Holcim brings global expertise to the New Zealand building and construction industry with their reliable and sustainable concrete products

Written by

19 February 2025

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4 min read

More than just a concrete supplier, Holcim is a force for positive change and development on a local and global level, with a range of innovative products and services that address their clients’ most critical challenges.

Holcim has been a mainstay in the New Zealand building industry for over 130 years, supplying cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and other building solutions and products for projects nationwide.

Operating their 22 ready-mix concrete plants, eight cement depots with two terminals, and two quarries across New Zealand under sustainable practices, the business has set its sights on empowering the industry to ‘build better with less’.

“Through advanced research and development, Holcim concrete products are designed to address our client’s most critical challenges: from reducing the embodied carbon footprint of concrete and buildings, to the cost and speed of construction and worksite productivity.” Image: Geostone Project at Bonnie's Lighthouse.

Sustainable building with Holcim’s low-carbon concrete

Concrete is the second most consumed substance (after water) in the world. In fact, 70% of the world's population lives in a structure that contains concrete. Due to this, it is estimated that it contributes to about 8% of the world's total CO2 emissions. However, thanks to ongoing research and development from businesses including Holcim, sustainable concrete products are now more accessible than ever.

“Holcim New Zealand offers the most innovative range of ready-mix concrete,” says Holcim’s Steve Urquhart. “Through advanced research and development, Holcim concrete products are designed to address our client’s most critical challenges: from reducing the embodied carbon footprint of concrete and buildings, to the cost and speed of construction and worksite productivity.”

Thanks to the business's position as a leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions worldwide, Steve says Holcim’s global expertise really benefits local customers.

“Our Aotearoa, New Zealand customers are connected to advanced technology from our experts located locally and globally. Our local engineering and technical teams have decades of combined experience and have made significant contributions to some of New Zealand’s most technical, award-winning, building and construction projects.

“We are passionate about empowering our customers across all regions to ‘build better with less’, using our broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, including ECOPact concrete, ECOPlanet cement and ENVIROCore cement replacements.”

Committed to being globally net-zero by 2050, Holcim is taking a holistic approach to sustainability, recognising that it’s not just products, but practices and people that need to be sustainable, too.

“We are driven by our purpose to build progress for people and the planet, putting our expertise to work to help decarbonise Aotearoa, New Zealand. Our passion and high-performance culture inspire us to deliver the most innovative and sustainable building solutions that can accelerate the world’s decarbonisation transformation,” Steve explains.

“As global leaders in innovative and sustainable building solutions, we understand that we play an essential role in accelerating our world’s transition towards a net zero and more inclusive future. This is why we seek any opportunity to produce lower carbon products, to manufacture and operate in a more sustainable way.”

“Our Aotearoa, New Zealand customers are connected to advanced technology from our experts located locally and globally. Our local engineering and technical teams have decades of combined experience and have made significant contributions to some of New Zealand’s most technical, award-winning, building and construction projects."

Designed for beauty and durability, Holcim's new decorative concrete range, featuring 12 contemporary colours, provides a high-quality appearance and a practical alternative to paving, asphalt, marble, or timber. Image: Geostone Project at Antares Court.

Products and projects for all sectors

Holcim is proud to be involved in projects of all sizes across Aotearoa, from small residential projects to large commercial and infrastructure projects.

“We deliver ongoing quality solutions and services to our valued partners from the beginning of the design phase to completion. For residential projects, we’re typically supplying concrete for house slabs, walkways and driveways. Commercial and infrastructure projects use concrete for anything from foundations, piles, slabs, and columns to walls, footpaths, trenches and more.”

A recent addition to the Holcim New Zealand product catalogue is a decorative ready-mix coloured concrete range that incorporates the strength, durability, and affordability of Holcim’s original concrete. Designed for beauty and durability, the range of 12 contemporary colours provides a high-quality appearance and a practical alternative to paving, asphalt, marble, or timber. Suitable for both residential and commercial projects, this new range is a great way to achieve a gorgeous, natural finish across a variety of applications.

If you’re interested in working with Holcim on your next project, contact the team today.

Learn more about Holcim.