Holcim Mexico Targets 33% Water Cut with MX$356 Million Plan

Holcim México will invest MX$356 million through 2027 in water-resilience infrastructure and proprietary self-curing technologies such as “I-dracreto” to reduce industrial water use. The initiative responds to Mexico’s acute water scarcity — affecting over 40% of the territory — and targets a 33% reduction in the company’s water intensity by 2030. The strategy aligns with Science Based Targets for Nature and mounting regulatory and environmental pressures on the construction and cement industries.

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Holcim Mexico announced it will invest MX$356 million (US$20 million) through 2027 in infrastructure, technology and water resilience projects, as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce water withdrawal across its national operations.

The company, one of only three globally to have validated Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN), has already achieved a 58% reduction in water withdrawal since 2020. According to a company statement, Holcim aims to reach a 33% reduction in water intensity across all operations by 2030. Currently, 71% of its Mexican plants incorporate recycled or non-conventional water into industrial processes.

To drive these efficiencies, the cement maker uses proprietary technologies such as "I-dracreto," a self-curing concrete that eliminates the need for post-placement irrigation. This technology saves approximately 70L of water per m2. Holcim reported that its specialized solutions have already led to a potential reduction of 232 million L of water in construction projects nationwide, equivalent to roughly 93 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The investment program addresses a critical environmental context in Mexico. According to the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) Drought Monitor, more than 40% of the country currently faces some level of drought. Furthermore, data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) indicate that only 52.5% of the urban population has regular access to potable water.

Holcim Drives Sustainability within Construction Sector

Holcim’s investments in water infrastructure complement its ongoing initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the value chain. According to Holcim Mexico CEO Christian Dedeu, the company’s decarbonization strategy is anchored in two core products — ECOPact low-carbon concrete and ECOPlanet sustainable cement — developed through its Construction Technology Innovation Center (CiTeC).

 ECOPlanet now represents 56% of Holcim’s cement sales, reducing CO₂ emissions by 35% to 65%, with a target of 77% by 2027. ECOPact currently accounts for 15% of concrete sales, with the company aiming to reach 27% by 2027 and 50% by 2030. Through both ECOPact and ECOPlanet, Holcim avoided 1.7 million t of CO₂ in 2024 alone, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 355,000 households. 

Additionally, Holcim is investing MX$56 million to install 27 new silos, with a combined capacity of 2,600 t, across its ready-mix plants to expand ECOPact production. ECOPact has already supported major projects, including Presa Libertad in Nuevo Leon — avoiding 80,000 t of CO₂ — and Torre Moranta, the first building constructed entirely with ECOPact.

“Sustainable construction is both a necessity and a tremendous opportunity for Mexico’s development, driven by urbanization and large-scale infrastructure initiatives,” said Mónica Fernández, Director of Ready-Mix and Aggregates Sales, Holcim México. “With ECOPact, we are offering more than a product — we are delivering a tangible solution to build a cleaner, more resilient and competitive country.”

In November 2025, Holcim inaugurated Mexico’s first fully electric ready-mix concrete plant in Zapopan, Jalisco, a MX$51 million (US$2.9 million) project aligned with its NextGen Growth 2030 plan. The facility includes eight electric mixer trucks and an electric loader supported by an internal charging system capable of powering the fleet for a full day. Holcim now operates 77 ready-mix plants, seven cement plants, and one grinding facility nationwide, and plans to replicate the Zapopan model in high-emission regions.

Pedro Garza, Director of Sales and Concrete Operations, said the project “reflects our vision to decarbonize the construction industry and advance toward a net-zero model by 2050.” According to the company, electrifying the plant eliminates 110,000L of diesel per year, cuts 300tCO₂, cuts internal noise by 90% and lowers energy costs by 67%.