The year 2024 at Holcim Poland was marked by brand transformation and groundbreaking changes in the company’s operations. In February, the company underwent a name change, with the Lafarge brand, present in the Polish market for over 20 years, being replaced by Holcim. Last year, the company made significant investments in development and innovative solutions, as well as acquisitions that strengthened its position in the building materials market. Holcim also expanded its portfolio to include products with a reduced carbon footprint, contributing to the development of sustainable solutions for the construction industry.
Key Investments
The largest project in 2024 was the completion of the modernization of the Małogoszcz Cement Plant. As a result, the cement plant significantly reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 20% and energy consumption by around 30%, while maintaining its production levels. Additionally, the first waste heat recovery (WHR) installation in Poland was established at the plant, allowing for the recovery of energy equivalent to several hectares of photovoltaic panels. This made the plant one of the most modern and low-emission facilities in Europe.
Maciej Sypek, CEO of Holcim Poland, said:
“We underwent a transformation, yet we continue to build a strong team that develops our projects and sets the direction for the industry’s sustainable future. Our vision is to be a market leader in solutions for modern construction and a pioneer in decarbonization and the circular economy. We are moving forward and expanding our offer to include products with a reduced carbon footprint and recycled materials, becoming a partner offering comprehensive, innovative solutions. At the same time, we focus on cooperation with local partners. Currently, as much as 97% of our purchases are made from companies registered in Poland,” said Maciej Sypek, CEO of Holcim Poland. “At Holcim Poland, we look to the future with courage, setting new standards in construction. In 2025, we plan to continue key projects, develop pioneering technologies, and set the course for sustainable construction in Poland,” added Sypek.
Another important project completed in 2024 was the launch of the ARM Platform at the Kujawy Cement Plant. The platform is designed for the management of alternative fuels and is one of the most modern facilities of its kind in the industry. It features an advanced line that enables the use of entirely new raw materials and mineral waste in production processes. This will allow the Geocycle team to more effectively source new types of raw materials from the market, boosting efforts in decarbonization and the circular economy.
At the Holcim concrete plant in Krakow, an innovative solution was implemented to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The equipment used to produce ready-mix concrete (RMX) is the first of its kind in the country. It involves the implementation of a frequency converter with an energy recovery module in the modernized drive system of the crane.
Acquisitions
Thanks to acquisitions in Eurobud and CemEnergy in 2024, Holcim strengthened its position in the ready-mix concrete and alternative fuel markets. The acquisition of Eurobud expanded customer opportunities in the ready-mix concrete sector in northern Poland. The CemEnergy acquisition, in turn, increased flexibility in alternative fuel production. Some of the fuels are used at the Małogoszcz Cement Plant, while the rest is sold on the market.
Innovative Solutions and New Products
In November, Holcim became the first company in Poland to introduce cement with the addition of recycled construction concrete, containing over 10% demolition material. This innovative cement combines modern technology with environmental responsibility, and the use of recycled materials makes it a unique product on the Polish market. Currently, the company processes more than 2 million tons of demolition waste annually, giving it a second life in its materials.
In 2024, Holcim also supplied material for the world’s first drinking water tank 3D printed in concrete. This groundbreaking project represents a major step in the automation of concrete construction and sustainable development.
Trade and Logistics
In the trade and distribution area, a key change was the integration of sales of Izolbet and bagged cement. The goal of the new organization was to expand the presence of all building chemicals, polystyrene products, and bagged cement by approximately 25% in construction supply stores, DIY chains, and with contractors. It also aimed to improve customer service by better reaching clients through regional advisors.
Source: Manager Plus