Opening of the ThermoTeam plant

On July 17th, the future of waste utilization has begun: ThermoTeam - a joint venture of Saubermacher and Lafarge Perlmoser - has opened the largest plant for the production of alternative fuels worldwide. A glittering ceremony in Retznei, with more than 400 honorable guests was the beginning of a new era of waste utilization. A fashion parade showing clothes made of packaging material and fireworks were part of the well arranged program.


A milestone in the field of alternative waste utilization

In the ThermoTeam plant high-quality alternative fuels are produced from recyclable waste for the cement industry. The appropriate material is delivered by Saubermacher. For the cement works of Lafarge in Retznei and Mannersdorf in Austria, it is a milestone in the field of alternative waste utilization concepts.
It is the aim of Saubermacher and Lafarge to use alternative fuels instead of fossil fuels (such as imported coal) in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the long run.

Moreover, the use of alternative fuels leads to a cost reduction, more competitiveness and as a result it safeguards more than 100 jobs.


Innovation for the environment

The reduction of fossil fuels is an important contribution to the environment, even with regard to the Kyoto-aims and the climate server program of Lafarge within the framework of the partnership for environmental protection with the WWF aiming at a 20% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of their cement works till 2010.


Investment for the future

With regard to the new landfill directive becoming effective in 2004 it will be no longer possible to landfill recyclable waste. Therefore, the realization of the ThermoTeam plant is an important contribution to the discharge of Styrian landfills.
Mr. Peter Orisich, CEO of Lafarge Perlmooser AG, and Mr. Hans Roth, BOD of Saubermacher Dienstleistungs AG, are in complete agreement that this plant is a precursor in the field of innovative waste utilization.