Hyundai E&C, Holcim to jointly develop low-carbon construction materials

South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction (E&C) said on Thursday that it has established an agreement with Holcim, a renowned global supplier of sustainable construction materials. The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed at Holcim's headquarters in Switzerland on the previous day, signifies a joint effort to develop low-carbon construction materials.

As part of this agreement, South Korean firm will co-develop new low-carbon materials utilizing calcined clay, alongside high-durability concrete technology, targeted toward marine environments. This collaboration comes amid tightening regulations on carbon emissions within the global construction industry and increasing demands for carbon emissions reductions in international tenders for the construction of ports, tunnels and buildings.

In October of the previous year, Hyundai E&C distinguished itself as the first listed construction firm in Korea to commit to carbon neutrality by 2045. Through a report articulating this vision, the company outlined strategies for achieving carbon neutrality, including the development and deployment of environmentally friendly concrete that substitutes cement with eco-friendly alternatives, and a high-density mortar that utilizes steel by-products for noise reduction.

Holcim stands as a construction material specialist operating from Switzerland and France. It operates six research centers and holds over 1,500 valid patents, with a commitment to expand its range of eco-friendly products, such as cement and concrete, which dramatically cut carbon emissions during production.

Write to Eun-Ji Shim at summit@hankyung.com