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Tag: Holcim

  • Holcim and Amazon support start-ups for sustainable construction

    Holcim and Amazon support start-ups for sustainable construction

    The Zug-based building materials company Holcim and the Climate Pledge Fund, which belongs to Amazon, have decided to support start-ups that are committed to sustainable construction, according to a press release. The money donated from the fund for the company 14Trees, which operates in Africa, will be used for high-rise buildings using 3D printing technology. 14Trees uses the technology developed by Holcim and British International Investment(BII) for 3D-printed buildings such as schools, residential buildings and a low-carbon data center. The company intends to use the funding provided for Paebbl to further advance its mineralization technology, which can be used to store CO2 in concrete.

    “By investing in 14Trees and Paebbl with Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, we can scale up these breakthrough technologies to push the boundaries of sustainable construction – from 3D printing to turning concrete into a carbon sink,” Nollaig Forrest, Chief Sustainability Officer at Holcim, is quoted as saying in the press release.

    Francois Perrot, Managing Director of 14Trees, was delighted to have found Amazon and Holcim as investors. For Marta Sjögren, co-founder and co-CEO of Paebbl, this funding round “enables us to take even bolder steps in our mission to make the built environment a cornerstone of the decarbonized economy”.

  • Holcim acquires Belgian construction waste recycler

    Holcim acquires Belgian construction waste recycler

    Holcim is further expanding circular construction as a driver of profitable growth. Following the Cand-Landi Group in Switzerland, Land Recovery in the UK and Mendiger Basalt in Germany, the building materials producer has made its fourth acquisition this year with the family business Mark Desmedt, founded in 1989 and, according to Holcim, the leading recycler of construction demolition materials in Belgium.

    According to a Holcim statement, Mark Desmedt recycles more than 500,000 tonnes annually. In addition, the company is strategically located between Brussels and Antwerp and can therefore serve the country’s two largest conurbations. This will enable Holcim to expand its ECOCycle product range for circular construction solutions in Belgium and boost its profitable growth.

    This acquisition brings Holcim closer to its goal of recycling 10 million tonnes of construction waste per year. “With Mark Desmedt’s team, we are accelerating our vision to drive circular construction in the key metropolitan regions where we operate to build cities out of cities,” Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic is quoted as saying.

  • Holcim expands use of artificial intelligence in plants

    Holcim expands use of artificial intelligence in plants

    Holcim is expanding the use of AI-based machine intelligence to over 100 plants worldwide over the next four years, according to a statement. The AI is intended to anticipate incidents and avoid breakdowns in order to increase operational resilience, boost efficiency and increase capacity for customers.

    To this end, the international building materials supplier is working with C3 AI, the leading AI platform provider for outstanding forecasting technology, based in Redwood City, California. Holcim has also announced that it will be trialling whether its state-of-the-art predictive maintenance solution can be enhanced by generative AI.

    As part of the rollout, Holcim’s maintenance teams will be equipped with this predictive technology for real-time asset management and optimisation. It will also be used for product quality and process optimisation, autonomous vehicles and computer vision.

    This is all part of Holcim’s Plants of Tomorrow programme to modernise a global network of over 140 integrated plants and grinding stations in more than 40 countries. According to the information provided, this initiative also includes the use of unmanned drones for inspection and intelligent control systems for efficient energy consumption.

  • Holcim acquires Minerales y Agregados in Guatemala

    Holcim acquires Minerales y Agregados in Guatemala

    Holcim expands its commitment in Central America. The building materials producer, headquartered in Zug, is establishing its first subsidiary in Guatemala with the purchase of Minerales y Agregados. According to a media release, the acquired company is based in Sanarate and specialises in the production and supply of mortar and other solutions for construction and agriculture. Minerales y Agregados was founded in 2014 by the Coronado family.

    “With Minerales y Agregados, we continue to expand our geographic presence while broadening our range of modern construction solutions. The construction sector in Guatemala is highly specialised and demands world-class solutions,” Oliver Osswald, Head of Latin America Region at Holcim, is quoted as saying. “Minerales y Agregados is a perfect fit to help us meet these requirements,” Osswald added.

