Five cement plants received special recognition for their commitment to improving the environment and their communities at the 12th Annual Cement Industry Environment and Energy Awards, presented by the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas at PCA’s Spring Meeting in Chicago on April 29.
The awards honor individual cement facilities that exemplify the spirit of continuous environmental improvement and support this spirit with action. These plants went beyond government regulations and local laws to ensure that their processes and policies contributed to making their communities better places to live and work.
Six categories recognized plants throughout North America (listed by category, company and plant location):
- Overall Environmental Excellence: Lafarge North America Inc., Bath, Ontario.
- Outreach: Titan America LLC/Roanoke Cement Company, Troutville, Va.
- Environmental Performance: Lafarge North America Inc., Bath, Ontario.
- Land Stewardship: Cemex USA Brooksville South, Brooksville, Fla.
- Innovation: Cemex USA, Balcones, New Braunfels, Texas.
- Energy Efficiency: Cemex USA, Victorville, Calif.
“Although it is one of the most highly regulated industry sectors in the North America, cement companies are consistently challenging manufacturing policies and procedures and are on the forefront of new technologies to make their plants more energy efficient and to become better stewards of the land and resources,” said Greg Scott, PCA president and CEO. “Making a quality product is not enough. These and other cement companies take extra steps to ensure their communities are excellent places to work, live and learn.”
PCA created the awards program in 2000 as part of its environment and energy strategic plan for the U.S. cement industry. The awards honor activities conducted during the previous calendar year, and the program is open to any cement manufacturing plant in North America. Judges for the 2013 awards program included representatives from U.S. EPA-Energy Star, Wildlife Habitat Council, U.S. Geological Survey, World Wildlife Fund and Cement Americas.
