Partnership to expand offshore wind construction

Illustrative projection of a concrete floating foundations fabrication line by BW Ideol in Ardersier, Scotland. Photo: BW Ideol

Holcim has taken a minority equity stake in BW Ideol, a pioneer in floating offshore wind technology, to accelerate the construction of clean energy infrastructure. The two companies will form a strategic partnership to supply innovative materials to two fabrication lines for floating foundations, developed by BW Ideol in Southern France and Northeast Scotland.

BW Ideol brings 15 years’ experience in the design, engineering and fabrication of offshore floating wind foundations. It also holds equity in two floating wind projects: one off Scotland’s northeast coast with a capacity of 960 million watts, and another off France’s southern coast with a capacity of 270 million watts.

Dragan Maksimovic, Holcim’s, head of the West Europe region, 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. Holcim’s patented lightweight structural low-carbon concrete is ideal for offshore wind projects, and our partnership entails a local-for-local approach, benefitting local economies.”

Paul de la Guérivière, CEO of BW Ideol, said: “This investment sends a powerful message to the floating offshore wind industry, confirming the maturity and deliverability of concrete foundation solutions. With Holcim by our side, we are making significant strides in our large-scale, concrete serial fabrication strategy. 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, decarbonised renewable energy source.”

The investment aligns with Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, which positions sustainability as a driver of profitable growth. Holcim has previously supplied onshore wind foundations across Australia, Croatia, Denmark, Poland, Spain and the UK, as well as offshore wind foundations off France’s northern coastline.