THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
MILJAN GUTOVIC
CEO Holcim
Rapid urbanization driven by population growth is among the powerful megatrends transforming how we build. The world is adding a city the size of Madrid every single week - and will do so for decades to come. To meet this demand sustainably, a collaborative, systems-thinking approach to construction is needed.
As the leading partner for sustainable construction, Holcim is driving change. We engage with key decision makers across the building value chain including public authorities and urban planners, architects and engineers, developers and contractors. Our like-minded partners come to us for our comprehensive product offering and end-to-end building systems.
Together, we are creating the cities of tomorrow: sustainable, circular, durable, energy-efficient and smart.
Our EPD-certified ECOPlanet cement and ECOPact concrete enable green building standards like LEED and BREEAM, and are already being used to build sustainable cities.
European Patent Office, Vienna, Austria.
Built with ECOPact, ECOCycle® and Elevate inside
Credit: @ATP Architects
The shared opportunity to build sustainably is still in its early stages. Take circular construction, where Holcim can already make concrete that is 100% recyclable, using our ECOCycle® circular technology. Not only does this save on primary materials, it also promotes efficient and circular use of resources with locally used materials made for easy use and recycling. This is why we are opening recycling centers in the metropolitan areas where we operate to build cities from cities.
Energy-efficient repair and refurbishment is also essential to reshape our cities. Buildings in use account for 70% of the construction sector’s CO2 emissions - generated from heating, cooling and power - and some 80% of buildings will still exist in 2050. Supported by new regulations and incentives, we can prolong their lifespans while significantly improving energy efficiency.
Significant benefits include enhanced thermal and sound insulation enabling better quality of life. Holcim also supports cities worldwide with innovative retrofitting and renovation solutions. These range from energy-efficient insulation from Airium® and high-performance roofing from ZinCo through to PRB External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS).
Les Trèfles school, Anderlecht,Belgium, built with Elevate’s UltraPly™ TPO roofing system to provide maximum energy efficiency a durable foundation
As cities grow, they are doing so differently. We are seeing a significant rise in prefabrication and modular construction, where offsite production enhances onsite productivity. The result is greater construction efficiency, with cost reductions alongside enhanced quality. One great example is the precast concrete solutions Holcim offers for the most ambitious infrastructure projects.
In the face of climate change, Holcim has sustainable, durable solutions to withstand extreme weather and mitigate environmental impacts. These include green roofing systems by ZinCo that reduce the urban heat island effect while bringing nature into cities, Hydromedia water-permeable concrete to reduce flooding risk and recharge groundwater, and Basalton concrete blocks for long-lasting coastal protection.
Stade Nautique du Roucas Blanc, Marseille, France, built with calcined clay-based ECOPlanet
Finally, digital automation and smart design are superseding traditional construction methods. Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), are revolutionizing urban planning. At the same time, the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital twins are making building safer and more efficient, with improved cost management and reliability, while Holcim+ provides AI-enabled ordering and delivery.
At Holcim, we’re committed to partnering across the value chain to advance the future of sustainable construction with our high-value, end-to-end Building Materials and Building Solutions – from foundation and flooring to walling to roofing.
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