Business Forum • 26 September, 2024 at 8:58 AM
STRABAG SE, the publicly listed European technology group for construction services, celebrates 30 years of operations in Romania by reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and its “Work on Progress” campaign. This initiative aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 across the entire value chain through the implementation of digital, innovative and environmentally friendly solutions.
Given that approximately 38% of global CO2 emissions come from the construction sector, STRABAG has committed – together with external partners – to take on a leading role in the transformation of the construction industry. The company's decarbonization strategy focuses on using eco-friendly materials, optimizing resource efficiency and recyclability, and employing smart designs to minimize waste and reduce environmental effects. To drive this vision forward, the company is actively investing in more than 250 innovation projects and 400 sustainability initiatives.
The implementation of the “Work on Progress” campaign in Romania and the celebration of 30 years of local operations took place on Tuesday, September 24, at the Museum of New Arts (MINA). Guests embarked on an interactive and immersive journey through innovative technologies and solutions that are redefining the future of STRABAG and the construction industry.
"In an industry that often focuses only on tangible things - roads, buildings and infrastructure - STRABAG has always looked beyond. For STRABAG, the most important building elements are not concrete or steel, but its people. We are a company that understands the value of every individual, a company that supports diversity, inclusion and equality at every level. The people of STRABAG represent over 140 nations, embodying the company's ethos of global collaboration and local connection, and we are proud that Romanians and Romania are part of our journey," said Alfred Watzl, Member of the Board of Directors of STRABAG SE.
“During our 30 years on the Romanian market, it's our ability to adapt and innovate that sets us apart. Whether it's embracing new technologies, tackling complex projects, or finding the best ways to connect people and places, STRABAG has always been ready to take on any challenge,” added Patrick Hopfgartner, Managing Director STRABAG Romania.
The immersive projections showcased groundbreaking innovations, including ClAir® Asphalt – an advanced paving material that not only purifies the air but also minimizes noise – and low-carbon concrete, for which STRABAG employs binders with reduced clinker content to cut CO2 emissions by up to 50%. Attendees were also treated to a preview of the future of construction: a fully digitalized and automated construction site, showcasing how technology plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions.
The event also featured a special artistic performance by the CONCORDIA Children's Choir, an NGO with which STRABAG has a long-standing partnership. To further emphasize its commitment to the environment, STRABAG will plant a tree in the name of each event attendee, in collaboration with “Mai Mult Verde” NGO.
With 30 years of presence and approx. 2,000 employees in Romania, STRABAG has significantly contributed to the modernization of national infrastructure and the transformation of the urban landscape. Some of the key infrastructure projects completed by the company include sections of the A1 Motorway such as Orăștie-Sebeș and Orăștie-Deva, and parts of the A3 Motorway, such as Târgu Mureș-Ungheni, Ungheni-Ogra, and Chețani-Câmpia Turzii. In 2024, STRABAG completed a 19 km expressway linking the Transylvania Motorway (Biharia) to the Oradea Ring Road (Sântandrei) one month ahead of schedule. This marked the fourth early delivery of a major transport infrastructure project in recent years, following the Mogoșoaia overpass on the Bucharest Ring Road and the Ungheni-Târgu Mureș and Chețani-Câmpia Turzii sections of the Transylvania Motorway.
STRABAG has also delivered important railway infrastructure projects, such as the rehabilitation of the Vințu de Jos-Simeria railway line, as well as airport developments, including the expansion and modernization of Maramureș International Airport in Baia Mare, Transylvania Airport in Târgu Mureș, and the construction of the new Terminal T4 at Iași International Airport.
In the realm of civil construction, STRABAG's flagship projects include JW Marriott Grand, OPERA CENTER I and II, SKY TOWER, the ELI-NP Scientific Research Center in Măgurele, Parklake Mall, Promenada Mall, ANA TOWER, and the National Cathedral. Additionally, the company has made its mark on renewable energy, with wind farms such as Cernavodă I, Pantelimon, Casimcea, Topolog-Dorobanțu, and Moldova Nouă. Key water treatment plants in Târgoviște Sud, Satu Mare, and Făgăraș are also part of the company's portfolio locally.
The company stands out as one of the pioneers in implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) at the local level. Project visualization, drone scans of construction sites, machine control, and 3D modeling for technical coordination and quantity extraction have been some of the most common applications of the BIM process in STRABAG's projects. This technology has been crucial in minimizing errors, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring adherence to project timelines.