SCHWENK launches Environmental Impact Assessment and holds public consultation

SCHWENK Latvija, the only cement producer and the leading building materials manufacturer in Latvia, has launched an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the implementation of its carbon capture project. The company plans to become the first industrial manufacturer in Latvia to capture approximately 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually from its production process as of 2032 using innovative carbon capture technologies. To introduce local residents to the project and address their questions, an initial public consultation will be held in Brocēni on 8 September 2026. 

Cement production accounts for approximately 5% of Latvia’s carbon emissions, which is why SCHWENK Latvija is actively working to reduce the environmental footprint of cement manufacturing. Investments in plant construction, the use of best available technologies, and continuous process improvements over the past 16 years have enabled the company to reduce emissions by approximately 37%. However, SCHWENK Latvija’s goal is to reduce emissions to net zero. 

“Our priorities remain unchanged: developing sustainable solutions for future generations and steadily advancing towards climate-neutral cement production. The introduction of carbon capture technologies at the Brocēni cement plant will significantly reduce the industry’s impact on the climate while strengthening our competitiveness in the Northern European market. This project also creates new opportunities for innovation, investment attraction, and the growth of sustainable industry in the Saldus region, Latvia, and across the Baltic States,” emphasizes Reinhold Schneider, Chairman of the Management Board of SCHWENK Latvija and CEO of SCHWENK Northern Europe. 

Last year, SCHWENK Latvija opened a carbon capture test facility at its Brocēni cement plant and began testing carbon capture technologies to identify the most effective solution for the planned permanent carbon capture installation. The next important milestone has now been reached with the initiation of the EIA process, based on comprehensive research, expert analysis, supervision by the State Environmental Service, and public participation. 

The EIA is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. During the process, the potential environmental, public health, and local area impacts of the construction and operation of the planned carbon capture and liquefaction facility will be assessed. The aim is to identify potential risks and impacts and determine the measures required to mitigate them. The assessment will be carried out by Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment (ELLE), a company with extensive experience in environmental assessments. 

An important part of the process will also be the initial public consultation meeting, which will take place on 8 September at 18:00 at the Brocēni Culture Centre (10 Lielcieceres Street, Brocēni). Residents and other interested parties are invited to learn about the project, ask questions, and express their views. To enable parents with children to attend, practical workshops for children and young people will be organised by the Laboratorium Science School, alongside the project presentation, and childcare services will be available for younger children. 

The meeting will also be accessible online. The meeting link will be published before the event on https://environment.lv/ under the “Aktualitātes” (News) section. 

Access to project materials: 

Information materials regarding the proposed activity are available: 

• In printed form at the Customer Information Centre of the Brocēni City and Ciecere Parish Joint Administration, 3 Lielcieceres Street, Brocēni, Saldus Municipality; 

• On the Saldus Municipality website: https://www.saldus.lv/; 

• On the website of the EIA report developer, Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment (ELLE): https://environment.lv/ under the “Aktualitātes” section. 

Written proposals and opinions regarding the proposed activity may be submitted to the State Environmental Service until 14 September 2026 (postal address: 23 Rūpniecības Street, Riga, LV-1045; e-mail: pasts@vvd.gov.lv; telephone: +371 67084200). 

SCHWENK Latvija is the first industrial company in Latvia to begin testing carbon capture technologies and equipment. Decarbonisation measures at the Brocēni cement plant have been underway since 2020, including feasibility studies and comparisons of available technologies conducted under the guidance of various international experts. Equipment and technology testing is planned to continue until the second half of 2027, while the final investment decision is expected in 2028. 

About SCHWENK Latvija 

SCHWENK Latvija is a leading building materials manufacturer in Latvia, providing customers with high-quality cement, concrete, and aggregates. Production takes place at Latvia’s only cement plant, located in Brocēni and recognized as one of the most modern cement plants in Europe, as well as at five concrete production facilities and several aggregate quarries across Latvia. The company is part of the German SCHWENK Building Materials Group and employs approximately 360 people in Latvia. 

For additional information:
Janīna Tauriņa
SCHWENK Latvija Communication Manager
+371 26706361, janina.taurina@schwenk.com