Lehigh Hanson recently welcomed representatives from the State of Maryland and University of Maryland to its Lehigh Cement plant in Union Bridge, Md., for an engaging discussion around decarbonization in the cement sector.
Kurt Deery, environmental manager for the Union Bridge plant, provided the group with an overview of the plant, including history, environmental performance and the longstanding work that the team has been engaged in with the community and key stakeholders. Plant Manager Kent Martin then led the visitors on a tour of the facility, culminating with a trip to the top of the more than 400-ft. tall preheater tower.
Following the plant tour, Lehigh’s Adam Swercheck, environmental director – cement, led the group through an engaging discussion about the roadmap to carbon neutrality, covering key areas outlined in the Portland Cement Association’s efforts as well as the leadership that the company has taken. Specifically, the company’s commitment to the industry-leading goal of 400 kg CO2 per ton of cement by 2030 as well as achieving at least half of all product revenues from sustainable products by that same date.
This was the first of what Lehigh said will be an ongoing engagement with key state-level stakeholders as Maryland looks to achieve its ambitious carbon reduction targets laid out in the Climate Solutions Act passed earlier this year, which calls for a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2031 compared to 2006 levels, and to achieve net zero by 2045.
“This was a great opportunity to meet with some of our key stakeholders and share our sustainability goals,” said David Perkins, vice president of government affairs and communications for Lehigh Hanson. “Such ambitious targets cannot be met without collaborative work and the Union Bridge plant has taken the initiative to work with the State of Maryland to drive innovation and ensure that the company’s competitiveness is maintained.”
