ÖBB experimenting with climate concrete

ÖBB has carried out a pilot project for the use of “climate concrete” in the construction of the railway station in Bregenz. The project involved five technical partners and was the first time that an Austrian railway company had used green concrete. It is reported by Railway Supply magazine with reference to RailTech.

‘Climate concrete’ differs from regular concrete in that cement is replaced by recycled what the industry calls technical carbon. This is a byproduct of combustion or thermal decomposition processes. It consists mainly of carbon. ÖBB used it for the technical building at the station in Bregenz, where 101 cubic metres was poured. The operator estimates CO2 savings of around 7,660 kilograms as a result.

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In the pilot project, ÖBB collaborated with local construction and engineering companies, as well as the Structural Research Institute, which analyzed various types of concrete months before pouring.

“I am pleased that through the cooperation with local companies we were able to make a small but important contribution towards climate neutrality of construction sites and I hope that that this contribution will be even greater in the future,” said project leader Harald Schreyer.

In Europe, there are many initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of rail infrastructure construction, from the use of battery-powered machinery and equipment to recycling of materials and the installation of green sleepers made from sulfur concrete or polymer.

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