LHB recognised by FICCI for sustainable operational excellence
LafargeHolcim Bangladesh PLC (LHB), a leading building materials company, has been recognised as Runner-up in the Sustainable Operational Excellence category at the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Sustainability Game Changer Award 2025 for its contribution to sustainable waste management through its Geocycle wing.
Bangladesh faces one of the highest rates of urbanisation in South Asia, leading to a sharp rise in waste generation. An estimated 55% of solid waste in urban areas remains uncollected, placing immense pressure on landfills and posing serious risks to ecosystems, underground water quality, and public health.
LHB has addressed this pressing challenge through its Geocycle facility at the Chhatak Plant in Sunamganj. Approved by the Department of Environment, the state-of-the-art facility safely co-processes waste in cement kilns — an internationally recognised, environmentally friendly, and scientifically proven method of sustainable waste management.
Commercially launched in 2017, the Geocycle facility currently co-processes around 50,000 tonnes of waste each year, including municipal and industrial waste from the textile, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and FMCG sectors. With an annual disposal capacity exceeding 100,000 tonnes, Geocycle plays a key role in reducing environmental impact, conserving natural resources, and promoting a circular economy in Bangladesh.
Iqbal Chowdhury, chief executive officer of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, said, "This recognition from FICCI reflects our unwavering commitment to the circular economy and environmental stewardship. Geocycle is a cornerstone of our strategy, demonstrating how responsible industrial operations can provide solutions to major national challenges."
Md Anisuzzaman, chief financial officer, and Tamrin Chowdhury, deputy manager of Geocycle, received the award on behalf of LHB from Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy on international affairs to the honourable chief adviser, at a ceremony held recently.