Xella Srbija: Environmental Awareness Built into Every Block

Green, sustainable and energy efficient buildings, which are the only ones that we can respond to climate change with, cannot be built without green construction materials and products. In the local market, such innovative building systems have been offered for a number of years by Xella, whose mission is to contribute to the transformation of the construction industry toward sustainable building with its products, which can be fully recycled and even absorb CO2. Stevan Djukic, Country Sales Manager at Xella Srbija, talks about the advantages of the ecological Xella products and systems, their application in modern construction, as well as corporate responsibility, for the Real Estate magazine.

As the biggest producer of porous concrete and calcium silicate blocks, Xella is also a leader in the development of innovative and sustainable construction systems. How do your systems contribute to the decarbonization of the construction sector and where can they be implemented?

– Xella has been present in the Serbian market for over 17 years. It is part of the international Xella Group, a company with a long tradition, which is a world leader in the construction industry. We are aware of the fact that the construction industry is responsible for nearly 40% of the global CO2 emissions. Our mission is to change that and transform the image of the industry of building materials in Serbia. With our energy efficient solutions and production processes which save resources and reduce CO2, we want to show an example of good practice, as well as our dedication to fighting climate change.

We are proud of the extraordinary properties of our products, which can be fully recycled, and even absorb CO2. Produced based on natural mineral resources, non-flammable, resilient to the weather conditions, firm and durable, our materials are an ideal solution for the construction of energy efficient facilities, in line with the highest standards of modern and sustainable construction.

Which sustainable systems and products from your portfolio would you highlight as the most advanced ones and what are their advantages?

– At Xella, we consider sustainability an inevitable part of our corporate strategy and the way we see the future. In line with our vision, Xella’s products are energy efficient and natural materials.

With our brands Ytong, Silka and Multipor, the company fosters product sustainability for the duration of the life cycle, from the raw materials, production processes, to energy efficiency, which characterizes facilities built from Xella materials.

We especially highlight Multipor, the first Xella brand without a carbon footprint. The striving for zero CO2 emissions illustrates our environmental awareness, deeply woven into all the aspects of the company.

The range of Xella products is rounded out by Ytong and Silka blocks. Thanks to the extraordinary characteristics, such as top-quality thermal and sound insultation, fire-proof characteristics (A1 class), stability and durability, our blocks are a unique building solution.

All the aforementioned brands are part of the unique Xella construction system, designed to secure the most optimal solution for the construction of all types of facilities when it comes to energy saving, sound insulation and air quality in rooms.

Are sustainable building systems more expensive than traditional ones and how demanded are they in our market currently?

– The construction of various types of facilities requires thorough planning. Each detail can make a considerable difference in the quality, costs and deadlines of the construction. In the long term, such facilities are incomparably more cost-effective. Therefore, putting resources into sustainable building systems should be seen as an investment, not a cost. When it comes to façade walls, it should be noted that this is one of the rare positions that cannot be subsequently replaced, but only additionally improved. An inadequate choice of materials for the construction of façade walls can lead to far higher costs. That is why, in order to meet modern standards and have long-term profitable facilities, you need modern materials and advanced construction techniques. For that reason, investors, designers and contractors increasingly demand the implementation of tested and integral solutions for the construction of façade walls. The implementation of Xella systems contributes to modern, future-oriented construction.

Modern Xella products and system have found application in several prominent projects in Serbia. Can you cite some of them?

– In the local market, Xella has offered numerous innovative solutions and certainly set an example by raising standards in the construction industry. The advantages of Xella products have been recognized by some of the largest investment companies in the country. This is shown by a long list of facilities which are used as a reference, such as: Emerald Garden Residence, BW Metropolitan, BW Plot 21, Park 11, Cvijiceva Palace, Fruske terme, Ada Mall, TC Promenada, TC Galerija, and many others.

In addition to your products’ having a direct impact on a sustainable and energy efficient construction, your company has also set for itself very high ESG goals in order to reduce your environmental footprint in production and make your employees healthier and safer. What does your ESG strategy entail in the coming years?

– As a producer of ecological building and insulation materials, Xella places climate protection and environmental protection first. The company follows a clear strategy of CO2 reduction in the production process and continuously promotes awareness of a sustainable future.

The reduction of CO2 emissions is a challenge, both for us at Xella and for the entire construction industry. With our environmentally-friendly production processes, we strive to reduce the harmful impact of the production to a minimum, guided by the highest environmental and social standards.

One of the most important goals of Xella in Serbia is to be socially responsible in all aspects of its business operations. That is why, even with our extraordinary commercial success, sustainable construction, high product quality and care for the employees remain the priorities of Xella’s operations. In 2020, the renowned sustainability rating agency Sustainalytics rated Xella Group as the best in the industry when it comes to the realization of ESG goals.

Xella Srbija d.o.o. Vreoci

Xella Srbija

Stevan Đukić

energy efficient buildings

green buildings

sustainable buildings

sustainable construction

environmental awareness

porous concrete

calcium silicate blocks

decarbonization of construction sector

Multipor

Ytong

Silka

carbon footprint

environmental footprint

ESG