HeidelbergCement Technology Center
On 26 October 2016, HeidelbergCement celebrated the inauguration of its new laboratory and office building at the HeidelbergCement Technology Center (HTC) in Leimen, Germany. The new building provides space for the expansion of research activities – particularly in the laboratory research. Overall, 190 workspaces will be housed in 7,200 square meters of offices and labs.
HTC brings together the Group's central engineering and R&D units focusing on cement, process technology, and operational efficiency. The research activities focus, among other things, on the development of alternative binders that do not necessarily require conventional clinker. Belite-Calciumsulfoaluminate-Ternesite (BCT) cement is one promising concept, which generates up to 30 percent less carbon dioxide during manufacturing than normal Portland cement clinker.
The new research center plays an important role within HeidelbergCement. The new building, which was built and ready in only 15 months, is to be a place of creativity. This is reflected in the great value placed on designing an atmosphere that promotes communication and new ideas.
The construction plans were designed to not only use HeidelbergCements own products, but to showcase them as well. For instance, the exposed concrete facing of the exterior is made using the companies own concrete. Inside, an architecture that highlights the HeidelbergCement products has been created: raw concrete ceilings, which will serve to heat and cool office areas using concrete core activation technology. The entrance area and other public spaces also feature exposed concrete elements.
The new building's design is decidedly modern, not only in terms of its technical infrastructure and architectural character, but also when it comes to the all-important factor of sustainability.
Sustainable performance
- Certification/Ratings: DGNB Gold
- Environmental quality:
- Energy efficiency: application of Thermally Activated Building Structure (TAB) system
- Renewable energy: usage of district heating (fed with CHP) and waste heat recovery from the ventilation system
- Technical quality: the supporting structure consists of a maintenance-free reinforced concrete skeleton construction. The cement based sandwich façade reaches a transmittance of 0,13 Wm2/k. The entrance area and public areas are exposed to visible concrete. Concrete ceilings in the office areas are heated with a concrete core activation near the surface.
