CHICAGO, April 3, 2025 – Holcim North America, a recognized leader in sustainable and high-performance building materials, has been honored with three prestigious awards from the Slag Cement Association (SCA) at the 2024 Slag Cement in Sustainable Concrete Awards. The company’s innovative work across a diverse set of projects earned it wins in both the Lower Carbon Concrete and Durability categories.

The awards were presented during a ceremony on April 2, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario, recognizing leaders in the use of slag cement—a key supplementary cementitious material used to reduce carbon and enhance concrete performance.

“We are honored to receive three SCA awards, recognizing our dedication to resilient building across a diverse range of projects, from infrastructure to community spaces,” said Patrick Cleary, senior vice president of Cement Sales at Holcim. “Our solutions fuse longevity with performance, transforming the way we build our cities back better, while also addressing pressing challenges such as aging infrastructure.”

Award-Winning Projects: Innovation Across Infrastructure and Community

Holcim’s three award-winning projects highlight its strategic use of slag cement to drive sustainability and strength in both public and private developments:

1. Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance – Lower Carbon Concrete Category

For the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, Holcim partnered with Stoneway Concrete and Sellen Construction to create a low-carbon practice facility. By integrating slag cement into the mix design, the team achieved a 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared to regional averages. The project also fulfilled 80% of the targeted reductions established by the First Movers Coalition for Concrete by 2030 — well ahead of schedule.

2. Middle Road and Hanover Street Intersection, Route 1, Newbury, MA – Durability Category

In Massachusetts’ first concrete paving project in 50 years, Holcim contributed to the long-term success of this infrastructure milestone. The intersection project, under MassDOT, showcased how slag cement improves compressive strength, durability, and even the color and lightness of concrete. The pavement is designed for a projected service life exceeding 75 years, setting a new standard for regional infrastructure.

3. MnDOT Interstate 94 Slag Cement Study – Lower Carbon Concrete Category

As part of a pioneering research effort, Holcim supported the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in evaluating four different slag cement systems. Conducted on a stretch of Interstate 94, the study aimed to demonstrate both performance enhancements and clinker reduction potential — key factors in reducing the embodied carbon of concrete pavements.

Leadership in Sustainable Construction

Since 2010, the Slag Cement Association has spotlighted the role of slag cement in promoting sustainability within the construction industry. Holcim’s consistent recognition across a wide array of categories—including Architectural, Innovation, Infrastructure, and High Performance—reinforces its commitment to low-carbon development.

“Our solutions fuse longevity with performance, transforming the way we build our cities back better,” Cleary emphasized.

About Holcim

Holcim operates nearly 350 sites across 43 U.S. states and employs over 7,000 people, providing innovative solutions that deliver both structural performance and environmental benefits. In 2023, Holcim posted global net sales of CHF 27.0 billion, with a workforce of more than 63,000 employees worldwide. The company’s leading-edge offerings include ECOPact, ECOPlanet, and ECOCycle®, all designed to accelerate sustainable construction and a circular economy.

To learn more, visit: https://www.holcim.us

Originally reported by Holcim US in PR Newswire.