Holcim amplifies call for sustainable construction to Philippine architects, Asian cement makers

Leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines reiterated calls to accelerate the shift to sustainable construction in a series of activities with Philippine architects and Asian cement industry players.

During the United Architects of the Philippines’s 49th National Convention from April 18 to 21, Holcim Philippines engaged with over a thousand local architects and architecture students through a booth featuring its high-performance and environment-friendly green cements and innovative sustainable building solutions. Among the brands showcased was Tector, its line of dry-mix mortars providing superior performance for plastering and tile-laying.

At the 23rd CemenTrade Asia Summit, a gathering of Asian cement manufacturing leaders on April 23-24, Holcim Philippines President and CEO Horia Adrian highlighted how the company’s accelerating decarbonization and circularity transformation is raising performance and supporting sustainable development.

Adrian highlighted the company’s success in growing blended cement volumes, increasing alternative fuels and raw materials usage, raising operational efficiencies with digitalization, and moving towards renewable energy. He added that while Holcim Philippines is making great progress in supporting climate-friendly and natural resource-efficient growth, closer collaboration with policymakers and construction industry professionals is needed to make sustainability the norm. 

“These engagements are important to build ties that accelerate sustainable construction, which presents a tremendous opportunity for our sector to grow our economic contribution and positive developmental impact. To do this, we will continue programs and advocacies on building more with less materials, recycling materials from old buildings to construct new ones, and using smart design and materials,” he said.

Holcim Philippines Chief Sustainability Officer Samuel Manlosa, Jr. also moderated a panel on the role of policymakers and possible collaboration with cement makers in advancing the country’s net zero and sustainability goals. With Manlosa in the panel were Jerome Ilagan, Climate Change Commission Chief of Policy Research and Development, Juliana Vergara, Department of Public Works and Highways’ Bureau of Research Standards Assistant Director, and Christopher de la Cruz,  Philippine Green Building Council CEO.