Fly ash for the construction of the subway extension in Hamburg

Hamburg extends its subway line 4 – and our fly ash helps to reduce the CO2 footprint of this future-oriented mobility project! EP Power Minerals supplies a total of 10,000 tons of fly ash to the construction site.

The extension of the U4 subway line is one of Hamburg's prestige projects: Initially designed to connect the modern HafenCity with the adjacent city center, the line is now being extended to the east. An additional 1.9 kilometers of track with two lines are being added underground, along with the creation of two new stations. This expansion provides approximately 13,000 residents in the Horn district with direct access to the subway network. Construction began in 2021, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Better for the climate

A total of 10,000 tons of fly ash from EP Power Minerals are being used as a binding component in concrete—a climate-friendly decision that not only conserves natural resources but also reduces the generation of greenhouse gases. The production of cement and clinker is highly energy-intensive, leading to significant CO₂ emissions. Adding fly ash to concrete reduces the amount of required cement. Since fly ash is a mineral by-product already available, nearly no additional emissions are generated. The ecological footprint of the construction project is therefore measurably reduced.

A positive side effect: The addition of fly ash makes the concrete easier to work with, and its durability is improved.

Mobile mixing plant

A mobile concrete mixing plant is in operation on the U4 construction site. This ensures maximum flexibility in the construction project and saves time. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide emissions of the construction project are further reduced as the number of required concrete truck journeys is minimized. The distance from the mobile mixing plant on the construction site to the point of use is significantly shorter than the journey from an externally located stationary plant.

Additional Information on Fly Ash

How is fly ash produced? What qualities does it possess? And what can be done with it? You can find out more about these questions at "Fly Ash"

Picture: Frank Schwichtenberg, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0,> via Wikimedia Commons