Holcim has inaugurated a new calcined clay production line at its Čížkovice plant in the Czech Republic, marking the company’s largest investment in the country to date. The project, valued at approximately CHF 40 million, represents a major step in scaling up Holcim’s low‑carbon cement offering across Central Europe.
The new line is the first dedicated calcined clay facility in the Czech Republic and will enable Holcim to supply 580,000 tonnes of ECOPlanet low‑carbon cement annually. With an annual calcined clay capacity exceeding 115,000 tonnes, sourced from Holcim’s local quarry, the technology partially replaces clinker in the kiln with calcined clay—reducing the cement’s carbon footprint by around 30% without compromising performance.
Major National Investment Supported by Modernization Fund
The Čížkovice project totals CZK 1 billion, of which CZK 330 million was financed through the Czech Ministry of the Environment’s Modernization Fund.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš praised the initiative, stating that the project demonstrates how national industry can remain modern, competitive and environmentally responsible. He emphasized that the investment combines technological innovation, domestic resource utilization and long‑term economic development.
Holcim’s Strategy to Scale Low‑Carbon Cement
Xavier Guesnu, Holcim’s Region Head for Central and Eastern Europe, described the commissioning of the line as a key milestone in expanding next‑generation ECOPlanet cement. He noted that the facility will support customers aiming to meet ambitious sustainability targets and reinforces Holcim’s role as a leading partner in sustainable construction.
The launch forms part of Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, which aims to expand calcined clay production globally. The Čížkovice line follows earlier developments, including Europe’s first dedicated calcined clay line opened in Saint‑Pierre‑la‑Cour, France, in 2023, and a major facility commissioned in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 2025.
About Holcim
Holcim (SIX: HOLN) is a global leader in sustainable construction, reporting CHF 15.7 billion in net sales in 2025 and employing more than 50,000 people across 45 countries. The company provides end‑to‑end building materials and solutions, powered by brands including ECOPact, ECOPlanet, ECOCycle and Ytong.
Cover Photo: Holcim LinkedIN
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Cementitious Materials International Technical & Trade Congress – Europe
28–29 October, Brussels, Belgium
A leading EMEA gathering on cementitious materials, market trends, regulatory updates, and regional opportunities.
CarbonZero Alternative Fuels & Raw Materials Global Conference & Exhibition 2026
Including Cementitious Europe – Congress
28–29 October, Brussels, Belgium
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- Maria del Mar Rojas, Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI)
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30 October, Brussels, Belgium
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Sustainability Conference and Exhibition to include Industry 5.0 – Smart Solutions for Cement and Construction Conference and Exhibition 2026 in São Paulo (World Trade Center)- will convene leading voices from across the global construction, engineering, and infrastructure sectors to address the urgent challenges of decarbonization, embodied carbon reduction, and climate resilience. As the sector undergoes a massive digital shift, this event also focuses on the technologies defining the next generation of building: AI-driven operations, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and human-centric industrial transformation.
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Josilene T. V. Ferrer – Senior Analyst of International Cooperation and Climate Change, CETESB – Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo
Carla Leal – CDP Market Director for LATAM | Board Members
Patrícia Iglecias – Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of São Paulo
Juan Padial – Managing Partner, Digital Supply Chain, KPMG
Felipe Salgado – Managing Partner of Decarbonization, KPMG
Rejane Afonso – Technical and Commercial Director, Monitore
Edilson Júnior – Manager of Innovation and Industrial Technology, Cimento Nacional
Cementitious Materials International Technical & Trade Congress – MEA
8–9 December, Morocco
The premier MEA event for cementitious materials, innovation, and regional trade opportunities.
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