Holcim Mexico Invests in Water Tech, Low-Carbon Construction

Summary: Holcim Mexico announced a MX$356 million investment through 2027 to expand water-resilience infrastructure and low-carbon construction technologies, as water scarcity intensifies operational risks for Mexico’s construction materials sector. The strategy includes recycled water adoption, self-curing concrete and expanded use of low-carbon products, aligning with evolving sustainability standards and regulatory priorities. The initiative affects construction, infrastructure and real estate developers, while responding to drought conditions highlighted by Mexico’s National Water Commission and growing pressure for resource-efficient industrial operations.

Holcim Mexico announced it will invest nearly MX$356 million (US$21 million) through 2027 to accelerate its water management strategy, while expanding low-carbon construction technologies as part of a broader sustainability and decarbonization agenda across the country. The investment will support infrastructure, technology and projects focused on water resilience in the company’s operations, as water availability becomes an increasingly critical factor for the construction materials industry. 

The initiative aligns with Holcim’s global target to reduce freshwater extraction by up to 33% by 2030. The announcement comes as Mexico faces growing water stress, prompting industrial companies to adopt circular water management models and more efficient construction solutions.

As part of its operational transformation, Holcim Mexico reported a 58% reduction in freshwater use across its operations between 2020 and 2025. The company attributed the improvement primarily to expanded use of treated wastewater and process optimization technologies.

Currently, 71% of the company’s plants in Mexico incorporate recycled water into their operations and rely on non-conventional water sources for various production stages. Beyond operational changes, Holcim Mexico is also implementing rainwater harvesting projects, environmental restoration initiatives near its facilities, and community infrastructure designed to improve water management. The company said it is also promoting nature-based solutions to help recharge watersheds in regions where it operates.

These initiatives reflect a broader shift within the construction industry, where companies are increasingly adopting circular economy principles to address resource constraints and environmental risks.

Technological Innovation and Construction Solutions

In parallel with its water management strategy, Holcim Mexico is developing technologies aimed at reducing water consumption during construction. Among them is its self-curing concrete, I-dracreto, which eliminates the need for post-placement watering and saves approximately 70L of water per square meter applied.

According to the company, adoption of such innovations has generated a potential reduction of 232 million L of water in construction projects nationwide, equivalent to about 93 Olympic-size swimming pools. “Our vision has evolved: it is no longer enough to reduce consumption. We are transforming our operational model toward a circular water economy ecosystem, where systematic reuse and regeneration are pillars of efficiency,” said Ibette Sosa, sustainability manager at Holcim Mexico.

Sosa added that the goal is to close water cycles within industrial operations and construction projects, reducing risks associated with water availability and strengthening watershed resilience.

Holcim also reported it is among three companies globally to validate Nature-Based Targets, a scientific framework designed to keep industrial operations within planetary environmental limits. One example is the Moctezuma basin, where the company set a target to reduce freshwater extraction by 39%, but has already achieved a 47% reduction.

The company’s efforts come as Mexico faces mounting water challenges. According to Mexico’s National Water Commission drought monitor, more than 40% of the country is experiencing some level of drought, while national statistics agency data shows roughly 52.5% of the urban population has regular access to drinking water.

Holcim said it will continue expanding its long-term water management strategy to strengthen operational efficiency and support sustainable regional development.

Low-Carbon Construction Strategy Expands

Separately, Holcim Mexico marked the 30th anniversary of its Construction Technology Innovation Center (CiTeC) by outlining a national plan to expand low-carbon concrete, circular construction and energy-efficient technologies.

Company executives and government representatives identified four priorities: modernizing standards for low-carbon materials, harmonizing recycling regulations for construction waste, expanding alternative fuels and energy sources, and updating regulations to improve competitiveness through clean technologies, reported MBN. 

Holcim Mexico CEO Christian Dedeu said the company’s decarbonization strategy is anchored in two products developed through CiTeC: ECOPact low-carbon concrete and ECOPlanet sustainable cement. ECOPlanet currently represents 56% of the company’s cement sales, reducing carbon emissions by 35% to 65%, with a target of 77% by 2027. ECOPact accounts for 15% of concrete sales, with goals of 27% by 2027 and 50% by 2030.

Through both products, Holcim avoided 1.7Mt of CO2 emissions in 2024, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 355,000 households. To expand production, the company is investing MX$56 million to install 27 new silos across its ready-mix plants. ECOPact has already been used in major infrastructure and real estate developments, including Presa Libertad in Nuevo Leon and Torre Moranta.

Electric Plant Signals Decarbonization Push

In November, Holcim inaugurated Mexico’s first fully electric ready-mix concrete plant in Zapopan, Jalisco, representing an investment of 51 million pesos under its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy. The facility includes eight electric mixer trucks and an electric loader supported by an internal charging system capable of powering operations for a full day, reported MBN. 

Holcim currently operates 77 ready-mix plants, seven cement plants and one grinding facility nationwide, and plans to replicate the Zapopan model in regions with high emissions. Pedro Garza, Director of Sales and Concrete Operations, said the project reflects the company’s goal of decarbonizing construction and advancing toward net-zero emissions by 2050.

Electrifying the facility eliminates 110,000L of diesel annually, reduces 300t of CO2 emissions, lowers internal noise by 90%, and cuts energy costs by 67%.