Holcim improves safety, carbon, water metrics

Holcim Group’s 2013 Corporate Sustainability Report details ongoing activities in sustainable development and discloses data on a number of key sustainability performance indicators. “Reflecting our vision to provide foundations for society’s future sustainable environmental performance and corporate responsibility are firm parts of Holcim’s business strategy,” notes CEO Bernard Fontana. “This mindset has also been part of the foundation of our Holcim Leadership Journey and the performance indicators we release with the report confirm that we are making further progress in reaching our sustainability targets.”

Occupational Health and Safety is the number one priority for Holcim and key to ensuring continued business success, he adds. In 2013, Holcim achieved a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate for direct employees of 1.3, and will continue to pursue a “Zero Harm to People” objective. The producer is on track to achieve its target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per ton of cement by 25 percent by 2015, compared to 1990, and by the end of last year had achieved a reduction of 24.3 percent. It remains the leader in the industry with the lowest carbon intensity per ton of powder; moreover, in 2013, Holcim had an average of 69.8 percent clinker in its cement, among the lowest in the industry. Work has also continued with the Holcim Water Management System. In 2012, an efficiency target was announced to reduce water consumption 20 percent per ton of product by 2020.