Hydrogen for a Greener Tomorrow: How Holcim Is Powering the Future of Construction
As Europe accelerates its journey toward climate neutrality, leaders in construction, energy, and innovation are stepping up to turn ambition into action. One such leader is Holcim, a global front-runner in sustainable construction. At the European Hydrogen Giga-scale Generation & Storage Investment Summit 2025, Holcim reaffirmed its commitment to decarbonization by supporting a summit designed to ignite partnerships and innovation across the hydrogen value chain.
Hydrogen & Holcim: A Shared Vision for a Decarbonized Europe
Holcim’s backing of the 2025 summit is deeply aligned with its ‘NextGen Growth 2030’ strategy, which places sustainability at the heart of profitability. With construction responsible for approximately 40% of global CO₂ emissions, Holcim sees decarbonizing the built environment not only as a responsibility but also as a strategic growth opportunity.
Hydrogen plays a pivotal role in this transition. By integrating hydrogen as an alternative fuel and booster in its manufacturing processes, Holcim is increasing its Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR) while improving energy efficiency. The company is also exploring Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) to convert emissions into sustainable fuels—setting a precedent for circular, low-carbon construction.
From Cement to Sustainable Jet Fuel: Inside Holcim’s Trailblazing ECO2FLY Project
At the heart of Holcim’s decarbonization efforts lies ECO2FLY, a pioneering Power-to-Liquid (PtL) initiative that redefines what’s possible in industrial transformation. In collaboration with IGNIS P2X and Exolum, Holcim is developing this innovative project at its Villaluenga de la Sagra plant in Toledo, Spain, with the goal of producing sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) by combining green hydrogen with captured CO₂ from its cement operations. This initiative not only contributes to the decarbonization of construction but also targets the hard-to-abate aviation sector, creating a powerful synergy between two high-emission industries.
Strategically located less than 70 kilometers from Madrid-Barajas Airport, Southern Europe’s largest aviation hub, the site benefits from excellent logistical infrastructure, including direct access to the Spanish rail network and proximity to low-cost renewable power sources through the national grid. Additionally, the project will use recycled water from a nearby Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), underscoring Holcim’s commitment to circular resource use. By repurposing existing industrial assets and land, ECO2FLY is designed for sustainable growth from the ground up.
The environmental and economic impact of ECO2FLY is substantial. Over the first ten years of operation, the project is expected to avoid around 7 million tons of CO₂ emissions, while producing up to 100,000 tons of e-SAF annually. This not only supports climate goals but also bolsters the green economy. ECO2FLY will involve a projected investment of €4 billion in industrial and renewable capital expenditure, creating over 900 skilled jobs directly and indirectly, along with an average of 2,500 jobs annually during the construction phase.
The roadmap for ECO2FLY is ambitious yet clearly defined. The project began with early development in 2025 and 2026, moving into execution and construction phases by 2028. It is slated to reach commercial operation in 2029, with full-scale operations ramping up through 2031 and beyond.
Through ECO2FLY, Holcim is not only advancing its own Net-Zero Roadmap, but also helping catalyze systemic change across sectors. This initiative exemplifies how industrial emitters can transform their value chains and lead the transition toward a circular, low-carbon economy, proving that the future of sustainable aviation—and sustainable construction—is already being built.
Scaling Hydrogen: Challenges & Opportunities
Holcim recognizes that scaling hydrogen across Europe is not without obstacles. Regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure costs, and technological maturity remain key hurdles. However, the opportunity lies in building robust public-private partnerships, investing in research and innovation, and nurturing a supportive policy framework that enables green infrastructure at scale.
For Holcim, hydrogen is more than a fuel—it’s a catalyst. Whether used to boost the combustion of biomass-based alternative fuels in kilns or to create value-added green products like e-SAF, hydrogen offers flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability in one package.
Creating Synergies: Summit Outcomes and Strategic Engagement
At the European Hydrogen Giga-scale Generation & Storage Investment Summit 2025, Holcim connected with startups, investors, and policy makers to explore how hydrogen solutions can be scaled effectively. The event showcased Spain and Castilla-La Mancha’s leadership in hydrogen innovation, with Holcim highlighting opportunities for regional and sectoral integration.
The summit wasn’t just a platform for discussion—it was a launchpad for collaboration. For Holcim, it’s about enabling ecosystems that translate R&D into real-world impact, from pilot plants to commercial scale.
Advice to Startups and Investors: Build Bold, Build Smart
Holcim’s message to emerging players in the hydrogen economy is clear: innovate for impact. Focus on scalable, cost-effective solutions that meet the immediate needs of industry, while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in clean energy. Strategic alliances, robust research, and a willingness to tackle infrastructure gaps head-on will be key to unlocking the full potential of hydrogen.
Holcim: Leading the Way to Net-Zero Construction
As Holcim forges ahead on its Net-Zero Roadmap, hydrogen will continue to be central to its decarbonization strategy. But more importantly, Holcim is setting a blueprint for other industries—demonstrating that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand when innovation leads the way.
From fueling the next generation of green aviation to building carbon-neutral cities, Holcim is not just participating in the hydrogen economy—it’s helping define it.
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