help us build the future for people and the planet . We also work closely with our local governments to try to help them understand that ‘ buy clean ’ is completely necessary . While government buy-in is one of the pieces , manufacturers must also make upfront changes to their businesses .
One of the main complaints about ‘ green ’ products is that they cost more . Part of this issue is that they are currently only niche products and until they are in higher demand and utilized en masse or in the mainstream , it will be difficult to lower their costs . It will take manufacturers making bold moves , having the courage to defy demand and only producing low ( er ) impact , green products . I mention this because Holcim did just this in the cement market , moving production over the last year over to lower impact Type IL cement despite a lack of demand . We need to be leaders and do our work to move markets at the same time we work with our policymakers .
In terms of investments , they are completely in line with our purpose to build progress for people and planet .
Main interview
Holcim is supporting The White House ’ s Buy Clean efforts – can you tell me more about that strategy ? We are working hard to make our products eco-friendlier , but we need help from our policymakers . The U . S . federal government is a huge procurer of goods and has the power to change markets . The Buy Clean commitment to sourcing low-carbon products will enable Holcim to invest in American manufacturing , help launch new low-carbon products and
How can the industry encourage more construction companies to look for greener concrete alternatives ? What is holding them back ( if anything )? To be most efficient , cement plants run 24 hours a day , seven days a week , and typically have only one or two shutdowns per year . Buildings are responsible for 38 percent of the world ’ s CO 2 emissions - it ’ s clear we need to build better . Concrete has to hold up to an 80-story building , span miles over canyons or hold back millions of gallons of water , and
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