Addressing representatives of Latvian employers at the Mission Zero event Linda Šedlere, Member of the Management Board of SCHWENK Latvija, the Director of HCM, Communication and H&S, emphasized that  the ambitious goal of Mission Zero is in the course of time to gather employers in Latvia that employ at least 50% of the working population, or 400,000 employees. L.Šedlere expressed that this would be a fantastic result in order to positively influence the overall change of society’s opinion, and it is also critically important, because we underestimate what we as an employer can provide to our employees in the field of culture change, awareness of values and work performance.

The existing 17 members and informative supporters of the initiative were joined by 14 employers who signed the Mission Zero Charter.

On 28 June the first Mission Zero Forum “A Healthy and Safe Work Culture towards Mission Zero – Utopia or Reality?” took place on the topic of building a safety culture, which has been identified as a major challenge by the employers involved in the initiative.

Linda Šedlere during the Summer Forum of the Mission Zero emphasized: “A public commitment to say “yes” to an increasingly safe work environment and a “no” to assumption that accidents are a matter of course is the next step in building a culture of safety and the opportunity to build a more cohesive society. Sometimes we underestimate the ability of employers to have a positive impact on both employees and partners, we are therefore proud of every company that is ready to acknowledge its challenges and commit itself to tackling them together with others to approach zero accidents at work and to ensure working conditions that are both mentally and physically healthy.”

You can read more about the initiative Mission Zero on the web site www.misijanulle.lv (www.missionzero.lv), as well as follow it on social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

We wish everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly! Happy Midsummer Day!

For the seventh year in a row, we are receiving the high rating of the Platinum category in the Latvian Sustainability Index. We are proud and grateful to every employee and partner of the company who implements the principles of sustainability on a daily basis! At the same time, we are committed to continuing our work, working with stakeholders to prove ourselves to higher standards.

On June 16, the Sustainability Code, developed by the Institute for Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (InCSR), was signed by the first 11 companies to commit the implementation of responsible and fair commercial practices.

On behalf of SCHWENK Latvija, the Sustainability Code was signed by JEGORS GOLUBEVS, Member of the Management Board, Director of the Materials Business Unit.

The signature of the Sustainability Code by SCHWENK Latvija is a natural step, as our commitment and attitude is reflected in our work and proactive actions. SCHWENK is a family business with a commitment to sustainable entrepreneurship throughout the value chain and in all areas of business for generations.
Read more about the Sustainability Code: https://www.incsr.eu/sakumlapa/ilgtspejas-kodekss/

On June 10, a cluster organisation connecting industrial companies and research and education institutions CLEANTECH LATVIA organized a discussion “Integration of a waste recovery plants into the urban environment: saving or degrading the environment?”, in which answers to questions about the integration of waste recovery plants in the urban environment were sought.

SANTA KĻAVA, Environment Department Manager, shared views of SCHWENK Latvija on the topic and  experience in implementing the principles of the circular economy.

At present, the cement plant in Brocēni uses approximately 160,000 to 200,000 tons of alternative fuels specially prepared for the plant each year. The alternative fuel is a mixture produced from sorted and specially prepared municipal and industrial waste – SRF (solid recovered fuel), shredded tires, neutralized contaminated soil, in the use of which SCHWENK Latvija was a partner in the Inčukalns acid tar ponds remediation project. They are prepared in accordance with the quality requirements required for the cement plant kiln – sorted, dried, crushed and mixed in the right proportions. This is already 98% of the total amount of fuel used in the Brocēni cement plant.

The use of alternative fuels in the SCHWENK Latvija cement-clinker kiln, where the temperature exceeds 1,500 degrees, differs significantly from simple incinerators, where energy is recovered by burning waste, but hazardous waste and ash remain, which requires additional management. In our cement-clinker kiln using alternative fuels, ash is a raw material, an essential component of the product produced. A completely closed production process is ensured and no residual products or waste are generated that should be managed.

