Holcim allots P2 billion for co-processing, RE shift

MANILA, Philippines —  Cement maker Holcim Philippines Inc. is spending P2 billion over the next three years for co-processing and shifting to renewable energy in line with its commitment for sustainable manufacturing operations.

Holcim Philippines chief sustainability officer Samuel Manlosa Jr. said the company is pouring in P1 billion for the next three years for co-processing or to turn waste as a source of fuel to power its plants’ operations.

“That is evenly distributed across the four plants that we have. So the reason why it’s in three years is some plants [will] get it earlier than the others,” Manlosa said.

The company’s plants in Bulacan and La Union will be receiving the amount earlier, while the investments in the plants in Davao and Lugait in Misamis Oriental will be made next year.

According to Manlosa, the investments will support activities such as sorting, segregation and waste collection in local governments, processing of waste material to make fuel and improving the plants’ capacity to accept more fuel coming from waste.

Holcim Philippines president and CEO Horia Adrian said another P1 billion is being allocated by the company for its shift to renewable energy.

“We have projects to put in place solar power plants,” Adrian said, noting some are expected to be ready by the end of the year.

Adrian said the company is also investing in electric vehicles (EVs) to be used for its delivery of cement.

“We have already two EVs that we purchased last year. And we have in the pipeline to purchase more this year,” Adrian added.

According to Adrian, the company’s investments are targeted for sustainability, innovation and efficiency.

“Doing this, we are going to improve the output of the plants,” Adrian said.

The company is undertaking initiatives to help decarbonize construction and manage waste in the country.

While it has the ability to introduce more sustainable construction solutions, its contribution is being affected by the availability of cheap imported Portland cement, slowing the transition to low-carbon blended cement.

Even as the company welcomes the enactment of the Tatak Pinoy Act, which aims to support domestic manufacturers by providing preferential treatment to locally-produced goods in government projects, Adrian said the government should go beyond this by including other factors that matter to the country like promoting sustainability initiatives.

“If the government wants to reduce CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions, let’s make sure we include things like recycling, we include things like CO2 emissions, we include things like innovation. This has to be part of the buy local initiative,” Adrian said.