Holcim was founded as “Aargauische Portlandcementfabrik Holderbank-Wildegg” in 1912, in the village of Holderbank, Canton Aargau. From an early stage, it became clear that the domestic market could offer only limited opportunities for expansion.

In the years following 1945, and particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, a network of holdings began to develop in North and Latin America.

In the 1970s, Holcim began to explore ventures in the emerging markets of the Asia-Pacific region.

The name of the Group was changed from "Holderbank" Financière Glaris Ltd. to Holcim Ltd in May 2001.

By the early 1920s, the company began investing in cement businesses in other European countries. This trend was quickly followed by investments in Egypt, Lebanon and South Africa.

A strong focus on core business activities in cement, concrete and aggregates characterized Holcim’s activities during the 1990s. Continuing professional development programs for employees, coupled with a best practices policy, ensured challenges were met with creative solutions and company performance was enhanced. Entry into new markets, particularly within Asia, further expanded opportunities for the Group.

In the 1980s, Holcim continued to expand into new markets, including Eastern Europe. A greater focus on aggregates and ready-mixed concrete production strengthened the company’s position as a vertically integrated market leader.

Holcim entered into a strategic alliance with Gujarat Ambuja Cements to participate in the growth market of India, making a public purchase offer to the shareholders of The Associated Cement Companies (ACC) and Ambuja Cement Eastern. In the same year, Holcim acquired Aggregate Industries, thus entering the UK market and strengthening its aggregates and ready-mix concrete businesses in North America.

Holcim became the single biggest shareholder of Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd., the Group's strategic partner in China, and now holds a 39.9 percent stake in the company.