    Holcim’s production facility in Guatemala will add a new line of business to its “Solutions & Products” offering in the region, the statement said. Holcim expects synergies from the expansion of the Minerales y Agregados offering through supply from its plants in Metapán in El Salvador, as well as from the expansion of the range of advanced mortars and adhesives from the Disensa supply chain, which is part of the Holcim Group. This includes more than 1,000 retail outlets across Latin America.

    With this acquisition, Holcim is advancing its “Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth”, the company statement said. This strategy aims to expand the Solutions & Products business to 30 percent of Group net sales by 2025.

  • Holcim launches platform for recycling construction waste

    Holcim launches platform for recycling construction waste

    Zug-based building materials giant Holcim has launched an internal digital platform for recycling construction waste. According to a media release, this is intended to efficiently distribute, process, shred and assemble demolition materials into new construction solutions. The platform, called ECOCycle, is designed to help in the transition of construction to circularity.

    This will reportedly allow Holcim to recycle 100 per cent of its construction waste. For example, decarbonised raw materials are reused in low-carbon cement formulations. Aggregates can be reused in concrete and fillers in road construction.

    “With our ECOCycle technology, we can build cities from cities by recycling 100 per cent of demolition materials for new solutions, so everything is reused and nothing is lost,” Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch is quoted as saying in the media release. Recyclable construction is imperative in the face of a growing world population and urbanisation.

    Holcim is currently building a residential complex in the UK that is half made of ECOCycle granulate. This granulate in turn consists entirely of recycled demolition material. In France, a residential complex is being built for which Holcim is using exclusively recycled concrete. And in Switzerland, the company offers a cement that consists of one-fifth old construction waste.

  • Holcim sets itself more ambitious climate targets

    Holcim sets itself more ambitious climate targets

    Holcim documents the progress it has made on its climate strategy in its second climate report, which has just been published. With this report, the company, one of the world’s largest producers of building materials, also announces its accelerated climate targets, according to a media release.

    These have been updated in line with the 1.5 degree framework of the Scienced Based Targets Initiative, according to sustainability and innovation chief Magali Anderson. Holcim wants to be “a pioneer in low-carbon and circular construction”.

    According to the report, Holcim has increased its investment in green technologies by 15 per cent to 403 million Swiss francs in 2022. As a result, the group reportedly reduced its CO2 emissions per unit of net sales by 21 per cent. this is expected to increase by a further 10 percent in 2023.

    Furthermore, Holcim commits to invest a cumulative CHF 2 billion in mature technologies for capturing CO2 from the air by 2030. This should remove more than 5 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere per year.

    6.8 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste recycled into new buildings. With this interim result, the company is expected to exceed its target of achieving around 10 million tonnes by 2025. “We are committed,” says CEO Jan Jenisch, “to driving low-carbon and circular construction and using buildings more sustainably to build cities that work for people and the planet.”

    This second climate report will be submitted to the General Assembly for a vote on 4 May. According to the statement, this reflects Holcim’s commitment to giving its shareholders a say in its climate strategy.

  • Holcim completes first part of 3D-printed settlement

    Holcim completes first part of 3D-printed settlement

    Holcim has announced the successful completion of the largest 3D-printed affordable housing complex to date. For this, 14Trees, a joint venture between Holcim and British International Investment, has printed the first ten housing units in Kenya, according to a media release. A total of 52 affordable buildings are planned in the gated community called Mvule Gardens near the town of Kilifi. Each new phase of construction will test further innovations, according to Holcim. The project is part of the Green Heart of Kenya regenerative ecosystem, a model for inclusive and climate-resilient cities.

    Building on the world’s first 3D-printed school by 14Trees in Malawi, the Mvula Gardens complex will also help close the country’s infrastructure gap and create affordable, climate-friendly housing on a large scale. In addition, this new technology will create highly skilled jobs: local workers will be trained as 3D machine assistants and specialists.

    The 3D printing of these ten housing units was made possible with TectorPrint, Holcim’s innovative 3D printing ink, produced for the first time in Kenya. The sustainability profile of this project was recognised by the International Finance Corporation, the development bank of the World Bank Group, with the EDGE Advanced certificate for sustainable design.

    “I am very proud of 14Trees’ work in Africa, where our innovations in 3D printing technology are accelerating affordable and sustainable construction,” Miljan Gutovic, Holcim’s regional director for Europe, is quoted as saying in the statement. “I look forward to 14Trees replicating these successes in Europe and other parts of Africa in the near future.”

