Near-Zero Cement Initiatives

Building materials giant Holcim officially launched the 'OLYMPUS' project in Milaki, Greece, a €400 million initiative aimed at reducing emissions and achieving a near-zero cement production carbon footprint. The project will equip a cement plant with advanced carbon capture technology (including oxy-fuel calcination and cryogenic CO₂ capture) to trap about 1 million tons of CO₂ annually, enabling the facility to produce 2 million tons of near-zero-emission cement by 2029.

OLYMPUS is backed by the EU and aims to set a new benchmark in sustainable construction, as traditional clinker cement-making accounts for ~8% of global CO₂ emissions. In addition to reducing emissions, the project is expected to create over 1,000 local jobs and demonstrate a viable path toward decarbonizing heavy industries, such as cement, on a large scale.

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