Holcim’s ORION project to advance electrified cement production in Greece

The project was selected under a European call for proposals supporting the deployment of net-zero technologies, placing Greece within the EU’s broader strategy to transition towards low-carbon industrial production.

ORION is among 77 projects selected for funding from a total of 358 applications submitted across 23 European countries, reinforcing Holcim’s role in developing technologies that support the transition to climate neutrality.

Innovative Production Technology at the Volos Plant

The investment centres on the HERACLES Group’s cement plant in Volos, where a pioneering, fully electrified production line for calcined clay is planned.

The technology will electrify high-temperature industrial processes, eliminating the use of fossil fuels for clay calcination. The facility’s energy supply will be supported by a hybrid renewable energy system incorporating photovoltaic installations and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

By leveraging domestically generated clean electricity, the project aims to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels while strengthening the energy resilience of Greek industry.

The new production line also forms part of the group’s strategy to develop construction materials with a lower carbon footprint, as the cement industry faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions throughout its production processes.

Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Cement Production

The significance of ORION lies in its focus on transforming the production process itself, rather than relying solely on improvements in the energy efficiency of existing facilities.

According to the project’s design, the new technology aims to substantially reduce the carbon intensity of the final product, contributing to broader efforts to cut emissions from cement manufacturing.

The investment is intended to serve as a model for deploying innovative technologies in the cement industry and other energy-intensive sectors seeking to transition towards low-emission production methods.

For Thessaly, and Volos in particular, the project could create opportunities to strengthen industrial expertise, develop specialised skills and generate new employment in green manufacturing technologies.

Complementing Holcim’s Decarbonisation Strategy

ORION represents another pillar of the HERACLES Group’s and its parent company Holcim’s decarbonisation strategy in Greece. It complements previous initiatives, including the OLYMPUS strategic investment, which has been designated a project of national importance.

Through these investments, the group aims to strengthen its position in the development of innovative construction solutions by deploying emerging technologies and clean energy sources.

At the same time, the investment in Volos highlights the growing role of Greece’s regional industrial centres in Europe’s broader transition towards more sustainable manufacturing.