  • Holcim continues to grow

    Holcim continues to grow

    According to a press release, building materials producer Holcim increased sales in all segments by 16.9 percent to CHF 14.681 billion in the first half of the year. The roofing and insulation business in particular ended with above-average growth. Holcim expects further growth impetus in the division. In addition to sales, the record result includes recurring EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of CHF 2.173 billion, an increase of 9.6 percent in Swiss francs, and earnings per share, which increased by 39.7 percent to CHF 1.90.

    In order to continue the company's success, according to the announcement, the focus is on the company's decarbonization. Based on the good half-year figures, Holcim feels well positioned to implement Strategy 2025 “Accelerating Green Growth”. This envisages world market leadership for innovative and sustainable construction solutions and net zero by 2050.

    For the 2022 financial year, CEO Jan Jenisch, who was quoted in the announcement, estimates pro-forma sales of CHF 3.5 billion and expects “sales growth of at least 10 percent on a comparable basis”.

  • EU funds two Holcim cleantech projects

    EU funds two Holcim cleantech projects

    The building materials producer Holcim , based in Zug, is receiving investments from the European Union’s innovation fund for two of its cleantech projects. The company did not provide any information in its press release about the amount of the subsidy. The funds are to flow into two measures for the capture, use and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Germany and Poland.

    Accordingly, the EU is participating in Carbon2Business, part of the West Coast 100 project in Schleswig-Holstein. At the Holcim plant in Lägerdorf, separated carbon is converted into synthetic fuels for the mobility sector and as a feedstock for the chemical industry.

    The EU is also supporting Holcim’s Go4ECOPlanet project in Poland. It aims to create a continuous carbon capture and storage chain, ranging from the capture of CO2 at the Kujawien (Kujawy) site to its storage in the seabed of the North Sea. The vision for Go4ECOPlanet is to be a net-zero carbon footprint facility by 2027.

    “Holcim is committed to playing a leading role in the decarbonization of our sector. As the recipient of two cement decarbonisation grants, I am delighted with this clear commitment from the EU,” Miljan Gutovic, head of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, is quoted as saying in the media release.

    Both projects are part of Holcim’s net zero strategy, which aims, among other things, to operate at least one climate-neutral cement plant by 2030.

  • Holcim takes over Romanian manufacturer of ready-mixed concrete

    Holcim takes over Romanian manufacturer of ready-mixed concrete

    Building materials producer Holcim has announced the takeover of the ready-mixed concrete company General Beton Romania SRL . According to a press release, the eight associated concrete plants are to advance Holcim’s plan to achieve 25 percent of its net sales of ready-mixed concrete with so-called Ecopact concrete.

    With the purchase of General Beton Romania SRL, Holcim Romania now has 27 ready-mixed concrete plants. The 160 employees will also be taken over. General Beton generated an estimated net turnover of 45 million euros this year.

    “With this acquisition, we will further expand the presence of Ecopact green concrete, the first and most comprehensive range of sustainable concrete in Romania,” Miljan Gutovic, Head of Region Europe, Middle East and Africa at Holcim, is quoted as saying in the press release. Holcim has been working with General Beton Romania for two decades.

    The company was founded in Timisoara (Timisoara) in 1998 and has since become the largest independent supplier of ready-mixed concrete in Romania. It supplies metropolitan areas such as Bucharest, Arad, Hermannstadt (Sibiu) and Constanta (Constanta). Nothing was announced about the purchase price.

  • Holcim buys Belgian building materials specialist Cantillana

    Holcim buys Belgian building materials specialist Cantillana

    Building materials producer Holcim has announced the takeover of Belgian building materials dealer Cantillana . With Cantillana’s presence and portfolio, Holcim can advance the expansion of the solutions and products division, which is expected to account for 30 percent of Group net sales by 2025, according to a press release .

    For Holcim, the decision in favor of the provider of special solutions means a further optimization of its market position in facade construction systems and thermal insulation composite systems. “This expansion further strengthens our presence in Europe, particularly in the area of building renovation and energy efficiency,” said Miljan Gutovic, head of Holcim’s Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

    The investment ties in with the adopted strategy of “green growth”. Both companies announce that they aim to “take a bigger role in providing innovative and sustainable solutions for energy-efficient buildings”.

