Holcim Mexico accelerates industrial decarbonisation through strategic investments and circular waste management

Holcim Mexico, through its subsidiary Geocycle, is driving a circular co-processing model that transforms municipal solid waste, industrial residues, and biomass into new energy resources and raw materials. With this approach, Holcim not only addresses environmental challenges but also reaffirms its commitment to decarbonizing the construction industry and achieving its global goal of becoming a net-zero company by 2050.

One of Mexico’s most pressing environmental challenges is the management of complex waste such as scrap tires. These materials, difficult to recycle through conventional means, represent major sources of pollution and health risks nationwide. This is where Geocycle’s model has become essential.

Since 2024, Geocycle has managed more than 100 000 t of scrap tires in Mexico. In total, Holcim Mexico processes over 550 000 t of industrial, commercial, and municipal waste, as well as agricultural residues – directly contributing to the reduction of more than 1.5 million t of CO2.

To accelerate the transition toward decarbonisation, Geocycle has invested over CHF 20 million in infrastructure in the past four years, focused on increasing waste-handling capacity and replacing fossil fuels. A recent milestone includes the installation of a new tire shredder at its Hermosillo plant (Sonora). With the capacity to recover over 35 000 tpy of tires, the project not only eliminates pollution sources and health risks but has also achieved remarkable technical results – fully replacing fossil fuels (petcoke) in the kiln and raising the plant’s thermal substitution rate (TSR) from 52.4% in 2023 to 60% in 2025, with a clear goal of surpassing 85% in the coming years.

“Our project in Hermosillo is just the beginning. We plan to scale it across all our operations, strengthening collaboration with environmental authorities, communities, and industry to replace fossil fuels. This reinforces our commitment to decarbonising construction and reaching a national TSR of 70% by 2030,” said Oscar Rivas, Director of Geocycle at Holcim Mexico.

Global CemFuels Award

The success of this innovation has been recognized internationally, earning the “Outstanding Alternative Fuel Project of the Year” award at the Global CemFuels Conference & Exhibition 2025, the world’s leading event specialising in alternative fuels, which attracts more than 200 international delegates and exhibitors each year.

Specifically, the Holcim–Geocycle Hermosillo project was recognised for its high TSR and advanced waste-processing technology, converting used tires into clean energy for cement production.

“This recognition validates that we are executing our net-zero vision with tangible results. And we’re not stopping in Hermosillo – our Tecomán plant will reach a TSR above 80% by the end of the year, positioning us at the forefront of sustainable construction in Latin America” said Adrián Belli, Cement Operations Director at Holcim Mexico.

With this project, Holcim Mexico demonstrates that sustainable construction is possible by combining operational efficiency with a positive environmental and social impact.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/23102025/holcim-mexico-accelerates-industrial-decarbonisation-through-strategic-investments-and-circular-waste-management/