Diesel engines and natural resources for building materials: the construction industry's environmental footprint is undeniable. But the Zeppelin CSR Week 2024 was all about the fact that it doesn't have to stay that way. Together with Zeppelin COO Fred Cordes and Dieter Schnittjer, Managing Director of VDBUM*, we discussed what is needed for a sustainable transformation of the construction industry.

The type of drive used in a construction machine plays an important role. Fred Cordes and Dieter Schnittjer agree that electrified machines are not a panacea at the moment. In order to reduce CO2 emissions, alternative fuels such as HVO are also very important. This is nothing new to us. The construction industry has been working with alternative fuels for 20 years,' says Dieter Schnittjer, highlighting the industry's experience. Fred Cordes stressed that companies like Zeppelin are committed to sustainability, but also to the profitability of their customers. According to Fred Cordes, both have to be balanced.

Fred Cordes and Dieter Schnittjer also cited the targeted use of data as a key factor. This contributes significantly to making processes in the construction industry more efficient and therefore more sustainable. Digitalisation also has the potential to improve health and safety in the construction industry. For example, systems are being used to automatically detect whether or not workers are wearing helmets on site.

* German Construction Industry, Environment and Machinery Association