 1% last year and decreased by approximately 59% since 2020, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 15% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Upstream Transportation & Distribution" being the primary emissions source at 38% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Heidelberg Materials has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.


Common questions about Heidelberg Materials's sustainability data and climate commitments