Byron Bay Concrete Plant Switches to 100% Renewable Energy
As part of our commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions our Byron Bay Concrete Plant officially switched to 100% renewable energy at the start of the year—a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions and build progress for both people and the planet.
Achieving Zero Scope 2 CO2 Emissions
In 2024, the Byron Bay Concrete Plant took a major step toward sustainability by eliminating all Scope 2 CO₂ emissions—achieving zero emissions from electricity use on-site. This milestone was made possible through a powerful combination of on-site solar generation and 100% renewable energy supplied by Shell Energy. Solar panels at the plant now deliver around 20% of its electricity needs, with the remaining power sourced entirely from certified renewable energy.
Part of a Comprehensive Sustainability Plan
This significant achievement is part of Holcim’s Global Health, Safety, and Environmental Improvement Plan (HSE-IP). The plan encompasses several key sustainability objectives including zero emissions from electricity use on site (Zero Scope 2 CO2 emissions - achieved at Byron Bay), as well as Zero water impact (no water pollution incidents) and Zero waste disposal (no waste sent to landfill).
Collaboration Driving Our Progress
Holcim Australia’s Procurement Business Partner, Chris Marathakis, played a key role in working with our energy suppliers to make this project a reality.
The new solar installation at Holcim’s Byron Bay concrete plant contributes to its use of 100% renewable energy.
On-site solar has been a great first step in achieving our Zero Scope 2 target, but it will never be able to cover 100% of our requirements—our operations run at times when the sun doesn’t shine! That’s why we supplement our energy needs by purchasing renewable electricity from large-scale projects by retailers like Shell Energy.
The Byron Bay Concrete Plant follows in the footsteps of our Jacobs Well plant in Queensland, which has been operating on 100% renewable energy since 2023 using a similar mix of on-site solar and grid-sourced green energy.
We remain committed to advancing sustainability within our operations and beyond - such as our waste reduction that successfully diverted 4.6 tonnes of waste from landfill, primarily through timber and cardboard recycling at Brisbane (Eagle Farm) concrete plant.
Learn more about our sustainability journey and the steps we are taking towards a sustainable future.
About Holcim
Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Driven by our purpose to build progress for people and the planet, our 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonise building, enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of its strategy Holcim is becoming a net zero company, with its people and communities at the heart of its success.
Holcim Australia is a leading supplier of aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and engineered concrete solutions and precast concrete pipes. Our proud history began in Australia in 1901.