    After acquiring the French PRB Group , the Belgian PTB-Compaktuna and Izolbet in Poland, Holcim is adding Cantillana, a privately held company, to the “Holcim family”. Originating as a branch of a construction company, Cantillana has specialized since it was founded in 1875 in the sale of and trade in building materials and building material accessories for the construction and related trades. Today, Cantillana is part of the Stadsbader Group and employs more than 200 people at nine production sites in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

    Holcim AG has focused on innovative and sustainable construction solutions in building construction, civil engineering and infrastructure. At 55 locations across Switzerland, the company produces concrete, gravel and cement suitable for all construction projects and recycles demolition materials into resource-saving products.

  • Holcim grows through acquisition in Eastern Canada

    Holcim grows through acquisition in Eastern Canada

    According to a press release , Holcim has acquired Mathers ‘ quarry and asphalt operations in Saint-Eustache in the Canadian province of Quebec. With the “largest acquisition of aggregates in the region in over ten years”, Holcim will further expand its leading position in the rapidly growing region of Quebec.

    In addition, the presence in Eastern Canada allows a supplement for recycled concrete and asphalt and thus further progress in the circular economy towards a more sustainable construction industry.

    Family-run Mathers Group is a leading manufacturer of building materials in Quebec. The Carrière Saint-Eustache and Pavage Saint-Eustache businesses have been supplying crushed stone and asphalt products to the local market for more than 60 years. All of the quarries and asphalt plants of the Mathers Group and their 80 employees will be taken over by Holcim.

    Holcim AG has focused on innovative and sustainable construction solutions in building construction, civil engineering and infrastructure. The company produces concrete, gravel and cement suitable for all construction projects and recycles demolition materials into resource-saving products.

  • Holcim acquires market leader in USA

    Holcim acquires market leader in USA

    Holcim has reached an agreement to acquire SES Foam LLC of Spring, Texas. The largest independent spray foam insulation company in the US is expected to have net sales of $200 million in 2022. As stated in a media release , SES can look back on double-digit growth. The company produces innovative energy-efficient and bio-based solutions for new and environmentally friendly renovation projects.

    This acquisition in the “highly profitable” American spray foam market is another exciting step in the expansion of the Solutions & Products division, “which drives our ‘Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth’,” its boss Jamie Gentoso is quoted as saying. SES “is an excellent addition to our roofing and insulation business.” This brings Holcim’s 2022 pro forma net sales in this business, including recent acquisitions from Firestone Building Products to Malarkey , to $3.5 billion.

    SES was founded in 2009. In addition to its ‘superior’ and eco-friendly products, such as a sucrose-based bio-certified foam, SES excels at providing value-added services to contractors, including on-site technical training, business consulting, branding and customer acquisition support.

  • Holcim partners with Madaster

    Holcim partners with Madaster

    Holcim Switzerland wants to do more for the circular economy in the construction industry. In this context, the building materials company has entered into a partnership with Madaster , according to a press release .

    Madaster is working on so-called material passports for new and existing buildings. With these material passports, construction waste is given an identity and can be cataloged and reused as resources. The aim is to avoid waste and promote the circular economy in the construction and real estate sector.

    The Madaster platform can also be used during the design phase of buildings to compare different construction methods and material options. Manufacturers of building materials – such as Holcim – can compare and present their products with the product databases on Madaster. They can also trace their products to enable reuse if necessary. Madaster’s services are marketed in Switzerland by Madaster Services Switzerland AG, based in Zurich.

    Holcim Switzerland has set itself the goal of producing only climate-neutral and fully recyclable building materials by 2050. The new partnership should now help to achieve this goal. “By using Madaster when planning buildings, the right decisions for recyclable and resource-saving materials can already be made today,” says Christophe Berset, Team Lead New Solutions at Holcim Switzerland, in the press release. “The more transparency there is at the product level, the more future-proof buildings can be planned, built and dismantled, and materials and products can be used in further phases of use,” he adds.

  • Holcim and Norman Foster Foundation build reusable emergency shelters

    Holcim and Norman Foster Foundation build reusable emergency shelters

    Holcim and the Norman Foster Foundation enter into a partnership. The aim is to develop a concept for the construction of 1000 emergency shelters and a medical facility in one day. According to a press release from Holcim, it is intended to offer the growing number of displaced persons dignified and resilient accommodation.

