SKOKIE, Ill. – The Portland Cement Association (PCA) acknowledged the Lafarge North America cement plant in Alpena, Michigan, as part of the 2015 Cement Industry Energy & Environmental Awards honoring sustainable manufacturing practices at the 2015 PCA Spring Meeting in Chicago.

Judges chose the Alpena plant as the winner of Overall Environmental Excellence, in addition to the winner in the Environmental Performance and Innovation categories. In addition, it received recognition as the runner-up of the Energy Efficiency category, and a finalist in the Outreach and Land Stewardship categories.

The plant continued its voluntary commitment to undertake pollution prevention projects within the plant by partnering with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership is a program that the MDEQ utilizes to encourage businesses and communities to partner to benefit the environment.

In addition, they continue to introduce alternative fuels and raw materials into the production process. In 2014, the plant obtained a permit that allowed use of a broader range of plastic types and to utilize shingles as a fuel on all five of our kilns in place of the normal coal and coke fuel blends of the past. Both of these fuels burn cleaner than the traditional kiln fuel of coal.

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.

PCA created the award 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 2015 awards Program included representatives from U.S. EPA-ENERGY STAR, U.S. Geological Survey, National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association, and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.

About PCA
Headquartered in Skokie, Illinois with offices in Washington, DC, PCA represents America's cement manufacturers, serving as a powerful and vocal advocate for sustainability, jobs creation, economic growth, sound infrastructure investment, and overall innovation and excellence in construction throughout the U.S.  More information on PCA is available at www.cement.org.