Holcim US joins the US Department of Energy (DOE) Better Climate Challenge to strengthen its commitment to a net-zero future

• Holcim US pledges a minimum net reduction 25 percent CO2 emissions and cement plants powered with 100 percent renewable energy within 10 years
• Company leads cement sector in signing onto the DOE program

Green building materials leader Holcim US announced it has joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Climate Challenge to drive real-world action that reduces carbon emissions and saves energy. The Chicago-based company is the first cement producer to commit to the DOE program.

Holcim US’ involvement in the Better Climate Challenge reflects its ambitious goal to power US operations at 13 cement plants nationwide with 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. For the Better Climate Challenge, which unites organizations across the economy in a pledge to set and achieve notable greenhouse gas reductions across a 10-year period, Holcim restated its renewable energy pledge and committed to reduce CO2 emissions in the US by at least 25 percent by 2033.

“Holcim has worked hard to lower CO2 and find alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels, but to successfully meet our net-zero goals, it’s really not a solo sport,” said Michael LeMonds, vice president, ESG and Chief Sustainability Officer. “We’re proud to be first in our sector to join the Better Climate Challenge and partner with the Department of Energy and member companies to innovate and identify new opportunities for carbon reduction.”

Holcim cement plant states are actively supported by solar and wind power. At its Paulding, Ohio, cement plant, three onsite wind turbines contribute more than 11,529,748 renewable kilowatt hours to the plant’s energy needs annually. This eliminates 9,000 tons of CO2 a year. At the Hagerstown, Maryland, facility, a new solar field is generating up to 18,441,610 kilowatt hours of renewable power supplying more than 28 percent of the plant’s energy. This will reduce the equivalent of 14,406 tons of CO2 at this plant. All 13 Holcim cement plants will conduct reviews to identify projects that could contribute to meeting goals of the challenge.

With grant support from the DOE, Holcim is also investigating the feasibility of using carbon capture utilization storage (CCUS) at cement plants in Portland, Colorado, and Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

In addition to involvement in the Better Climate Challenge, Holcim US is a continuing partner of the DOE’s Better Plants Challenge, sharing facility-level energy data and solutions to help guide other industrial companies with implementing energy solutions in their facilities.