Together with the Federal Government, DB Group intends to invest heavily in the modernization of the rail infrastructure in the coming years. Due to the extremely extensive construction activities in particular, there is therefore very high demand for resources (especially for concrete ties, track ballast and rail steel), which can contribute to the depletion of certain primary raw materials (e.g. iron ore, basalt, sand). This impact is also associated with greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain, which we address as part of our net zero target. We are therefore planning to make greater use of low-emission building materials in the coming years. In this way, DB Group is combining its climate protection measures with circular economy strategies. In the downstream value chain, we work with waste disposal companies and processors to recycle our construction waste and reuse some of it as processed material in the infrastructure. Further information on waste management can be found under Output resource management.

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As part of the Group-wide efforts to operate more sustainably, the circular economy also plays an important role in DB Group’s resource output.

The “Circular economy and resource efficiency” technical guideline defines clear requirements and processes to ensure that materials that are no longer required are recycled and disposed of in a resource-conserving and legally compliant manner. The aim is to expand environmental benefits throughout the Group, to effectively utilize synergies and to ensure close cooperation within DB Group. The guideline thus makes a significant contribution to the continuous improvement of operational environmental protection and the implementation of binding standards within DB Group in Germany.