Aquasave: Reducing freshwater withdrawals across our concrete plants
Inside Holcim’s headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, Victor Pacheco, Innovation Process Manager from the global R&D team at Holcim Innovation Center, glances at at screen showing sophisticated digital water management dashboards that track our ready-mix concrete operations around the world.
“As we work to make construction more sustainable, water stewardship is a vital operational priority for Holcim,” he says.
“Water management data represents so much more than operational metrics. They reflect local ecosystems and communities where water is a precious resource.”
Holcim’s water reduction targets
Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy targets a 33% reduction in freshwater withdrawal per metric ton of cement produced in direct freshwater withdrawals by 2030 (compared to 2020). In concrete production we are targeting 15% freshwater withdrawal reduction per cubic meter of ready-mix concrete produced.
To turn these targets into daily operational reality, Holcim RMX concrete plants all over the world are using digital tools to optimize and track water usage, alongside the use of non-freshwater sources, such as treated wastewater from our partners’ facilities.
To reach our targets even quicker, Holcim has launched Aquasave – an initiative evaluating how we can replace large volumes of freshwater with treated wastewater across our ready-mix concrete production.
“This is based on our nature strategy and reflects our commitment to protect and restore precious freshwater resources,” Victor adds.
Holcim first launched Aquasave initiative in Ecuador with the pioneering sustainable water management project “Every Drop Builds”. By leveraging natural synergies with cross-industry partners, Holcim Ecuador reused water treated at their facilities for concrete production. One example is our San Eduardo plant, which will save 41 000 m³ of freshwater by 2029.
Inspired by Holcim Ecuador’s success, there are many new initiatives coming to life.
Holcim’s Nature Strategy targets were validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
Holcim was one of the first three companies to adapt science-based targets for nature, recognized by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) at COP16
Phasing out freshwater withdrawals in Mexico
Holcim Mexico is a global frontrunner in freshwater usage reduction. Twelve of our ready-mix plants have completely replaced freshwater during concrete production with treated wastewater, from the Compañia Mexicana de Aguas treatment facility, while the Toluca, Lerma and Tlaquepaque ready-mix plants use water sourced from the food and beverage industry, including from Bonafont, bottled water brand owned by Danone Group.
Harnessing industrial synergies and AI-Mapping to locate and evaluate nearby third-party water sources, Holcim Mexico’s strategic implementation of the Aquasave initiative has already saved over 95 million liters of freshwater per year, producing premium ready-mix concrete.
Responsible water management is far more than a corporate objective: it is a fundamental responsibility and strategic opportunity that drives us to innovate and safeguard life’s most precious resource.
We’re continuing to advance our water management initiatives here in Mexico. By reducing consumption, operational innovation, and impactful social action.
Pioneering water stewardship in Morocco
Through demographic and climatic changes, Morocco has been facing an intensifying water crisis for years, with estimated water supply numbers significantly below the UN’s threshold of water scarcity.
To reduce freshwater withdrawal in its operations, Holcim Morocco has launched the country’s first ready-mix concrete production using treated wastewater through Aquasave at its Tit Mellil plant near Casablanca.
Holcim Morocco partnered with a nearby wastewater treatment plant to source the water. Having installed a special tank and pump system, Tit Mellil reduces freshwater withdrawal by 30%, while maintaining top-notch concrete performance.
Building on this success, Holcim Morocco aims to multiply this success story with other water treatment plants and as well using treated water from the food and beverage industry.
Using water from a treatment plant in Australia
On Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Holcim Australia’s Kawana ready-mix plant serves as a long-term example of water stewardship by substituting freshwater with treated recycled water from a local wastewater treatment plant.
To balance operational requirements, the Kawana plant uses a highly efficient hybrid supply system – drawing from the municipal water grid only when necessary to supplement recycled treated wastewater.
The practical impact of this system is reflected in the plant’s current freshwater usage efficiency metrics, standing at 58 litres per cubic meter of concrete, which is 32% below Australia’s 2030 national freshwater use target of 180 litres per cubic meter.
By reducing its reliance on the local freshwater grid while maintaining operational excellence, the Kawana site demonstrates how regional partnerships and concrete formulation research can successfully support industrial water resilience.
Desalination and water from a treatment plant in the UAE
In the UAE, our Ready Mix Gulf business is fully aligned with regional municipal standards, utilizing desalinated water for concrete production to preserve natural freshwater resources.
Furthermore, by incorporating advanced Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems to treat and recycle sewage effluent, our facility produces high-quality, pure water tailored specifically for the production line. This dual strategy allows us to minimize our water footprint, support zero freshwater initiatives, and consistently maintain strict structural quality standards.
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