Holcim Mexico’s Investment in Sustainable Construction and Water Management
Holcim Mexico has declared an investment of approximately MX$356 million (about US$21 million) aimed at enhancing water management and low-carbon construction technologies by 2027. This initiative comes in response to Mexico’s increasing water scarcity, which poses significant challenges to the construction materials industry.
The investment focuses on improving water resilience across Holcim’s operations while supporting broader sustainability goals. The company’s strategy includes the use of recycled water, self-curing concrete, and a greater reliance on low-carbon products, reflecting the evolving standards for sustainability in the construction sector.
As water availability becomes a pressing issue, Holcim Mexico is stepping up its efforts to utilize treated wastewater and optimize processes to reduce freshwater consumption. From 2020 to 2025, the company has achieved a notable 58% reduction in freshwater use.
Currently, 71% of Holcim’s production plants in Mexico incorporate recycled water, utilizing non-conventional water sources in various phases of production. Moreover, the company is engaging in rainwater harvesting, environmental restoration projects, and community infrastructure aimed at enhancing water management.
Innovative Construction Solutions
In tandem with its water strategy, Holcim Mexico is also focusing on technological advancements that reduce water use during construction. One of their innovations is a self-curing concrete called I-dracreto, which needs less post-placement watering—saving around 70 liters of water for each square meter applied. This could lead to a potential nationwide reduction of 232 million liters of water in construction projects, a volume comparable to 93 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The company aims to close water cycles in both industrial operations and construction projects, reinforcing the resilience of watersheds while minimizing water availability risks.
Efforts Toward Decarbonization
Holcim Mexico is among a select few companies worldwide that have validated Nature-Based Targets, a framework aimed at ensuring ecological harmony within industrial operations. Notably, in the Moctezuma basin, Holcim has exceeded its target of reducing freshwater extraction by achieving a 47% reduction instead of the planned 39%.
According to Mexico’s National Water Commission, over 40% of the country faces varying degrees of drought, making Holcim’s commitment to sustainable practices even more critical.
Expanding Low-Carbon Construction Strategies
Marking the 30th anniversary of its Construction Technology Innovation Center, Holcim Mexico has set out plans to advance low-carbon concrete and efficient construction technologies. The company’s CEO emphasized the importance of modernizing material standards and enhancing regulations to boost competitiveness while promoting clean technologies.
Their ECOPact concrete and ECOPlanet cement are at the forefront of these efforts, with significant reductions in carbon emissions. Holcim aims for ECOPlanet to account for 77% of its sales by 2027.
In 2024 alone, these initiatives helped avoid 1.7 million tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of roughly 355,000 homes.
Electric Plant Launch
Earlier this year, Holcim launched Mexico’s first fully electric ready-mix concrete plant in Zapopan, representing a 51 million peso investment. This facility, equipped with electric trucks and loaders, aligns with their strategy to cut emissions and move towards net-zero operations by 2050.
By electrifying this plant, Holcim anticipates annual reductions of 110,000 liters of diesel and 300 tons of CO2, as well as significant savings on energy costs.
With these proactive measures, Holcim Mexico continues to strengthen its position as a leader in sustainable construction practices while addressing pressing environmental challenges.
