Early industrial era and rise of concrete

Holcim is founded in Holderbank, Switzerland – the country that it still calls home. After a merger, the company starts expanding internationally from the 1920s.

Note: Holcim was originally called 'Holderbank' for much of the 20th century, and derives its modern name from 'Holderbank' and 'Ciment'.

• 1912 – Adolf Gygi founds the company that would become Holcim: “Aargauische Portlandcement-Fabrik Holderbank-Wildegg” in Holderbank, Switzerland, and opens a cement plant. 
   
• 1914 – The company merges with Rheintalische Cementfabrik Rüti, bringing industrialist Ernst Schmidheiny Sr. into the leadership team to initiate the family’s century-long stewardship. 
   
• 1922 – Holderbank begins its international expansion with acquisitions in Western and Southern Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium and Greece. 
   
• 1942 – Holderbank opens the Technical Center Holderbank, its first research and development center.

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Rapid growth in Switzerland and abroad

Benefitting from a post-war rebound, Holderbank grows rapidly in Switzerland by supplying hydroelectric dams and highways projects, and expands further abroad.

• 1952 – Holderbank expands into North America. 
   
• 1958 – Holderbank is listed on the Zurich and Basel stocks exchanges to raise expansion capital 
   
• 1962 – Holderbank begins operations in Latin America. 
   
• 1970s – Facing severe energy shocks, Holderbank focuses on plant modernization, energy efficiency and kiln fuel conversion. 
   
• 1974 – Holderbank moves into Asia.

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Vertical integration and shift to modern era

Under Thomas Schmidheiny’s tenure as CEO from 1978, Holcim enters its modern era, and develops a vertically integrated model of cement, concrete and aggregates.

• 1980 – Holderbank expands into Spain. 
   
• 1980 – Holderbank develops its focus on aggregates and ready-mix concrete. 
   
• 1990 – Holderbank extends its presence across Eastern Europe, China, India and Southeast Asia.

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Mega projects and industry leadership

Holcim becomes a unified global brand, and focuses strongly on M&A to expand in Asia and Australia, while establishing itself as a global cement and aggregates producer.

• 2001 – Holderbank officially becomes “Holcim Ltd.” following a vote at the Annual General Meeting. 
   
• 2007 – Holcim is named “Leader of the Industry” in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the third consecutive year. 
   
• 2009 – Holcim expands into Australia and becomes the country’s leading supplier of aggregates and ready-mix concrete.

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Rapid urbanization and digitalization

A mega merger shapes Holcim’s modern status, while we began focusing on more sustainable building solutions and laying the groundwork for AI-driven manufacturing. 

• 2010 – Holcim earns early inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Carbon Disclosure Project.
   
• 2015 – Holcim and Lafarge complete their merger to create a new leader in building materials.
   
• 2018 – Holcim launches Strategy 2022 – Building for Growth and pivots towards sustainable building solutions.
   
• 2019 – Holcim launches Plants of Tomorrow, its Industry 4.0 program.

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Leading partner for sustainable construction

Holcim becomes the first in our sector to have a full net-zero pathway approved by SBTi. Under CEO Miljan Gutovic, we are executing our NextGen Growth 2030 strategy.

Holcim’s focus is on growing in the most attractive markets, sustainability driving profitable growth and expanding high-value Building Solutions, underpinned by our culture of performance and value creation.

• 2020 – Holcim launches ECOPact low-carbon concrete globally. 
   
• 2021 – Holcim is officially rebranded as Holcim Ltd. 
   
• 2021 – Holcim becomes the first in its sector with a full net-zero pathway endorsed by SBTi. 
   
• 2023 – Holcim launches ECOCycle circular technology globally. 
   
• 2023 – Holcim opens its Holcim Innovation Hub in Lyon, France. 
   
• 2024 – Miljan Gutovic becomes CEO. 
   
• 2024 – Holcim is one of three companies worldwide to adopt science-based targets for nature. 
   
• 2025 – Holcim launches its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy. 
   
• 2025 – Holcim spins off its North America business to focus on attractive markets in Europe, Latin America and Asia, the Middle East and Africa. 
   
• 2026 – Holcim acquires Xella, a leader in the highly attractive European walling market

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