Interview with Lorenz Häuselmann

How did the partnership with neustark come about?

Beat Ammann, the longstanding former director of ARA Bern wastewater treatment plant, approached me about the topic of «carbonised concrete» and asked whether we could envisage working together in this area. I answered with great interest and a resounding «Yes, gladly».

What will the future look like in terms of sustainability in the construction industry, as well as in the transport industry?

I am very confident that public pressure (both official and societal) will remain high and will increase further to strongly drive processes and production methods that are as low_-carbon as possible in the near future.

To what extent will Salzmann AG Transporte integrate the topic of sustainability?

In 2023, our company will once again build a wooden depot and use concrete according to the neustark method for civil engineering (underground car park, ramp access and ground floor slab), as one of the first such structures in the Bern area. This is a given for us. We have procured a first CNG-powered articulated lorry fuelled 100% with biogas especially for our cooperation with neustark. We are thereby supporting the strategic thrust of neustark and its customers. We are constantly learning about the technologically and economically possible and practical alternative propulsion systems and have already tried out some of them (other CNG vehicles, battery electric vehicle (BEV) trucks, etc.). In 2023, we will receive another CNG articulated lorry for additional CO₂ transport on behalf of neustark.

What opportunities do you see in working with neustark?

As a smaller SME transport company, it is an opportunity for us to be involved in a new area from the outset. It will also enable us to expand on our existing strategy of occupying various, somewhat special niches.

To what extent do you and your company identify with the values of KIBECO and neustark?

We want to make our contribution to a post-net-zero Switzerland and are willing and able to bear the extensive investments required for this. Around one-and-a-half years ago, we moved into our new headquarters in Worb near Bern. It is a wooden depot with a large photovoltaic system on the roof from where we supply electricity to the RBS railway workshop (neighbouring the plot). For years, we have been working hard to modernise our fleet and test alternative propulsion concepts to find out whether they are suitable for everyday use within our company.

We would like to thank Mr Lorenz Häuselmann for the fascinating exchange.