Annual Report 2010 Holcim Ltd

Sustainability is a criteria for innovative products
In its product development, Holcim is strongly committed to environmentally friendly building materials. This
primarily means using new types of mineral components and alternative raw materials which reduce the clinker
factor and cut CO2 emissions. Holcim has successfully developed specific offerings for the many booming rural
home markets in the emerging economies. The Group also offers new and innovative logistics concepts that
help construction companies build demanding, complex and high-quality concrete structures within agreed
deadlines. Training concepts form part of this service.
Biodiversity as part of sustainable development
The Group’s strategy includes promoting sustainable development. Environmental responsibility also includes
preserving biodiversity. To mark the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity, this Annual Report pays special atten-
tion to this topic. Protecting biodiversity is of special significance at around 600 locations where the Group ex-
tracts limestone, clay and marl for cement production and crushed stone, gravel and sand for use as aggregates.
Already in 2007, Holcim signed an agreement with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
with the aim of strengthening biodiversity. This partnership gave rise to an effective strategy and a corresponding
management system for the protection of biodiversity. The partnership has since been extended by three years.
Throughout the Group, efforts continue to be centered on strengthening a culture of safety. While visible
progress has been made, lives were still lost, which is a matter of great regret to us. However, the Board of Direc-
tors and the Executive Committee are convinced that the measures taken will pave the way for the necessary
progress.
Management development and rejuvenation of senior management
Talent promotion and succession planning are implemented throughout the Group based on uniform rules. With
vocational training at the workplace, dedicated training modules, and the cooperation with leading universities,
we are permanently preparing our 80,000 employees for a rapidly changing environment.
At Group level, Board and Executive Committee concentrated their efforts on rejuvenating senior management.
Newly elected Executive Committee members included Group CFO-elect Thomas Aebischer, Andreas Leu as the
executive responsible for Latin America and Roland Köhler as CEO of Holcim Group Support Ltd. With this, it was
possible to rejuvenate the Executive Committee by six new members within the last two years.
A word of thanks to our customers, partners and staff
Holcim’s positive performance was possible only thanks to our customers across the globe – old and new alike –
which place their trust in our products and services. Holcim will do its utmost to continue providing them with
innovative solutions swiftly and efficiently. We also owe a debt of gratitude to all our partners who continued
to provide us with effective support in many areas in 2010 and especially to all our employees whose committed
efforts and skills continued to provide the foundations for Holcim’s success last year.