Ultracem Ultracem is a multi-Latin company in the construction and materials sector, specializing in the manufacture and marketing of high-quality cement, concrete, mortar, and adhesives. The company serves builders, concreters, precasters, and the hardware sector, providing solutions for infrastructure development through high-tech production processes and a strong commitment to quality.
In November 2025, the organization reached an historic milestone for the industry by achieving Certification in the Zero Waste Management System (SGZW) in Gold Category for its operation in Colombia, the highest distinction awarded, following an external audit conducted by ICONTEC. With this achievement, the company becomes the first company in its sector to achieve this category, consolidating its position as a benchmark in sustainability, circular economy and advanced waste management.
This certification validates the rigorous implementation of SGZW in the company's operations, demonstrating that sustainability integrated into corporate strategy can translate into verifiable environmental, operational and economic results.
Outstanding performance in waste reduction and management
During 2025, Ultracem evidenced a structural change in its waste management, achieving a 33 % reduction in total generation compared to 2024. This progress was reflected in the decrease from 14,005.78 tons to 9,441 tons of waste generated, as a result of a robust focus on source reduction and optimization of production processes.
In parallel, the company achieved high-performance recycling indicators that far exceed industry standards:
- Overall recycling of 98.60 %
- Actual recycling of 98.66 %, with sustained compliance throughout the year.
- Recycling of 100 % of the Kraft paper sacks used in the operation.
- Total use of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), with 8,921 tons recycled, equivalent to 100 % of this flow.
These results reflect the maturity of the system and Ultracem's ability to efficiently and responsibly manage materials throughout their life cycle.
Minimal disposal and above-industry average performance
One of the most relevant indicators of Ultracem's environmental performance in 2025 was the minimization of final disposal. Only 1 % of the waste generated was sent to final disposal. This result not only exceeds the established corporate goal, but also positions the company with an outstanding performance compared to the standards of the industrial sector, evidencing a management oriented to the valorization and closing of material cycles.
Operational savings and associated economic benefits
The implementation of the SGZW also generated significant economic impacts. The strengthening of internal recycling of CDW allowed us to achieve 26 % of recovery in our own operations, reducing costs associated with external management and generating significant savings, equivalent to a 35 % decrease in expenses compared to 2024.
In addition, the wooden pallet reuse strategy achieved 79 % of repaired pallets, far exceeding the target of 50 %. This measure saved approximately 23% of the budget execution compared to 2024, considering that the repair of pallets is up to 16 times more economical than the acquisition of new units.
Environmental, social and organizational impacts
Beyond the technical and economic indicators, the implementation of the system has generated long-term environmental, social and organizational benefits. These include the reduction of pressure on landfills, the optimization of resource use, the strengthening of the circular economy and the consolidation of a solid environmental culture among employees.
These advances position Ultracem as a sector benchmark in sustainability, demonstrating that responsible waste management is a strategic pillar for competitiveness, operational efficiency and the generation of shared value, results that reaffirm its commitment to continuous improvement and the adoption of management models aligned with the principles of the circular economy, marking a clear path for the sustainable transformation of the industry.
An achievement led with purpose and built as a team
Behind these results there are people, conviction and a shared purpose. The implementation and certification of the Zero Waste Management System was strategically led by a team that knew how to turn sustainability into a conscious decision and a way of working aligned with the organization's values.
This process was led by Julian Vasquez, General Manager, together with a team that assumed leadership with commitment and vision:
- Juan Cediel Ibáñez, Sustainability Manager
- Pedro Torres, Director SSTA
- Gabriela Peluffo, Environmental Coordinator
From Global Zero Waste We congratulate the team responsible for this process and all Ultracem's employees, who, through their daily work, made it possible for the strategy to be translated into concrete actions. Every process improvement, every good practice implemented and every effort to do things better contributed decisively to this result.
This milestone demonstrates that when there is a common purpose, leadership is shared and commitment is collective, results are not only achieved, but sustained over time.
Analysis of SGZW operational performance
The results of the evaluation position ULTRACEM as an organization with a high level of performance. exceptional in its transition to a circular economy. With an overall rating of 89.19 points out of 100 in the audit, The company demonstrates not only regulatory compliance, but also a deep integration of sustainability into its operational DNA.
For ULTRACEM, the challenge is no longer recycling - a field in which it has achieved a high level of specialization - but moving towards the higher levels of the circular economy, prioritizing reduction and redesign from the planning stage.
The company is in a privileged position after obtaining SGZW certification with an outstanding score. Its system is robust, well documented and fully supported by its leaders. By strengthening the technical quantification processes in the planning stage and consolidating its focus on circular strategies, the company will not only comply with the standard, but will continue to position itself as a regional benchmark in industrial sustainability.
