In 2016, HeidelbergCement was able to reduce the accident frequency rate as well as the severity rate. "HeidelbergCement will continue to invest in trainings and awareness campaigns for occupational safety in order to reduce accidents to a minimum. Moreover, we will give the adherence to group-wide safety standards the highest priority," said Scheifele. Climate protection and the reduction of CO2 emissions remained another focus of sustainability management in 2016. For instance, specific net carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 22.6 percent (compared to 1990 levels) to 598 kg per metric ton of cement. This was partly due to a significant increase of the use of alternative fuels at a number of plants. "The numbers show that HeidelbergCement made progress in 2016," said Scheifele. "We aim to further decrease our CO2 emissions. Therefore, we are conducting intensive research in future-oriented technologies to use CO2 as a resource."