Introduction to Holcim Mexico’s Waste Management Initiative
One of the major environmental challenges is managing complex waste, such as discarded tires, which often accumulate in landfills or urban areas, posing health risks. However, Holcim Mexico has transformed this environmental issue into an opportunity to reduce emissions in the construction sector.
Geocycle: Holcim’s Specialized Unit for Co-processing Waste
Through Geocycle, Holcim’s specialized unit for co-processing waste, the company has developed a model that integrates these materials into the cement production chain.
Key Achievements and Investments
Since 2024, Holcim has managed over 100,000 tonnes of discarded tires and 550,000 tonnes of industrial, commercial, municipal, and agroindustrial waste. This effort has prevented the emission of over 1.5 million tonnes of CO2.
To accelerate the transition towards decarbonization, Holcim has invested over 20 million Swiss francs in the past four years, focusing on increasing waste management capacity and replacing fossil fuels within cement plants.
Recent Developments: New Tire Shredder in Hermosillo, Sonora
One of the latest initiatives is the new tire shredder at Holcim’s Hermosillo plant, capable of processing 35,000 tonnes of tires annually.
This project has enabled a 100% substitution of petcoke in the calciner, raising the thermal substitution rate (TSR) from 52.4% in 2023 to 60% in 2025, with the goal of surpassing 85% in the coming years.
Commitment to Decarbonization
“Our Hermosillo project is just the beginning, as we will scale it across all our operations, strengthening collaboration with environmental authorities, society, and industry to replace fossil fuels. We reaffirm our commitment to decarbonize construction and work towards the national thermal substitution rate target of 70% by 2030,” stated Óscar Rivas, Director of Geocycle at Holcim Mexico.
Internationally Recognized Innovation
Holcim’s circular economy approach has positioned the company as a global reference. Holcim’s Hermosillo plant was internationally recognized with the “Outstanding Alternative Fuel Project of the Year” award at the Global CemFuels Conference & Exhibition 2025.
The recognition highlights Holcim’s advanced waste processing technology, converting used tires into clean energy for cement production, along with its high thermal substitution rate (TSR), one of the highest in Latin America.
Future Goals
“This recognition validates that we are executing our net-zero vision with tangible results. We won’t stop in Hermosillo; as part of this journey, our Tecomán plant will operate by the end of the year with a TSR above 80%, a milestone that positions us at the forefront of sustainable construction in Latin America,” noted Adrián Belli, Director of Cement Operations at Holcim Mexico.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Holcim Mexico’s initiative? Holcim Mexico manages discarded tires and industrial waste through its Geocycle unit, integrating these materials into cement production to reduce emissions.
- What achievements has Holcim Mexico reached? The company has managed over 100,000 tonnes of discarded tires and 550,000 tonnes of various waste types, preventing over 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
- What investments has Holcim made for decarbonization? Holcim invested over 20 million Swiss francs in waste management capacity and replacing fossil fuels within cement plants.
- What is the new tire shredder project in Hermosillo? Holcim’s new tire shredder in Hermosillo processes 35,000 tonnes of tires annually, enabling a 100% substitution of petcoke in the calciner and raising the TSR.
- What recognition has Holcim received for its efforts? Holcim’s Hermosillo plant was awarded the “Outstanding Alternative Fuel Project of the Year” at the Global CemFuels Conference & Exhibition 2025 for its advanced waste processing technology and high TSR.
