SKOKIE, Ill. – On April 29, 2013, the CEMEX USA Balcones cement plant in New Braunfels, Texas, received the Innovation Award from the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine as part of the 2013 Cement Industry Energy and Environment Awards.  The award was presented at PCA’s Spring Meeting in Chicago.

The Innovation Award recognizes cement industry leaders in the development and application of innovative technologies and techniques relevant to environmental protection or energy efficiency.  

In June 2012, CEMEX received a patent for its tire injection mechanism. The implementation allowed the Balcones cement plant to consume tire-derived fuel, significantly offsetting the plant’s use of traditional fuels like coal and pet coke. Through increases in tire-derived fuel usage, the facility reduces greenhouse gas emissions, thus minimizing its environmental footprint.

“The innovative thinking illustrated by CEMEX and other cement companies is what puts the industry at the forefront of manufacturing technology expertise,” said Greg Scott, PCA president and CEO.  “The cement industry is committed to using materials wisely, and finding new ways to reduce the amount of materials it uses and new ways to use items previously thought as waste.”

The Cement Industry 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 contributed to making their communities better places to live and work.  Five categories are recognized:  Outreach, Environmental Performance, Land Stewardship, Innovation, and Energy Efficiency.  Additionally a special honor is presented to plants demonstrating excellence in multiple categories

The award program was created in 2000 by the Portland Cement Association 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.

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.

About CEMEX
CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. CEMEX’s U.S. network includes 13 cement plants, 47 active cement distribution terminals, approximately 100 aggregate quarries and more than 420 ready-mix concrete plants. For more information, visit www.cemexusa.com.