In the plains of Northeast Mexico, Saltillo city near Monterrey is a growing hub for high-tech industries, from aerospace to automotive and more. Moranta Tower, the centerpiece of the iconic new Distrito Karena mixed-use development in the north of the city, takes smart sustainability to new heights as Mexico’s first full ECOPact building.
A stylish 21-floor building for living, working, shopping and leisure
First full ECOPact concrete building in Mexico, with 30% less CO2 and 100% performance
SMARTCast technology ensures faster, more efficient and sustainable construction
THE VISION
Grupo DAGS, one of the most prominent developers and construction companies in and around Monterrey, which is Mexico’s second largest city, is driven by its commitment to reduce the environmental impact of projects while providing sustainable housing for this rapidly urbanizing country.
In Saltillo, the 21-storey mixed-use Moranta Tower forms the center of a vibrant new district. It provides 106 apartments, commercial and office spaces, and a wide range of amenities including green spaces that the whole community can use, with a focus on residents’ safety, comfort and well-being.
As a developer, Grupo DAGS believes it has a responsibility to ensure that its projects are built as sustainably as possible. Holcim is the leading partner for sustainable construction – supporting Latin America’s growth – from building and infrastructure to industry. So when the time came to realize the vision of the Moranta Tower in Mexico, the synergies were clear.
THE SOLUTIONS
Grupo DAGS found that Holcim's ECOPact low-carbon concrete was the only solution capable of reducing the carbon footprint of the entire structure of the tower by 30% (compared to CEM I concrete) while offering 100% performance. As a result, Holcim was asked to supply 20,000m3 of ECOPact for the construction of the 30,000m3 project.
We complemented this use of ECOPact with our digital service SMARTCast, which accelerates the construction process by up to four days per floor for a high-rise building, while enabling more sustainable construction, and our Holcim+ platform.
“As a developer, Grupo DAGS has a responsibility to ensure that our projects are built as sustainably as possible. Holcim is a leading partner to us at Grupo DAGs here in Saltillo and in Mexico, achieving common ambitions to build progress for people and the planet.”
Digital Concrete Services
SMARTCast consists of sensors installed in concrete that measure its temperature and assess its strength in real time. The data is stored in a cloud-based platform, allowing customers to track the strength development process anytime, anywhere. The solution optimizes the concrete mix design before the pouring begins, enabling more efficient and sustainable construction.
Holcim+ digital ecosystem
Our innovative digital platform, HOLCIM+ Concrete, was also used to manage and track orders – ensuring a smooth, efficient construction journey.
Customer Perspective
“At Grupo DAGS we don’t just construct buildings, we create communities. Here in Saltillo, we’re helping to build the sustainable housing that our country needs as it grows.”
Gustavo Marcos, Director of Grupo DAGS
THE ICON
Completed in early 2025, Moranta Tower not only stands out as an icon of sustainable urban development – with its residential apartments, commercial spaces and green public spaces – it’s a symbol of Mexico’s increasing prosperity and economic growth.
Use of ECOPact in the build represents a CO₂ emissions reduction of 1,520 tons – or 30% less than a standard CEM I concrete mix. This is the equivalent of the energy used by 152 households for a whole year, or over 6 million kilometers traveled by an ICE car.
With ECOPact, SMARTCast and Holcim+, Holcim is driving low-carbon and digital construction for customers like Grupo DAGS, helping them to meet their sustainability objectives and deliver 100% performance.
“The use of the SMARTCast technology enables us to optimize the use of sustainable solutions and help our customers accelerate construction processes. This is just one of the ways we are transforming the construction industry in Mexico."