    “More than 80 million people worldwide are currently being forced to flee their homes,” Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch is quoted as saying. “Emergency shelters can be more than just a roof over one’s head and should offer people the dignity and security of a home.”

    A one-week workshop in Madrid, which will take place until June 10, will kick things off. Holcim will focus on innovations such as low-carbon concrete, lightweight prefabricated support structures and green cements for soil stabilization in the planned construction of 1,000 affordable, demountable and reusable shelters and medical facilities.

    This collaboration follows Holcim’s goal of contributing a total of 500 million Swiss francs to creating positive social impact between 2021 and 2030. To this end, the company leads programs for affordable housing and infrastructure, as well as community initiatives for education, health and skills.

  • Holcim acquires ready-mixed concrete manufacturer in the USA

    Holcim acquires ready-mixed concrete manufacturer in the USA

    The Zug-based building materials company Holcim has bought the Cajun Ready Mix Concrete company in the US state of Louisiana. According to a press release , Holcim intends to expand its ready-mixed concrete division by taking over the associated eight plants for ready-mixed concrete, 108 employees and 51 mixing vehicles.

    Accordingly, the manufacturer of ready-mixed concrete is the largest company in its sector in the greater Baton Rouge area. “With this acquisition, we are expanding our presence in the dynamic Baton Rouge market and reaffirming our focus on growth in North America,” Toufic Tabbara, head of Holcim’s North America region, said in the press release. Cajun’s industry connections and technical skills make him an ideal fit for Holcim’s business.

    Holcim does not disclose anything about the purchase price in its press release. Founded in 2014, Cajun provides concrete and customer service for residential, commercial and industrial partners.

  • Holcim sells Indian business for 6.4 billion Swiss francs

    Holcim sells Indian business for 6.4 billion Swiss francs

    The Zug-based building materials company Holcim is selling its 63.11 percent stake in the Indian company Ambuja Cement and ACC to the Indian Adani Group . According to a media release , the two contracting parties have agreed on this. For Holcim, the sale means cash proceeds of 6.4 billion Swiss francs. The company is investing a large part of this in the expansion of its Solutions & Products division.

    The Indian building materials brand Ambuja Cement , in turn, owns a 50.05 percent stake and a direct stake of 4.48 percent in the Indian building materials company ACC . Together they have 31 cement plants and 78 ready-mixed concrete plants with 10,700 employees across India. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of this year, subject to local authority approvals.

    “With the Adani Group we have found the perfect new owner to initiate the next growth phase of our Indian business for our employees and stakeholders in a fast and efficient transaction,” Jan Jenisch, CEO at Holcim, is quoted as saying in the press release. Holcim entered the Indian market in 2005.

    With its CHF 5 billion investment in the Solutions & Products business area as a “new growth engine”, Holcim aims to become the world’s leading provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions. “The construction sector has never been as attractive as it is today. There are many ways to build better and more with less to improve living standards for everyone in a sustainable way.”

  • Holcim buys Polish company Izolbet

    Holcim buys Polish company Izolbet

    According to a press release , Holcim is taking over the Izolbet company, which is headquartered in the Polish city of Gostynin. This offers special construction solutions and has four production sites in Poland. Over the past three years, Izolbet has reportedly achieved double-digit growth in revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBIDTA).

    With the takeover, the Zug-based cement group intends to strengthen its presence in the areas of renovation and thermal insulation, among other things. The acquisition also complements Holcim’s recent investment in a new dry mortar production facility in Kraków.

    “Construction solutions are a key focus for Solutions & Products expansion in Europe, particularly with the recent acquisitions of PRB Group in France and PTB-Compaktuna in Belgium,” says Miljan Gutovic, Head of Region Europe, Middle East and Africa at Holcim , quote. “I am delighted to welcome all Izolbet employees to the Holcim family to start our next growth chapter together,” he added.

  • Zurich is at the forefront of the circular economy

    Zurich is at the forefront of the circular economy

    The Zug-based building materials producer Holcim and the New York media company Bloomberg are launching the Circular Cities Barometer. The Circular Economy Barometer highlights the top 25 cities leading the shift towards circular living. According to the current status, the cities of Seattle, Copenhagen and Zurich are currently in first to third place in the four categories of buildings, municipal systems, municipal facilities and strategies.

