Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic discusses how the building materials giant is transforming through innovation and sustainability, with concrete being the second most consumed material after water. The company leverages AI to optimize operations and targets net zero emissions by 2050, turning waste into fuel to reduce costs and CO2.
Summarized by Podsumo
Concrete is the second most consumed material after water, with 30 billion tons used annually worldwide.
Holcim aims for 200 million Swiss francs in net benefits from AI by 2028, using predictive algorithms to optimize plant maintenance.
Europe faces a shortage of nearly 10 million homes, with recent permitting approvals signaling a potential recovery.
Holcim was the first in its industry to commit to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, with innovations like alternative fuels and carbon capture.
The company uses waste materials as alternative fuel, reducing both costs and CO2 emissions.
"After water, concrete is the second most consumed material on earth. We use approximately 30 billion tons of concrete every single year."
"Sustainability is a driver of profitable growth. We are doing it because it's the right thing to do, and for us it makes perfect business sense."
"AI is giving us warning signals that something might go wrong in a section of the plant, allowing us to plan maintenance better. This is not about laying off people."