#Sustainability #Sweden #Södertälje #Scania #Weber Saint-Gobain

Scania Turns Used Sand into Eco-Friendly Mortar

In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, Scania has partnered with Weber Saint-Gobain to transform 20,000 tonnes of used foundry sand into mortar. This initiative, aimed for implementation in 2025, highlights their commitment to minimizing waste and promoting a circular economy within the construction materials industry.

Embracing Circularity for the Environment

Scania, a leader in sustainable transportation, emphasizes the importance of circular business models that reduce untreated waste and make full use of existing resources. By leveraging the surplus sand from its foundry, the company aims to prevent this material from ending up in landfills. The initiative not only conserves resources but also contributes to a significant reduction in the extraction of virgin materials which are limited and depleting.

Weber Saint-Gobain, known for its production of high-quality construction materials, has also actively sought alternatives to natural aggregates in recent years. The used sand from Scania represents a valuable substitute that can diminish their reliance on virgin sand, which constitutes a primary component in their production processes.

Logistics and Impact of the Initiative

The logistics behind this operation involve transporting the used sand over a distance of 150 kilometers from Scania's facility in Södertälje to Weber's plant in Vingåker. Expected to commence in 2025, the process will entail three fully loaded trucks making the journey daily, effectively integrating with return trips from Stockholm to minimize carbon emissions.

Fredrik Nilzén, Head of Sustainability at Scania, stated, "To be efficient with the limited resources we have on Earth and prolong their lifespan is a way to lessen the impact on the environment. Re-using the large amounts of sand that are used in the casting of engine components is one of many actions that enables Scania to remain in the lead of the transition to sustainable transports."

The impact shows immediate benefits as the partnership is set to reduce the demand for virgin sand by approximately 30%. Looking ahead, Weber Saint-Gobain aims to replace all virgin sand with sustainable aggregates by 2035, showcasing a long-term vision for environmentally friendly practices.

Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

Scania's history of collaboration with innovative enterprises points towards a future where sustainability is prioritized across industries. The cross-sector partnership allows both companies to share expertise and achieve common goals towards reducing environmental footprints.

Nilzén further added, "Our values are shared by many, and the opportunity to leverage each other's expertise to create a society that benefits everyone should not be missed."

Both Scania and Weber Saint-Gobain hold a forward-thinking perspective, hoping to inspire other companies to consider alternative materials and sustainable practices in their operations. The advent of this collaboration marks a critical step towards a greener construction industry, urging others to rethink waste and resource management strategies.

By turning sand that would otherwise go to waste into a valuable construction product, they are setting a precedent for how businesses can innovate to protect the planet.

Learn More

To dive deeper into this initiative and its implications for the environment and industry practices, watch the informative video shared by Scania. This collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when companies commit to sustainability and work together for a common cause.