Wienerberger AG: Wienerberger invests in innovative production facilities in Austria

Vienna (pta026/24.09.2013/12:30 UTC+2) Construction of the Wienerberger Group's most modern production facility in Haiding, Upper Austria
- Opening ceremony with Governor Pühringer
- Top product in clay block family - a high thermal insulating clay block filled with mineral wool - is now 100% Made in Austria
- Innovative products by Wienerberger make an important contribution to climate protection and represent the future of construction

Wienerberger AG has completed the construction of a new production facility in Haiding, Upper Austria, and underscores its commitment to its Austrian home market with this investment. In Haiding, this world market leader will produce the top product in Wienerberger's clay block family, the Porotherm W.i. "W.i." stands for "with thermal insulation", which means the insulating material - natural mineral wool - is already integrated in the clay block. Additional exterior insulation is therefore unnecessary, which saves construction time and costs. This clay block is a Wienerberger innovation as well as a trend-setting building material for energy-efficient construction.

Buildings made of these innovative clay blocks make an important contribution to climate protection and also offer a high quality of living
Heimo Scheuch, Chief Executive Officer of Wienerberger AG, underscores the product's innovative strength: "Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of the energy consumption in Europe. Climate change, urbanization, affordable housing and resource conservation represent major challenges for all of us. Wienerberger is working continuously to develop new products and solutions to meet these challenges. Our innovative, high thermal insulating clay block represents the future of construction: it can be used to construct buildings that already today meet the strict requirements of the European Union's directive on the energy efficiency of buildings in 2020 and, based on the special properties of clay blocks, also create a pleasant, healthy atmosphere and offer top living quality. Buildings made of these high thermal insulating clay blocks help to achieve a significant reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions and, in this way, make an important contribution to climate protection."

New production brings 100% added value in Austria
The Haiding facility is the most modern of its type in the Wienerberger Group. For Wienerberger, which is present in 30 European countries as well as the USA and India, Austria remains a key market: last year the Group generated revenues of 148 million Euro with roughly 900 employees in its home market. Heimo Scheuch emphasized: "Our goal is to continue to serve as an economic stimulus for the Austrian economy and to retain and strengthen our local and regional structures. With this investment, our Porotherm W.i. will symbolize 100% added value in Austria because the raw materials used to produce the clay blocks also come from the region."

Governor Pühringer underscores the economic importance of the production sector in Austria
The Haiding production facility was formally opened today by the Upper Austrian governor, Josef Pühringer. In his opening speech, Mr. Pühringer highlighted the importance of Austria's industrial sector as a technology leader: "Upper Austria has a strong industrial base and therefore, the production sector will also play a decisive role in this region over the coming years. We do not intend to repeat the mistakes made by other European countries that have allowed creeping de-industrialization to take hold. We are well aware of the high economic importance of the production sector, and we want to retain this position. Investments like this are therefore very welcome. Wienerberger is making an important contribution to energy efficiency and resource conservation with the Haiding plant. Especially in this area, we can see the development of future markets. The global market volume for environmental and efficiency technology is currently estimated at 1.7 billion Euro and will double over the next ten years. The companies that invest in these areas will be technology leaders not only today, but also tomorrow."

New clay blocks ideally suited for single family houses as well as apartments and offices in urban areas
The new clay block is produced in six different wall thicknesses from 20 to 50 cm, which are perfectly suited for private housing construction as well as multi-story residential and commercial buildings. The fully automated filling line has an output of up to 900 clay blocks per hour. That means: the clay blocks for an entire single family house can be filled in only three hours. Heimo Scheuch added: "This new clay block generation is well-suited for a variety of applications: for low-energy, passive and sun houses, in single-family housing construction as well as multi-story, urban residential and commercial buildings. I see this as significant progress, also for urban areas, because the people who live in city apartment buildings also have a right to high quality living that is combined with a good conscience and affordability. A building made of Porotherm W.i. clay blocks can make all that possible."

Wienerberger Group
Wienerberger is the world's largest producer of bricks (Porotherm, Terca) as well as number one on the clay roof tile market in Europe (Koramic, Tondach) in Europe and on the concrete paver market (Semmelrock) in Central-East Europe. In pipe systems (Steinzeug-Keramo ceramic pipes and Pipelife plastic pipes), the company is one of the leading suppliers in Europe. With 216 plants, Wienerberger generated revenues of 2,356 million Euro and operating EBITDA of 246 million Euro in 2012. In May 2012 Wienerberger finalized the full takeover of Pipelife and set a further milestone in the expansion of the core business and the development of the Group.

For additional information contact:
Barbara Braunöck, Head of Corporate Communications
T +43 1 60192-10221 | communication@wienerberger.com

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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 http://www.wienerberger.com/investor-relations/the-wienerberger-share/the-wienerberger-share/shareholder-structure

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Emitter:	Wienerberger AG Wienerbergstraße 11 1100 Wien Austria
Contact Person:	Barbara Braunöck
Phone:	+43 1 60192 10221
E-Mail:	communication@wienerberger.com
Website:	www.wienerberger.com
ISIN(s):	AT0000831706 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Trade)