Swiss-based building materials company Holcim is investing heavily in the water conservation efforts of its Mexico operations, as the popular mood in Mexico has been turning against perceived excess corporate water use. 

The global firm plans to invest 356 million pesos (US $20 million) by 2027 to expand its infrastructure and technology for water management. The planned expenditure supports Holcim’s expressed goal of reducing water extraction across all its Mexico operations by up to 33% by 2030.

Companies are feeling pressure to reduce their water use in Mexico as increased episodes of drought across much of the country have forced individual users to cut back on water use.

To date, Holcim has cut its water extraction volume by 58% by increasing the use of treated wastewater, recirculation technologies and predictive maintenance, which it implements at 71% of its plants.

Holcim México also conducts rainwater harvesting projects, community infrastructure projects and environmental restoration in vulnerable areas near its operations. 

In the Moctezuma basin, which helps drain the Bajío region and where Holcim conducts much of its non-Mexico City operations, the company has reduced its freshwater extraction by 47%, far higher than its 39% target.

In addition to reducing potable water use in its plants, Holcim aims to reduce the water consumption required for construction processes by customers using Holcim building materials. So far, the firm has achieved a potential reduction of 232 million liters of water in construction projects nationwide by launching several innovative products. 

For example, its self-curing concrete technology, I-dracreto, eliminates the need for subsequent watering, saving roughly 70 liters of water per square meter poured. Meanwhile, its permeable systems promote infiltration and natural aquifer recharge.

“Our vision has evolved: simply reducing consumption is no longer enough,” said Holcim México’s sustainability manager, Ibette Sosa. “We are transforming our operating model toward a circular water economy ecosystem, where systematic reuse and regeneration are the pillars of our efficiency.” 

Holcim México’s decarbonization efforts  

In November, Holcim México inaugurated its first 100% electric ready-mix concrete plant, investing 51 million pesos ($2.9 million) in the electrification of its Zapopan, Jalisco facility. 

The firm aims to contribute to the decarbonization of the construction industry and move toward a net-zero model by 2050, with plans to replicate the electrification model in other regions of Mexico, according to the firm’s director of sales and operations, Pedro Garza.

“With innovation, technology, and commitment, we are demonstrating that sustainable construction is already a reality in Mexico and that it can generate economic, environmental, and social value,” Garcia stated. 

The electrification of the facility reduces dependence on fossil fuels and reduces carbon emissions by an estimated 300 tons a year. The move is also expected to decrease internal noise pollution by 90%, eliminate traffic noise and cut energy costs by 67%. 

At present, Holcim manages over 77 ready-mix concrete plants, seven cement plants, and one grinding mill in Mexico, supporting over 5,000 direct jobs.

With reports from El Economista