Holcim’s Circular Explorer Wins Silver at ESG Edge Impact Awards 2025
Sustainability took center stage at the inaugural Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards 2025, and Holcim Philippines emerged as one of the standout winners. The company’s Circular Explorer, a first-of-its-kind solar-powered catamaran that tackles marine plastic pollution, bagged the Silver Prize for Waste Management & Responsible Consumption, Production, and Manufacturing under the Environment category. This recognition is not just a win for Holcim but also a milestone for the Philippines’ fight for a greener, more circular future.
Celebrating ESG Champions
The Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards, organized by the Inquirer Group of Companies (IGC), shines a spotlight on organizations advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Held at the Inquirer Media Resource Plaza in Makati, the awards recognized projects that prove sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.
Holcim’s Circular Explorer stood out for its pioneering efforts in promoting circularity. More than just a cleanup vessel, the catamaran doubles as a hub for collaboration between industries, government agencies, and local communities.
Circular Explorer: More Than a Vessel
Unlike traditional marine clean-up initiatives, the Circular Explorer goes beyond simply collecting plastic. It runs on solar power, recovers waste from waterways, and sparks conversations about responsible consumption. By promoting education, innovation, and systemic change, the project aims to inspire long-term environmental solutions across the country.
Nathalie Inductivo, OIC-Sustainability Manager and Project Coordinator of Circular Explorer, shared that the award is a powerful motivation: “The Circular Explorer embodies Holcim’s commitment to sustainability, and this recognition drives us to continue accelerating solutions for a greener, more circular Philippines.”
Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
The awards are part of the broader advocacy of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC), co-founded by IGC alongside Malaysia’s Star Media Group and Indonesia’s KG Media. Together, these organizations are building regional momentum around sustainability through education, engagement, and community-driven action.
Holcim’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Jill Iris Ramos, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility: “With the Circular Explorer, we aim to show that collective action can protect marine ecosystems and inspire communities to adopt sustainable practices.”
A Win for the Planet
This recognition not only highlights Holcim’s role in advancing the country’s sustainability agenda but also encourages more organizations to embrace circular solutions. By combining technology, education, and community action, projects like the Circular Explorer prove that meaningful environmental impact is possible when stakeholders work together.
The Circular Explorer’s success at the ESG Edge Awards is a timely reminder that sustainability is not a buzzword—it’s a call to action. For Filipinos who care about protecting our seas and ensuring a healthier environment for future generations, this project is proof that innovation and collaboration can make real change happen.