SKOKIE, Ill. – The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine acknowledged the CEMEX Fairborn cement plant in Ohio, as part of the 2009 Cement Industry Energy & Environmental Awards, honoring sustainable manufacturing practices.

The plant was a finalist in the Award’s Land Stewardship category that recognizes a plant’s efforts to protect and enhance the surrounding land.

With an overall goal of providing a stopover habitat for migrating shore birds and a breeding habitat for waterfowl, the plant has shown a willingness to go beyond reclamation requirements.  Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it established nearly 47 acres as native grasslands that provide a nesting habitat for several species of birds.

CEMEX also located two wetlands along the native grasslands to provide water sources for wildlife.  Neither wetland nor native grassland restoration projects are required in its mining permit, but CEMEX considered them projects of high ecological value due to the vital functions wetlands and native grassland have within the landscape.

 “Minimizing the environment impact of its plants and making their local communities better places are top priorities for cement manufacturers,” said Brian McCarthy, PCA president and CEO. 

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 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 2009 awards represent independent groups such as Cement Americas magazine, the Cement Association of Canada, the U.S. Geological Survey, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Cement Sector Program, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program.

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. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.

# # #