SKOKIE, Ill. – The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine acknowledged CEMEX USA cement plant in Odessa, Texas, as part of the 2014 Cement Industry Energy and Environment Awards. The plant was a finalist in the Environmental Performance category. The Environmental Performance award recognizes a cement facility that take steps beyond those contained in environmental laws, regulations, permits and requirements to minimize their impact on the environment.

The Odessa plant designed and constructed a completely enclosed clinker storage system that includes three clinker silos. The new clinker silos were built in order to reduce the exposure of clinker to the wind and weather. The multi-million dollar construction of the clinker storage silos goes above and beyond current environmental regulations. With these new clinker silos, CEMEX hopes to reduce approximately seven tons of permitted particulate matter emissions per year.

Additionally, the plant went above and beyond by replacing the old baghouse. The new baghouse uses modern technology, using pulse jets and negative pressure with modern fabric filters and a stack vent to enhance dust control practices.

The Energy & Environmental Awards honor individual cement facilities that exemplify the spirit of continuous environmental improvement and support this spirit with action.  These plants go beyond government regulations and local laws to ensure that their processes contribute to making their communities better places to live and work.  Five categories are recognized:  Outreach, Environmental Performance, Land Stewardship, Innovation and Energy Efficiency.  Additionally, PCA presents a special honor to a plant demonstrating excellence in multiple categories.

The award program was created in 2000 by the PCA 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 2014 awards Program included representatives from U.S. EPA-ENERGY STAR, Wildlife Habitat Council, U.S. Geological Survey, World Wildlife Fund, and Cement Americas.

About PCA
Based in Washington, D.C., with offices in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.