Home Architecture News Holcim Says Low-Carbon Cement Now 40% of Sales as Deals Expand Reach

Holcim Says Low-Carbon Cement Now 40% of Sales as Deals Expand Reach

Low carbon cement reached 40 percent of Holcim volumes in the first half of 2026, as the group closed seven acquisitions and lifted its use of recycled demolition material.

LA Editorial TeamSeptember 26, 20261 Mins read1

Holcim cement plant at Portland, Colorado, with its kiln and storage silos under an open sky

Holcim’s cement plant at Portland, Colorado. Photograph: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Holcim told markets on July 31 that low-carbon cement accounted for 40% of the volumes it sold in the first half of 2026, a milestone the Swiss building materials group linked to tightening emissions rules and rising demand from developers chasing green building certification.

The company’s ECOPlanet cement brand drove much of that growth, while its ECOPact low-carbon ready-mix concrete made up 30% of total ready-mix sales over the same period. Holcim also said it lifted its use of recycled construction and demolition material by 36% year over year, to 4.7 million metric tons.

Holcim cement works at Westport in New Zealand, its silos standing beside the coast — Holcim cement works at Westport, New Zealand. Photograph: Ulrich Lange, CC BY 3.0.

Holcim’s low-carbon cement sales climb alongside revenue

Net sales rose 5.2% from a year earlier to CHF7.9 billion, roughly $8.8 billion, though the company acknowledged profit margins narrowed as costs rose across its operations even as volumes grew. Holcim described the results as part of its continuing NextGen 2030 strategy, which centers on expanding low-carbon products and circular construction offerings.

The company closed seven acquisitions during the half, aimed at building out its cement and aggregates business in Latin America and Eastern Europe. Deals included Peru’s Cementos Pacasmayo, positioning Holcim in a market it says is rebounding after the political turmoil of 2023 and 2024, and Romania’s Uranus Pluton SRL, a bet on infrastructure spending tied to EU funding. Holcim additionally picked up Belgium’s Jacobs NV, Germany’s Josef Klösters Kies & Beton and Xella, and the ready-mix arm of New Zealand’s Stevenson Group. The Xella purchase added 22 circular construction hubs, bringing Holcim’s total to 134. The company also exited Lebanon, including its operations in Cyprus.

Holcim framed the half year as evidence that tightening emissions rules and green building standards are steering demand toward lower carbon products, and said its NextGen 2030 plan will keep widening that portfolio. Progress on the strategy is reported with the company’s future earnings updates.

Sources:S&P Global

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LA Editorial Team

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