Holcim CEO: Europe's Housing Shortage, Decarbonising Cement and Why Complacency Is the Enemy

Holcim operates at the bedrock of modern civilization, supplying essential building materials like concrete to a fragmented global market. Under CEO Miljan Gutovic, the company is undergoing a rapid transformation, prioritizing innovation and sustainability to drive profitable growth. Eco-friendly products now account for over one-third of sales, as the firm leverages formulation know-how to reduce CO2 footprints and costs simultaneously. AI integration enhances operational efficiency in complex industrial plants, targeting 200 million Swiss francs in net benefits by 2028. While the company maintains a decentralized structure to foster local performance, it enforces strict cost discipline and continuous benchmarking to eliminate organizational complacency. Future growth strategies focus on European housing recovery, infrastructure demands from increased defense spending, and expansion in Latin American markets, all while maintaining a core commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.