HERACLES GROUP

The implementation in Greece of the NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, with sustainability serving as a driver of profitable growth and long-term value creation. The objective is to move beyond individual sustainability actions towards an integrated business model that connects the Group’s investments and operations with decarbonization, circular economy, sustainable products and solutions, the protection of nature and water resources, innovation and responsible governance. Through this approach, HERACLES Group simultaneously aims to reduce its environmental footprint, strengthen its competitiveness and resilience, and create new growth opportunities for the business, its customers and the broader value chain.

Shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, public authorities and institutional stakeholders, the financial community and society at large.

Roadmap through 2030 - entry data and milestones for 2025.

HERACLES Group implements the NextGen Growth 2030 strategy in Greece, transforming sustainability from a parallel ESG priority into a core driver of business growth, competitiveness and value creation. The approach is aligned with Holcim’s strategic pillar “Sustainability driving profitable growth” and is structured around four interconnected directions: scaling up the sustainable portfolio to meet growing customer demand; accelerating circular construction and the use of secondary resources; innovating for decarbonization, from new formulations and energy solutions to advanced CCUS technologies; and building a nature-positive future through responsible management of biodiversity and water resources.

What distinguishes this practice is that these priorities are not implemented as isolated environmental actions. They are embedded in strategic planning, capital allocation, production, product development, sales, procurement, innovation and governance, creating an integrated model that translates strategy into measurable business and environmental performance.

In 2025, this model translated into concrete investments and results in Greece: progress on the OLYMPUS project, an investment of more than €400 million in advanced carbon capture technology; further expansion of circular economy activities and the use of secondary resources and biomass; a higher share of sustainable building products in sales; reduced CO₂ intensity; and strengthened biodiversity management. In this way, the global strategy is translated into clear local implementation and measurable impact, providing a model for how a carbon-intensive industry can combine the green transition with growth and competitiveness.

The Group’s 2025 Sustainability Report was prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards and takes into account the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Greek Sustainability Code.

The initiative is implemented within the framework of the NextGen Growth 2030 strategy and engages HERACLES Group’s entire value chain: employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, institutional stakeholders, and research and technology partners. This collaborative approach is critical to scaling sustainable solutions, advancing the circular use of resources and deploying innovative decarbonization technologies.

Implementation is cross-functional and organization-wide, with active participation from management and key functions including production, environment, H&S, HR, R&D/innovation, sales, procurement, finance, compliance, communications and sustainability. In this way, sustainability is embedded in day-to-day business decision-making rather than being confined to a single corporate function.

Across all HERACLES Group operations in Greece.

In 2025, the strategy delivered measurable results across key transition indicators. Net CO₂ emissions per tonne of cement decreased to 484 kg CO₂/t, representing a 6.92% improvement versus 2024. Sustainable building products accounted for 35% of sales, reflecting the shift in both market demand and the Group’s portfolio towards solutions with a lower environmental footprint. Investments in material recovery facilities, secondary resources and biomass exceeded €24.5 million, while the use of secondary raw materials and alternative fuels contributed to avoiding more than 187,300 tonnes of CO₂.

At the same time, the OLYMPUS project advanced to the groundbreaking phase, representing an investment of more than €400 million and a flagship example of deploying advanced CCUS technologies on the industry’s decarbonization pathway. These results demonstrate that environmental performance, innovation and business growth can reinforce one another rather than compete, creating value for customers, employees, partners, local communities and the Greek economy.

The implementation of NextGen Growth 2030 provides a common decision-making framework that links sustainability with growth and business performance. It strengthens the Group’s resilience and competitiveness, directs investment towards transition technologies and infrastructure, accelerates the development of sustainable products and new markets, and reduces exposure to environmental and transition risks. At the same time, it strengthens the Group’s ability to respond to increasing customer demand and regulatory requirements for lower-carbon solutions.

As a best practice, the model is replicable: it connects clear strategic direction, investment decisions, cross-functional implementation and measurable performance indicators, demonstrating how sustainability can evolve from a compliance requirement into a driver of innovation, differentiation and long-term value creation.