    “The circular economy is a key element to respecting the limits of our planet and taking serious action on climate change. With the rapid urbanization of our world, cities are at the center of this shift from a linear ‘take-make-waste’ economy to a circular ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ economy,” said Jan Jenisch, CEO of Holcim. This barometer gives unique insights into the most innovative circular cities around the world.

    Created in collaboration with Holcim, the barometer aims to “draw attention to what is making cities around the world circular. We hope that with these insights we can inspire other cities to take action to enable change,” said Lauren Kiel, general manager for Bloomberg Green at Bloomberg Media.

    The Circular Cities Barometer uses its own algorithm to measure the transition of 25 cities from a linear to a circular economy, according to the media release on the method. All regions of the world are represented.

  • Holcim increases sales significantly

    Holcim increases sales significantly

    The building materials group Holcim , headquartered in Zug, is reporting positive economic figures for the first quarter of 2022. According to a press release , net sales rose from 5.36 billion francs to 6.44 billion francs. Sales thus increased by 20.1 percent. Operating profit (EBIT) rose by 16.3 percent compared to the same quarter last year to CHF 614 million. According to the announcement, EBIT and sales have reached a “record high”. According to the announcement, the roof systems segment developed particularly positively with an EBIT margin of 17 percent.

    “I am very confident about the record start to the year, which creates a solid basis for our ‘Accelerating Green Growth’ strategy 2025,” CEO Jan Jenisch is quoted as saying. For the first time, Holcim has published a sustainability report on the aforementioned “accelerated green growth”. “The report is a first in our industry and provides an overview of our decarbonization measures, which range from climate-friendly construction solutions to circular construction and next-generation technologies,” Jenisch continues.

    In the global overview of Holcim’s activities, North America with the USA and Canada is highlighted as growth markets. Argentina, Colombia and El Salvador also recorded good market growth in the Latin America region.

    Europe did extremely well. Strong pricing has allowed the company to contain the effects of cost inflation. There was also good market demand in Eastern Europe.

    In the Middle East and Africa, cost inflation has been absorbed well, the report says. Asia and Oceania was difficult given cost inflation. Better business in China and improved profitability in Australia helped partially offset weaker cement demand in the region.

  • Holcim withdraws from Russia

    Holcim withdraws from Russia

    The Board of Directors of Holcim has decided to initiate the process of exiting the Russian market. According to a statement from the Zug-based building materials group, this is in line with the company’s values, which aim to act as responsibly as possible. This decision follows an earlier decision to halt all capital investments in the Russian market.

    The panel expresses its “deep concern at the tragic human suffering in the region”. Holcim is “determined to support the affected people, families and communities”.

    In addition, the Board of Directors would like to expressly thank all colleagues who work alongside local non-governmental organizations worldwide to provide accommodation, essential goods and medical care and who volunteer their time.

  • Dutch central bank builds with new strength

    Dutch central bank builds with new strength

    The Dutch Central Bank uses CO2-neutral concrete in the renovation of its Amsterdam headquarters. This is made possible thanks to a collaboration between the Dutch New Horizon Urban Mining BV and the Swiss start-up neustark , according to a LinkedIn announcement .

    New Horizon’s technology makes it possible to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete by 75 percent, they say. For this, cement is obtained from concrete recycling material. The remaining footprint is offset by neustark. The start-up has developed a technology with which CO2 from the atmosphere can be permanently stored in recycled concrete. For this purpose, liquid CO2 is introduced into demolition material.

    Neustark is a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich ( ETH ) based in Bern. The company works with Holcim , among others, to drive innovation and sustainability in the construction sector. As part of the collaboration, neustark is investigating the CO2 conversion potential of Holcim’s recycled demolition concrete. Holcim, in turn, optimizes the concrete produced by neustark.

  • Holcim und Eni wollen CO2 in Zement speichern

    Holcim und Eni wollen CO2 in Zement speichern

    Der Zuger Baustoffspezialist Holcim spannt mit dem in Rom ansässigen Energieunternehmen Eni zusammen. Gemeinsam wollen sie untersuchen, wie sich Kohlenstoffdioxid (CO2) abscheiden, in dem Mineral Olivin speichern und anschliessend in Zement einbauen lässt, heisst es in einer Medienmitteilung. Damit will Holcim den ökologischen Fussabdruck seines Betriebes weltweit verringern und sein Angebot an nachhaltigem Zement erweitern.

