The European building materials market is currently characterised by significant challenges, including rising construction and raw material costs, uncertain supply chains, and increased demands for sustainability and resource conservation. In this context, STRABAG has decided to unify its extensive activities in the building materials segment under the newly created umbrella brand roxit.
The strategic decision to introduce roxit as a consolidating brand aims to integrate the company's various specialised units. This encompasses a broad range of services, from specialised road construction work such as jointing and milling, to the production of concrete and mineral building and insulation materials, as well as comprehensive recycling solutions. Mr Stefan Kratochwill, CEO of STRABAG, stated that with roxit, the company aims to be a reliable partner across central areas of the material cycle, from raw material extraction, processing and refinement, to recycling and the use of recycled materials.
International Presence and Operational Capacities
The operational structure of STRABAG's roxit building materials organisation extends across twelve countries and includes more than 300 locations. Additionally, the company is involved in international project business. Approximately 3,000 employees work within this structure, including in 116 concrete mixing plants, over 70 quarries, 17 sand or gravel pits, and a dozen bitumen emulsion and PMB plants. The annual production capacity amounts to approximately 3 million cubic metres of concrete and 24 million tonnes of stone/gravel.
Mr Leopold Leonhartsberger, Commercial Divisional Head at roxit, emphasised that the company's broad positioning enables predictable and reliable provision of building materials. He highlighted that the interplay between the company's in-house network, industrial performance, and regional roots ensures that building materials are available where they are needed, even under demanding market conditions.
Focus on Resource Conservation and Innovation
A central aspect of roxit's new brand strategy lies in resource conservation, the reduction of CO2 emissions, and the increased use of renewable raw materials. The company relies on tried-and-tested solutions that have been established in ongoing operations. These include alternative drive technologies, new recycling methods, and pilot projects for CO2-reduced concretes.
- —Reorganisation of processes in quarries, for example by using conveyor belts for energy generation.
- —Increasing operation of plants with self-generated solar power.
- —Conversion of diesel-powered equipment to electric and more climate-friendly fuels.
- —Testing new drive technologies for heavy equipment such as lorries and wheel loaders using green hydrogen in quarries.
In Vienna, innovative approaches are also being pursued in the so-called Real Lab for Sustainable Construction. There, alternative building materials such as hemp, sheep's wool, clay, or recycled materials are tested under real conditions and further developed for potential widespread use. This underscores roxit's commitment to sustainable construction methods and the continuous search for environmentally friendly material solutions.
