Martin Kriegner, Holcim Group Executive Committee Member and Region Head of Asia, the Middle East and Africa, met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday (9 April, 2025).
The meeting addressed the country’s cement consumption trends, the environmental impact of the industry, and Holcim’s future plans for the Bangladeshi market.
Holcim, a leading global cement and building materials company, is the parent company of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh. The company is operating the only integrated cement plant at Chhatak, Sunamgonj, and has been operating in the country for more than two decades.
“We are thankful to the government for providing continuous support to enable us to produce world-class products in Bangladesh,” stated Kriegner.
He explained that the company utilises “non-recyclable plastics” as a fuel source at its Chhatok factory, asserting that this process has zero environmental impact.
“Holcim has been a global pioneer in sustainable solution technologies, which we are also deploying in Bangladesh,” Kriegner said, adding that the company has carbon capture projects at its plants in other countries, which could be replicated in Bangladesh.
Iqbal Chowdhury, CEO and Managing Director of Bangladesh Operations, noted the challenges and opportunities of the industry in the country over the past year. However, he anticipates an improvement in the coming months.
Chowdhury highlighted the company’s recent introduction of aggregates in Bangladesh, which he expects will save the country hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign exchange.
Professor Yunus enquired about the environmental impact of using non-recyclable plastics at the Lafarge plant. He received assurances that the use of plastics as fuel would not result in carbon emissions in the region.
The Chief Adviser welcomed further Holcim investment in the country, affirming the government’s pro-business and pro-foreign direct investment stance.
Kriegner reiterated Holcim’s commitment to the Bangladeshi market, emphasising its intention to be a long-term player.
BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Principal Secretary Sirajuddin Sathi also attended the meeting.
