Holcim Invests MX$51 Million in First Electric Concrete Plant

Holcim México inaugurated the country’s first fully electric ready-mix concrete plant, a MX$51 million investment that marks a major step in the company’s shift toward cleaner and more efficient construction operations.

The facility, located in Zapopan, Jalisco, is the first of its kind in Mexico and represents the launch of Holcim’s electrification strategy under its global NextGen Growth 2030 plan. The company said the initiative reinforces its commitment to innovation and sustainability in the construction sector.

The electric plant includes eight electric mixer trucks and an electric front loader, supported by an in-house charging system that allows the fleet to operate for a full workday without recharging.

“This plant is more than a technical achievement; it reflects our vision to decarbonize the construction industry and advance toward a net-zero model by 2050,” said Pedro Garza, Director of Sales and Concrete Operations, Holcim México. “With innovation, technology and commitment, we are proving that sustainable construction is already a reality in Mexico and can generate economic, environmental, and social value.”

According to Holcim, electrifying the facility will eliminate the annual consumption of more than 110,000L of diesel and reduce nearly 300mt of CO₂ emissions per year. The operation also cuts internal noise pollution by 90% and eliminates external noise during vehicle transit, improving quality of life for surrounding communities. Increased energy efficiency is expected to reduce overall energy costs by 67%.

Holcim México operates 77 ready-mix concrete plants, seven cement plants and one grinding facility nationwide, employing more than 5,000 people. The company has expanded its portfolio of low-carbon solutions, including ECOPact, ECOPlanet and ECOCycle, designed to cut emissions and promote circularity in construction.

“The operational efficiency of this plant demonstrates that sustainability is inherently more profitable,” Garza said. “This is another step toward cleaner, more resilient, and more inclusive cities.”

As part of its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, Holcim México aims for sustainable solutions to represent 50% of its sales by the end of the decade. The Zapopan project is expected to serve as a model for expansion into other regions with higher concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions.

Jalisco Attracts Investment and Innovation

MBN reported that Jalisco is positioning itself to attract greater investment by strengthening its talent pipeline and expanding its innovation ecosystem, said Horacio Fernández, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Jalisco. “We receive companies from all over the world every week that want to invest in this ecosystem, and one of the most important things they ask for is talent,” Fernández Castillo told Excélsior ahead of the closing of the first Innovation Fest 2025. He added that the event is expected to become a long-term source of skilled professionals. “We are working so that all young people have these opportunities,” he said.

Fernández highlighted the Jalisco Innovation Center Network (Redi) as a key tool for entrepreneurship across the state. The network’s centers operate in locations including Tomatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno, and, soon, Chapala. “These spaces are welcoming environments where entrepreneurs can learn, attend conferences, negotiate and meet with authorities,” he said. “This network is unique in the country.”

He also emphasized the importance of expanding English-language education. State-affiliated universities, including UJC and ITCSJ, with nearly 25,000 students, now offer free English courses. This is the only program of its kind in Mexico, Fernández said.

The Innovation Fest aims to inspire young audiences while the state supports researchers seeking to take innovations from the lab to the market. Programs help academics move from patent registration to commercialization. “We should not wait until they reach undergraduate studies. We must begin earlier, even in elementary school, to spark curiosity and analytical thinking,” he said.

The minister noted that Jalisco has been nurturing its innovation ecosystem for decades, beginning with the arrival of companies such as Motorola 58 years ago. The inaugural Innovation Fest drew more than 13,000 attendees, surpassing the original estimate of 8,000, with 62% men and 38% women participating. “Technology can sometimes be a difficult field for achieving women’s inclusion, but participation is growing. Reaching nearly 40% women is exciting, because here, women lead the way,” Fernández Castillo said.