    Eni verfügt über Wissen, wie sich CO2 abscheiden und mineralisieren lässt, um es in Olivin zu speichern. Im Innovationszentrum von Holcim wollen Forschende „die Verwendung dieses karbonisierten Olivins als neuen emissionsarmen Rohstoff für die Formulierung eines grünen Zements untersuchen“, heisst es in der Medienmitteilung. Das Forschungsteam von Holcim will sich dabei auf die Charakterisierung der mechanischen Eigenschaften von karbonisiertem Olivin in der Betonproduktion konzentrieren.

    Olivin ist ein auf der Erde weit verbreitetes Mineral. Dies in Kombination mit den weltweiten Aktivitäten von Holcim und Eni würde diese Lösung „in hohem Masse skalierbar machen“ und so Materialien für umweltfreundliches Bauen weltweit ermöglichen.

    Die Partnerschaft mit Eni ist eines von weltweit 30 Projekten von Holcim, die sich mit Lösungen zur Abscheidung, Nutzung und Speicherung von Kohlenstoffdioxid beschäftigen.

  • Holcim and Bloomberg are looking for circular cities

    Holcim and Bloomberg are looking for circular cities

    The Zug-based building materials producer Holcim and the New York media company Bloomberg want to research together what makes cities role models for the circular economy and thus catalysts for sustainable growth. According to a press release , the two companies want to work together in this regard to identify good examples and place them in a global showcase. To this end, they announced the first Circular Cities Barometer.

    According to Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch, the circular economy is “an opportunity of our time”. “My vision for the construction industry is to build more new things out of old ones, with recycled materials in every new building.” He wants to better understand how cities can be enabled for more circular economy.

    This would require identifying key drivers that drive progress, as well as bottlenecks that need to be addressed, says Lauren Kiel, general manager for Bloomberg Green at Bloomberg Media. “By better understanding the structure of this important work, we can enable circular living for all.”

    As cities grow, they are at the forefront of the transition from a linear to a circular economy, Holcim said. Cities had the “critical mass” to make a difference with widespread access to recyclable materials. “As our world builds the equivalent of New York City every month, the construction sector has a key role to play in the shift to a circular economy.”

  • Holcim issues first sustainable bonds

    Holcim issues first sustainable bonds

    Holcim has issued two bonds in Swiss francs that are geared towards sustainability and put climate protection at the heart of the financing strategy. The bonds raised CHF 325 million and CHF 100 million, with maturities in 2026 and 2032 and carrying an annual interest rate of 0.35 and 0.90 percent, respectively.

    If Holcim does not achieve its climate target, investors are entitled to a higher coupon. "We are proud to be the first company to issue a sustainability-related bond on the Swiss franc market," CFO Géraldine Picaud is quoted as saying in a company statement. "The bond has attracted new ESG investors who have demonstrated their confidence in Holcim's financial strength, strategy and ability to achieve sustainability goals."

    With the current transactions, Holcim is expanding its global leadership position in this area. To date, the company has concluded around 6.7 billion in sustainable financing agreements. This current transaction represents a significant step on the way to more than 40 percent sustainable financing contracts as part of "Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth".

    This was Holcim's third transaction in the Swiss public bond market in the last ten months. They allowed the company to raise a total of 1.1 billion Swiss francs.

  • Holcim concrete is supposed to charge electric vehicles

    Holcim concrete is supposed to charge electric vehicles

    Holcim has entered into a strategic partnership with the start-up Magment . The young company based in Oberhaching near Munich is working on a wireless inductive charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. According to Magment's understanding, they should be charged where they go instead of having to go where they are charged. This reduces the need for charging stations and at the same time saves time, according to a message from the Zug-based building materials manufacturer.

    Together, the development departments of both companies have created a "unique concrete with high magnetic permeability" for road surfaces. The technology is currently being tested at Purdue University in the US state of Indiana. Applications for industrial floors to charge robots and forklifts while driving are also in preparation.

    Magment CEO and co-founder Mauricio Esguerra believes that both companies will be an “important companion for the sustainable electric transport of the future” “by developing superior qualities” of magnetizable concrete technology. Holcim is also pleased to “develop concrete solutions with Magment to advance electromobility,” said Edelio Bermejo, Head of Holcim's Global Innovation Center. The Zug-based company is shifting "the limits of innovation by working with start-ups all over the world in order to take on a pioneering role in terms of sustainability".

