HeidelbergCement has signed a permit agreement for the supply of district heating at the Leimen site. Cement production is one of the most energy-intensive processes in the building materials industry – with specific energy requirements of around 3,000 MJ/t clinker. District heating can partially replace fossil fuels in the production process and reduce the CO₂ balance, provided the heat source is renewable. This step could serve as a model for other plants, as the EU Taxonomy will significantly tighten the limit values for cement manufacturers from 2027 onwards.