Of the total amount of alternative fuel required for cement production, only 40,000 – 50,000 tons are produced in Latvia. The main problem is the high moisture content caused by poorly developed sorting practices. But there is also good news: the share of local material in our alternative fuels is growing every year. The plant is equipped with a special alternative fuel dryer, so it will be possible to use more local waste, using hot gas or heat generated during production process.

On May 30, Transparency International LATVIA  and the Corporate Social Responsibility Platform (CSR Latvia) launched the initiative “Zero Tolerance against Corruption”. By joining this initiative, companies undertake to implement and promote the principles of transparency, to carry out anti-corruption policies and implementation of procedures and making them public in the company and in the business environment as a whole.

SCHWENK Latvija was one of the first five companies to join this initiative.

Evita Goša, SCHWENK Latvija Board Member, Environmental and Legal Director, emphasizes that “for us, SCHWENK Latvija, anti-corruption policy is a matter of course – it applies to both managers and employees. In the context of the company, it is important to continue learning to recognize, respond to and report signs of dishonesty. It takes understanding and courage not to remain silent and to act. We encourage other companies also to join the initiative “Zero Tolerance against Corruption”, implement anti-corruption policy on a daily basis and share experience. Working together makes us better!”

As part of the URBACT iPlace project, which aims to create a dynamic environment for improving quality of life of people and promoting the local economy, delegations from nine cities from nine countries visited Saldus Municipality and also visited the Brocēni cement plant.

MĀRIS GRUZNIŅŠ, Member of the Management Board, Cement Sales and Logistics Director in the Baltic countries, introduced guests with the operations of company, cement production at the Brocēni Cement Plant, climate neutrality objectives, Mission Zero – ensuring zero accidents at work, collaboration and collaboration projects with local communities and partners.

Photo by Saldus Municipality

The project “Ripo droši” (Ride safe) was completed and a safe driving area was opened in the territory of Saldus Secondary School. The driving area provides children with the opportunity to acquire practical cycling skills, strengthening the theoretical knowledge acquired at school in the group where to study traffic rules. Thus, children are prepared for the exam to obtain the driving licence for a cyclist.

Cycling is an important stage in which the driver develops a sense of duty and responsibility for his or her behavior on the road, and respect for other road users.

The project has been implemented with the financial support of SCHWENK Latvija.

Photos by Sandra Daktere

On May 14, during the Museum Night, everyone was provided with the opportunity to spend a great evening at an event organized by SCHWENK Latvija – to find out why zero is put on the first place by SCHWENK Latvija and where to find it in cement production.

SCHWENK Latvija employees introduced the visitors with the materials obtained in the quarries of mineral materials, the process of cement production, environmental aspects and the topic of Health and Safety. Those present had the opportunity to visit the historical exposition, participate in laboratory experiments, see and board vehicles – RMX truck, damper and cement truck.

Together with the creative technical group RipoAuto of the Brocēni County Culture and Education Center, the children had the opportunity to create models of future cement trucks.

During the evening, almost 300 visitors went on a bus tour to the Brocēni cement plant. The host of the evening, DJ Ziggy, took care of the course and atmosphere of the event.

Photos by Andrejs Sergejevs

A unique project has been completed, in which joint efforts have succeeded in reconstructing the Āgenskalns market as a cultural monument of national significance. Concrete was delivered and poured on all three floors of the building, which complements, fits in and highlights the special aura of the building. More than 500 m3 of concrete has been used in the reconstruction of the building, and it is a real pleasure to see the new castings merge with the concrete that has supported the building since its inception.

Jegors Golubevs, Member of the Management Board of SCHWENK Latvija, Director of the Materials Business Unit emphasizes that support in the reconstruction of the Āgenskalns market is a unique project for our company, as the Āgenskalns market project team and SCHWENK Latvija share common values – understanding the significance of historical heritage and responsibility for its preservation. Among other things, the outcome of a large and complex project was vitally dependent on the competence and ability of the project team.