Foundations 19 – Infrastructure Space

The CEO of LafargeHolcim is involved every day with the materi- alization of construction projects. But Eric Olsen knows that infra- structure includes much more than just what is built. “The word infrastructure has a broad definition,” he says. “Infrastructure sys- tems facilitate flows of people, goods, resources, and information. These days, that can apply as much to technology as it does to construction.” Nevertheless, the building materials industry still deals with infra- structure mainly in the traditional sense. With good reason, because after all, the history of many companies in the sector – including LafargeHolcim – is closely linked with large-scale infrastructure projects. As an example, Eric Olsen cited the 200,000 tonnes of hy- draulic lime the company delivered to Egypt 150 years ago to build the Suez Canal. “The canal has certainly stood the test of time,” says Olsen. “But a good deal has changed since our business forefathers fulfilled that contract in 1864.” Today the construction industry is aware that construction lifecycles can influence individuals, communities, the environment, and even the entire planet. Nowadays, no global company can ignore the often very long-term interrelationships. Eric Olsen confirms: “At LafargeHolcim, sustainability is a core value and central to how our business is run.” The Group has defined its future sustainability strategy in its “2030 Plan.” Olsen: “Focusing on those areas where we can make a significant impact, the 2030 Plan sets out a series of hard-edged commitments across four categories: climate, circular economy, water & nature, and people & communities.” An example target in the area of climate is to reduce net CO 2 emissions per tonne of cement produced to 40 percent below 1990 levels. LafargeHolcim was founded on some of the world’s biggest infrastructure projects. The worlds of construction and infrastructure are embracing sustainability. « « »

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Lord Norman Foster’s prototype Droneport shell at the 15 th Architecture Biennale in Venice is made of 18,000 Durabric tiles from LafargeHolcim that form a self-supporting vaulted structure. The product was optimized to meet the specific requirements of the project (see also page 33).

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