Annual Report 2010 Holcim Ltd

Value-Driven
Corporate Management
make a significant contribution toward improving
its operating profit.
Attractive dividend policy
The Group’s success should bear fruit for the share-
holders of Holcim Ltd. In 2003, the Board of Directors
determined that one-third of net income attributable
to shareholders of Holcim Ltd should be distributed.
For the 2010 financial year, the Board is proposing
to the annual general meeting a payout from the
capital contribution reserves corresponding to last
year’s amount of CHF 1.50 per registered share.
Environmental commitment and social responsibility
enhance our reputation
Holcim’s reputation is based on its substantial efforts
to promote sustainable development. Holcim is therefore
guided by the basic concept of the “triple bottom
line” of creation of value, sustainable environmental
performance and social responsibility, and regards
these as integral components of its overriding strategy.
Holcim is in constant dialog with a wide range of
stakeholder groups. This is also reflected in strategic
partnerships with such bodies as the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). At the
beginning of the year under review, Holcim joined
the ICRC Corporate Support Group and committed
itself to supporting specific humanitarian projects in
conflict regions.
Holcim is once again listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index 2010/2011 and as such is regarded as one
of the most sustainable companies in the construction
materials sector.
Promotion of sustainable construction
In 2003, the Group established the Holcim Foundation
for Sustainable Construction. Through this body it
champions the cause of greater sustainability in the
construction sector well beyond its core business. The
Holcim Foundation aims to foster greater understanding
of sustainability on the environmental, social
and economic fronts in the construction sector and
among its stakeholders. It makes a global contribution
toward promoting outstanding architecture and a
better quality of life. The Foundation’s most important
activities are a global competition with a very high
public profile and a Holcim Forum focusing on a sustainability
theme. These are conducted every three
years.
The third international Holcim Forum, entitled “Re-
inventing Construction”, was held in April 2010 at the
Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. 270 ex-
perts from 40 countries engaged in exchanges of
views in the plenary session, in theme-specific work-
ing groups and on excursions. The focus was on sus-
tainability issues in construction planning and the
construction process. The Forum attracted a great
deal of interest. Its deliberations and conclusions
were documented in an academic publication which
can be obtained from the Holcim Foundation.
Public relations work has begun on the third cycle of
five regional Holcim Awards competitions for sustain-
able construction projects. The regional awards with
prizes totaling USD 2 million will take place in 2011,
followed by the global award in 2012. Group compa-
nies are organizing events to publicize the launch of
the international project competition nationwide.
The Foundation will support their efforts with a
global campaign.
Information on partnerships and activities
of the Holcim Foundation can be found at
www.holcimfoundation.org.