Heidelberg Materials has announced plans to permanently close its cement plant in Paderborn, Germany, citing a significant decline in cement sales due to weak construction demand in the country.
The decision forms part of the company’s ongoing optimisation of its European production network, as the building materials producer continues to adapt to changing market conditions and accelerate its transition toward lower-carbon cement products.
Weak construction demand drives closure
The slowdown in construction activity across Germany has led to reduced demand for cement, impacting several producers in the sector. As a result, Heidelberg Materials determined that continuing operations at the Paderborn facility is no longer economically viable.
The company is also realigning its cement portfolio toward low-carbon products, which are produced with reduced clinker content across multiple production sites. With these products now available nationwide, the Paderborn plant has lost its previous strategic importance within the group.
Impact on employees and workforce transition
The closure will affect 53 employees working at the plant.
Heidelberg Materials stated that it is working closely with the workers’ council to ensure socially responsible solutions for the affected staff. Measures under discussion include:
- Internal transfers to nearby Heidelberg Materials facilities
- Offering positions at neighbouring plants in Geseke and Ennigerloh
- Opportunities created through early retirement programmes
These steps aim to minimise job losses and support workforce transitions within the company’s German operations.
Other operations in Paderborn to continue
The closure will apply only to the cement production plant.
Other local operations will remain active, including:
- Activities of Heidelberg Materials’ subsidiary Mineralik at the Paderborn quarry
- The local ready-mixed concrete plant
These facilities will continue operating normally and serving regional customers.
Ternocem cement development to move elsewhere
The Paderborn plant operated the smallest rotary kiln within Heidelberg Materials Germany. Since 2022, the kiln had been used exclusively in trial operations to produce the company’s low-carbon cement product Ternocem®.
Ternocem is designed to deliver significantly lower CO₂ emissions compared with conventional Portland cement clinker, supporting the company’s sustainability goals.
Following the closure, further development and production of Ternocem will continue at another Heidelberg Materials facility.
Heidelberg Materials’ global operations
Headquartered in Heidelberg, Heidelberg Materials is one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of cement, aggregates and ready-mixed concrete.
The company employs around 50,000 people across nearly 50 countries and is focusing heavily on sustainability, digitalisation and low-carbon construction materials as part of its strategy to achieve Net Zero emissions in the construction industry.
