Vertua concrete for Houston Methodist Centennial Tower

Cemex providing more than 20,000yd³ of lower-carbon concrete for world’s largest medical complex

CEMEX are providing more than 20,000yd³ of Vertua lower-carbon concrete for Houston Methodist Centennial Tower, the newest addition to the largest medical complex in the world.

The 26-storey tower, expected to begin a phased opening in 2027, will house a new and expanded emergency department, enhanced imaging services, and space for additional hospital beds.

Cemex are contributing a range building materials, including lower-carbon concrete, during the early project stages, having already placed 11,000yd³ for the tower’s foundation.

‘Cemex’s purpose of building a better future comes to life when we participate in projects that improve people’s quality of life, particularly in the area of health services, in the communities in which we serve,’ said Jaime Muguiro, president of Cemex USA.

‘Not only are we providing expert logistics and resilient materials, but we are also providing an alternative to lower the carbon footprint of the project with our more sustainable solutions.’

Supplying concrete for the tower’s foundation involved several logistical challenges that Cemex collaborated on with contractors Vaughn Construction to solve. The huge pour had to happen in the middle of the busy medical centre without interrupting surrounding emergency services. Cemex managed to pour safely and continuously for 20 hours without affecting access to the medical centre.

Cemex’s Vertua product offering is a specialized portfolio of sustainable, high-quality construction products designed to have a significant positive impact on the planet, allowing builders to tailor their projects’ sustainable characteristics through its five specific and measurable attributes: lower carbon, energy efficiency, water conservation, recycled materials, and design optimization.

Vertua is a part of Cemex’s Future in Action programme, which focuses on achieving sustainable excellence through climate action, circularity, and natural resource management with the primary objective of becoming a net-zero CO₂ company by 2050.