SKOKIE, Ill. – The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine acknowledged the Lafarge North America Inc. cement plant in Alpena, Mich., as part of the 2008 Cement Industry Energy & Environmental Awards, honoring sustainable manufacturing practices.

The plant was a runner-up for PCA’s Overall Environmental Excellence Award.  This honor is given to a plant demonstrating merit in several environmental categories including:  Outreach, Environmental Performance, Land Stewardship, Innovation, and Energy Efficiency. 

The Lafarge Alpena plant demonstrates excellence in several aspects of environmental responsibility. Combined sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emission decreased 12 percent in 2007.  This was accomplished despite an increase in production.  Additionally, in 2007, the plant produced 86 percent to their electricity on site by using exhaust gas from the kilns.  This method of electricity generation allowed the plant to reduce its carbon footprint by almost 100,000 estimated tons of carbon dioxide.

Lafarge is commitment to stewardship of the land at its plant and in the surrounding communities.  It collaborated with a local Future Famers of America chapter to raise nearly 30 Ringneck pheasants, which were released into the wildlife habitat area of on Lafarge property.  The plant received the 2007 Environmental Steward of the Year award from the Alpena Conservation District. 

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.  

“Cement companies take very seriously their responsibilities to towns where their employees and customers live,” Brian McCarthy, PCA president/CEO said. “The awards program recognizes these ongoing efforts to continuously challenge manufacturing policies and procedures to minimize our environmental footprint.”

History of the Awards
The awards program was created in 2000 by the Portland Cement Association as part of its renewed environment and energy strategic plan for the U.S. cement industry.  PCA and Cement Americas magazine presented the first Cement Industry Environmental Awards in 2002 to the winners for 2001.  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 awards represent independent groups such as Cement Americas magazine, the Cement Association of Canada, World Resources Institute, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Wildlife Fund.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.

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