Cemex announce it has been awarded Water Stewardship Programme of the Year at the 2026 Global Water Awards, recognising its initiative to reduce freshwater use in concrete production in Mexico.
The award, presented by Global Water Intelligence at the Global Water Summit in Madrid, highlights Cemex’s “Freshwater-Free Concrete” programme, which aims to replace potable water in industrial processes with alternative sources such as treated municipal and industrial wastewater.
Cemex reported a 67% freshwater substitution rate across its Mexican concrete operations in 2025, surpassing its internal 65% target for the year. The company estimates the initiative saved water equivalent to the daily consumption of roughly nine million people.
“Freshwater-Free Concrete demonstrates how Cemex is transforming water stewardship into scalable operational solutions,” said Ricardo Naya, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, Operations, and Ventures at Cemex. “By transitioning from freshwater sources to alternative water solutions, we are reducing pressure on strained water resources while strengthening the resilience and efficiency of our operations.”
This initiative is part of Cemex’s broader sustainability strategy, Future in Action, which focuses on smart decarbonisation and responsible use of natural resources. Within this framework, water is a strategic priority, supported by targeted management roadmaps in water-stressed regions and site-specific action plans to reduce freshwater withdrawal, mitigate water-related risks, and scale circular water solutions across operations.
The programme is based on collaboration with industrial and municipal stakeholders to repurpose treated wastewater and reduce pressure on local aquifers, supporting a more circular approach to water use.
During 2025, Cemex implemented non-freshwater processes at 61 additional ready-mix plants in Mexico. Of those sites, 31 have been certified as “Zero Freshwater Concrete Plants” by Spanish standards body AENOR. The company also said it doubled its sustainable concrete output between 2024 and 2025, while reducing freshwater consumption per cubic meter of concrete.
The Global Water Awards recognise corporate programmes that deliver measurable benefits for water conservation and community resilience.
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