Annual Report 2025 – ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG

ÖBB-Infrastruktur Aktiengesellschaft Group Management Report | Consolidated Financial Statements 86 Optimising resource use and resource productivity should promote a shift away from the use of primary raw materials. Resource use is to be optimised by increasing the use of secondary raw materials wherever possible and by further promoting demand-oriented construction. However, extending the service life of existing infrastructure by way of demand and life-cycle-oriented maintenance also makes a significant contribution to saving primary resources and improving resource productivity. Optimising existing resources within the company’s own value chain, but above all beyond its own boundaries, to make the best possible contribution to sustainability aspects, is an integral part of this. ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG focuses on providing safe and resilient railway infrastructure to enable the mobility transition and far-reaching resource efficiency in the economy by way of rail transport. Sustainable procurement is another key component in promoting the circular economy for the ÖBB-Infrastruktur Group. Various practices are used, such as the application of a predefined set of sustainability criteria depending on practicability, greenhouse gas emissions assessment and improved data collection along the supply chain. In addition, sustainable procurement helps to reduce pollutants and the associated potential environmental impact. This improves the reusability and recyclability of products and materials, thereby making a further contribution to the circular economy. With regard to the contributions identified in the “Categorisation System for Circular Economy” guidelines, ÖBB- Infrastruktur Group's business activities and the contributions described above contribute in particular to the so-called R principles of the circular economy R4-R10 (see graphic below). The designation “R” refers to the English designations of the individual stages, which all begin with “R” and are not directly related to other uses such as the recycling methods specified in the Waste Management 41 Act (Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz). In addition to R4-R10, the R3 principle (reduce), which is characterised by increased efficiency in production and use, is also relevant, as is the promotion of rethinking (R2) within and outside the company. Due to the mass flows involved in construction, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG is a very relevant input provider for the downstream value chain and thus also indirectly promotes recycling (R9). This supports the waste hierarchy, especially at its higher levels, prevention and preparation for reuse. The following diagram illustrates the significant contribution of the strategic priorities in the overall context of the R principles of the circular economy and the link with the national circular economy strategy. 4 1 https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20002086.