Holcim’s Innovative Technology Reduces Carbon Footprint of Cement Production by 50%

(IN BRIEF) Holcim, a global leader in the building materials industry, has announced the launch of Europe’s first calcined clay cement operation at its Saint-Pierre-la-Cour plant in France. The new production line will use Holcim’s proprietary technology, proximA Tech, to manufacture up to 500,000 tons of low-carbon cement per year under the brand name ECOPlanet. This will significantly reduce the CO2 footprint of the cement to 50% lower than that of standard cement. The production process is ultra-efficient and nearly carbon-free, using 100% biomass-based alternative fuels and waste heat recovery systems to power the sustainable operations. The project is part of Holcim’s European roadmap to decarbonize construction, utilizing a range of low-emission materials, including calcined clay and construction and demolition waste. The initiative has received financial support from the French government through the “France Relance” scheme.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZUG, 13-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  Holcim (SWX: HOLN), one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates, concrete and related services, has announced the launch of its first calcined clay cement operation in Europe, which is being installed in the Saint-Pierre-la-Cour plant in France. The facility, running on Holcim’s proprietary technology proximA Tech, is set to produce up to 500,000 tons of low-carbon cement per year, with a 50% lower CO2 footprint compared to standard cement. Holcim has developed this operation as part of its wider commitment to decarbonize the construction industry by offering a range of low-emission materials, from calcined clay to construction and demolition waste.

The production of the ECOPlanet green cement is powered by 100% biomass-based alternative fuels and waste heat recovery systems. This has led to the manufacturing of calcined clay with nearly zero carbon emissions, making it highly efficient, and the Saint-Pierre-la-Cour plant is the first in the world to offer such an advanced production line. With its ultra-sustainable operations, Holcim is leading the way in the fight against climate change, as it aims to promote green cement and combat the environmental hazards caused by the use of traditional cement.

The French government has played a crucial role in supporting Holcim’s ambitious project by providing financial backing through the “France Relance” scheme, which is investing in large-scale decarbonization and energy efficiency initiatives in France. Holcim’s success with the Saint-Pierre-la-Cour plant sets a high standard for the industry, encouraging other companies to embrace more sustainable practices and take steps towards reducing carbon emissions.

Miljan Gutovic, Region Head Europe: “The opening of the first calcined clay cement production line in Europe is another milestone in our mission to decarbonize building. We are scaling up our calcined clay cements across all regions by 2025, to advance our ECOPlanet range of low-carbon cement, making low-carbon construction possible at scale.”

About Holcim

Holcim builds progress for people and the planet. As a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, Holcim is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of its strategy Holcim is becoming a net zero company, with its people and communities at the heart of its success. The company is driving circular construction as a world leader in recycling to build more with less. Holcim is 70,000 people around the world who are passionate about building progress for people and the planet through four business segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, Aggregates and Solutions & Products.

Learn more about Holcim on www.holcim.com, and by following us on LinkedIn.

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Important disclaimer – forward-looking statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets, as the case may be, including with respect to plans, initiatives, events, products, solutions and services, their development and potential. Although Holcim believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as at the time of publishing this document, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Holcim, including but not limited to the risks described in the Holcim’s annual report available on its website (www.holcim.com) and uncertainties related to the market conditions and the implementation of our plans. Accordingly, we caution you against relying on forward-looking statements. Holcim does not undertake to provide updates of these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE: HOLCIM