Holcim has earmarked EUR900,000 to carry out a series of capex projects in 2017 at its Carboneras plant in Spain. Projects will include a system for collecting and treating rainwater and improve the roofing on some material storage areas.

In 2016 the Carboneras works has invested more than EUR120,000 in various initiative to reduce its environmental impact and in best-available practice technology, including the installation of a new wastewater treatment plant, optimisation of bulk handling operations to reduce emissions. Work continued on the maintenance of the restored quarry as well as carry out new planting. In the last quarter of the year, work began on the restoration of a new area of 850m2, in line with the Restoration Plan. The company also launched a pilot project on photodegradation of arid zones.

In addition, the facility raised its thermal substitution rate by eight per cent, replacing 28 per cent of its traditional fuels with waste. As a result, around 12,200t of CO2 emissions were avoided.

The plant contributed EUR13.6m to the local economy in 2016. Around half of its output was exported to countries such as France, Portugal, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria and Togo.