SKOKIE, Ill– The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine acknowledged the CEMEX USA cement plant in Knoxville, Tenn., as part of the 2013 Cement Industry Energy & Environmental Awards, honoring sustainable manufacturing practices.
The plant was a finalist for the Award’s Land Stewardship category that recognizes efforts to protect and enhance the surrounding land.
The Knoxville cement plant is continually enhancing biodiversity through pollinator gardens, nesting boxes, and stream and grassland restorations projects. In 2012, CEMEX implemented an environmental education program with a “hands-on” focus for its employees, students from local schools, and members of the community, to demonstrate how industry and nature can successfully co-exist.
On November 8, 2012, the plant was awarded the prestigious national Wildlife Habitat Council Corporate Lands for Learning certification for creating, conserving, and restoring habitats with the involvement of employees and members of the community, and for providing exemplary conservation education opportunities to the local community. Major initiatives contributing to the certification included a comprehensive Environmental Education Plan, conservation training classes and events, and the establishment of six onsite conservation areas.
“The United States cement industry is dedicated to producing a superior product while continuously challenging manufacturing policies and procedures to improve energy efficiency while making the local communities better places to work and live,” said Greg Scott, PCA president and CEO. “The actions taken by the CEMEX plant are at the forefront of manufacturing technology and illustrate the company’s commitment to minimizing its environmental impact.”
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 and Canada. 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.