Wienerberger AG: Wienerberger successfully continues sustainability strategy

Wien (pta011/27.06.2019/07:30 UTC+2) 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," says Heimo Scheuch, Chairman of the Managing Board of Wienerberger AG, underlining the company's clear commitment to sustainable supplier management.

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," explains Scheuch.

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 under https://wienerberger.com/en/download/sustainability-report-2018.pdf; printed copies can be ordered via the same website: https://wienerberger.com/en/order-report-mailing.

Wienerberger Group
Wienerberger is the world's largest producer of bricks (Porotherm, Terca) and the market leader in clay roof tiles (Koramic, Tondach) in Europe as well as concrete pavers (Semmelrock) in Central and Eastern Europe. In pipe systems (Steinzeug-Keramo ceramic pipes and Pipelife plastic pipes), the company is one of the leading suppliers in Europe. With its total of 195 production sites, the Wienerberger Group generated revenues of Eur 3.3 billion and EBITDA of Eur 470 million in 2018
von 470 Mio. Eur.

Further enquiry note
Barbara Grohs, Head of Corporate Communications Wienerberger AG
t +43 664 828 31 39 | Barbara.Grohs@wienerberger.com

Wienerberger AG is a pure free float company, whereby the majority of shares are held by Austrian and international institutional investors. Additional information on the shareholder structure is provided under https://wienerberger.com/en/investors/share

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Emitter:	Wienerberger AG Wienerbergstraße 11 1100 Wien Austria
Contact Person:	Barbara Grohs, Head of Corporate Communications
Phone:	+43 664 828 31 39
E-Mail:	barbara.grohs@wienerberger.com
Website:	www.wienerberger.com
ISIN(s):	AT0000831706 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Trade)