Holcim Ecuador has been officially recognized as an eco-innovative company by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The company received 12 Punto Verde certifications and two Punto Azul recognitions, highlighting its practices in circular economy, clean production, and efficient water management.
The awards ceremony took place at Holcim Ecuador’s Guayaquil plant. It was attended by Alicia Jaramillo Cabo, Vice Minister of Environment and Coastal Marine; Freddy Muñoz Tobar, Vice Minister of Water; María Daniela Limongi, Executive Director of the Water Regulation and Control Agency (ARCA); and company executives.
The 12 Punto Verde certifications were granted to Holcim plants in Ambato, Cuenca, Quito, Guayaquil, and Manabí. These certifications confirm that circular economy principles are systematically integrated into the company’s production processes. Technical inspections showed full legal compliance with no observations or irregularities.
Key outcomes include a 47% efficiency indicator for the use of recycled materials, saving approximately 153,000 tons through the substitution of virgin raw materials. There was also a reduction of about 3.3% in electricity consumption per ton of clinker from September 2023 to August 2025 as part of energy management aligned with ISO 50001 standards.
In terms of circularity efforts, Holcim Ecuador reuses industrial by-products such as slags and synthetic gypsum. The company also retreads tires from its fleet, recycles hydraulic oils, and is increasing solar energy use through photovoltaic panels to support decarbonization in construction.
The two Punto Azul recognitions were awarded to the Pascuales concrete plant and the Guayaquil cement plant for their real reductions in water footprint. At Pascuales, nearly 3,000 cubic meters of water from other industries were used over one year under an Industrial Symbiosis model. This was supplemented by rainwater collection systems (Aquacell) and high-pressure washers to achieve a 40% reduction in fresh water consumption.
At the Guayaquil cement plant, rainwater collection lagoons allowed more than 71,000 cubic meters to be used in production processes—resulting in a 17% reduction in water footprint.
During the event María Iglesias, Chief Financial Officer at Holcim Ecuador stated: “A cement company is usually measured by tons of cement or cubic meters of concrete. Today the Ministry invites us to measure ourselves differently: by the footprint we stop leaving on our environment. Receiving these Punto Verde and Punto Azul distinctions confirms a conviction we have held for many years: this century any business that is not sustainable will fail. Today we are honored to be recognized as an eco-innovative company—with pride but also with humility.”
Vice Minister Alicia Jaramillo added: “That Holcim has received twelve Punto Verde certifications is a very important milestone. The verifications confirmed one hundred percent compliance with legal requirements without observations. This shows it is possible to move towards cleaner industry that integrates circular economy into concrete production decisions while strengthening sector competitiveness.”
These recognitions reaffirm sustainability as a strategic pillar for Holcim Ecuador’s long-term commitments such as Net Zero climate goals for 2050 and becoming a Water Positive company by 2030—contributing toward more resilient development models nationally.
Photographic material related to this event can be found at https://bibliotecaholcimecuador.myportfolio.com/entrega-de-puntos-verdes-y-azules