  • Holcim takes over Malarkey Roofing in the USA

    Holcim takes over Malarkey Roofing in the USA

    The global Zug-based building materials company Holcim has signed an agreement to take over Malarkey Roofing Products . Malarkey is a leader in the American residential roofing market, according to a press release . It is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The transaction is valued at $ 1.35 billion and will be 100 percent cash-funded. Holcim expects to realize synergies of $ 40 million per year by year three.

    Malarkey Roofing Products is forecast to have net sales of $ 600 million in 2022. According to the announcement, the company can point to double-digit growth in the highly profitable roof-top housing market in the USA with a volume of 19 billion dollars. Both companies have set themselves the goal of sustainable building.

    “The acquisition of Malarkey Roofing Products is an excellent start for our ‘Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth’, with which we are expanding our Solutions & Products division and becoming one of the world’s leading providers of roofing systems,” Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch is quoted as saying. With Malarkey, Holcim is positioning itself as a full-range roofing provider. The strategy to accelerate green growth is to expand this area to 30 percent of the Group’s net sales by 2025.

    Gregory Malarkey, President of Malarkey Roofing, founded in 1956, sees Holcim as the right partner. “For decades we have been looking for a company that aligns with our vision, shares our values and can help us accelerate our growth strategy.” Like Malarkey, Holcim also focuses heavily on promoting the circular economy and the transition to sustainable construction, Malarkey becomes further quoted.

  • Holcim buys American company

    Holcim buys American company

    Holcim is buying the American company Marshall Concrete Products , according to a media release . This specializes in concrete products for residential buildings and small businesses. It was founded in 1936 and is based in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

    With the acquisition, Holcim wants to expand its position in the USA. "The acquisition strengthens our presence in this strong growth market and contributes to Holcim's overall strategy of expanding our range of low-carbon products and solutions," Jan Jenisch, CEO of Holcim, is quoted as saying.

    According to the announcement, all Marshall Concrete Products employees will continue to be employed and integrated into Holcim's national subsidiary in the USA. No information is given about the purchase price.

  • Holcim is building a 3D-printed settlement

    Holcim is building a 3D-printed settlement

    With its joint venture 14Trees and the British development finance institute CDC Group , Holcim wants to realize the largest 3D-printed house complex in Africa. In Kilifi, Kenya, the Mvule Gardens development is to create affordable living space in 52 buildings. The building material manufacturer has now announced this. The project is part of the regenerative ecosystem Green Heart of Kenya , a model for inclusive and climate-resilient cities. Construction will start in early 2022.

    The project builds on Holcim's first 3D printed school in Malawi. It is intended to close an acute infrastructure gap. "14Trees is pioneering the use of cutting-edge technology to address one of Africa's most pressing development needs – affordable housing – and create life-changing infrastructure for entire communities," said Tenbite Ermias, CEO of CDC Africa, as quoted in the press release.

    14Trees has set itself the goal of addressing the lack of affordable housing in Africa with 3D printing and intelligent design, while creating skilled local jobs at the same time. As demonstrated in Malawi, the technology can reduce a house's ecological footprint by more than 50 percent compared to conventional methods, according to Holcim. Accordingly, they have the EDGE certificate for resource- efficient buildings.

    The MASS Design Group , an architecture firm based in the USA and Africa, designed the Mvule Gardens. They are designed to create affordable, sustainable and reproducible housing units that are adapted to the Kenyan environment.

  • Holcim launches concrete innovation

    Holcim launches concrete innovation

    Holcim has developed a new high-performance concrete called DYNAMax. According to a media release from the Zug-based building materials group, it can be used to build thinner and longer structures than with conventional concrete. On the one hand, this enables larger usable rooms. On the other hand, material is saved in building.

    Holcim also paid attention to the overall ecological footprint of DYNAMax. In addition to the reduced use of materials, the product is characterized by local production, “short transport routes” and a recyclable and completely reusable profile.

    DYNAMax will initially be launched in Europe, North and South America and the Asia-Pacific region in 2022.

    “Given today’s population and urbanization trends, DYNAMax is an ideal material for building smart cities. It offers high performance so that you can build more with less, without compromising aesthetics and functionality, ”says Jan Jenisch, CEO of Holcim.