SKOKIE, Ill. – On April 28, 2009, the Holcim (US) Inc. cement plant in Holly Hill, S.C., received the Environmental Performance Award from the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine as part of the 2009 Cement Industry Energy and Environment Awards, honoring sustainable manufacturing practices.

The award was presented at PCA’s Spring Meeting in Chicago.

This honor recognizes facilities that take steps beyond those contained in environmental laws, regulations, and permits to minimize their impact on the environment.

In 2008, the Holcim Holly Hill facility completed several notable projects that improved their environmental performance in emissions and energy consumption. For example, the plant was able to reduce the amount of cement kiln dust (CKD) by 44 percent compared to 2007 through enhanced raw meal analysis and process control. The Holly Hill plant utilizes a significant amount of waste material that it receives from various sources and then utilizes as alternative raw materials and as fuel. This saves valuable landfill space and fossil fuels.  In 2008, alternative fuels supplied 32 percent of the fuel requirements for the plant, the equivalent of nearly 62,000 tons of traditional fossil fuels.

“The awards program recognizes our industry’s ongoing efforts to continuously challenge manufacturing policies and procedures to minimize our environmental footprint,” said Brian McCarthy, PCA president/CEO.  “Cement companies take very seriously their responsibilities to towns where their employees and customers live.  Holcim’s activities show this commitment in action.”

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, PCA presents a special honor to a plant 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.