Swiss building materials outfit Holcim has taken a minority equity ownership in BW Ideol as it looks to scale up the construction of clean energy infrastructure.
The companies will form a strategic partnership for the supply of materials to two fabrication lines for floating foundations in southern France and northeast Scotland, said Holcim.
BW Ideol added that it has 15 years’ experience in the design, engineering and fabrication of offshore floating wind foundations and holds equity ownerships in a 960MW project off Scotland’s northeast coast and a 270MW project off France’s southern coast.
Dragan Maksimovic, region head west Europe at Holcim, said: “We are delighted to be able to scale up BW Ideol’s best-in-class innovative designs and engineering of floating foundations for offshore wind, a key part of the energy transition.”
He added: “Holcim’s patented lightweight structural low-carbon concrete is ideal for offshore wind projects, and our partnership entails a local-for-local approach, benefiting local economies.”
BW Ideol chief executive Paul de la Guérivière stated: “We are thrilled to welcome Holcim as a strategic shareholder.”
He said: “This investment sends a powerful message to the floating offshore wind industry, confirming the maturity and deliverability of concrete foundation solutions.”
He added: “With Holcim by our side, we’re making significant strides in our large-scale, concrete serial fabrication strategy.”
He stated: “We are confident that this is the most effective way to achieve competitive costs and, ultimately, unlock the full potential of floating wind as an affordable, decarbonized renewable energy source.”
The investment aligns with Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, according to the company.