Cemex launches alternative fuels projects in the Philippines

Cemex in the Philippines has partnered with two international environmental groups to implement a joint US$10 million alternative fuels project at its Solid Cement plant in Antipolo, adjacent to Manila. The joint project will convert biodegradable, non-reusable, non-recyclable waste into alternative fuel.

The trilateral partnership will strengthen the companies’ environmental initiatives, contribute to international efforts to address climate change, and respond to the skyrocketing prices of fossil fuels in the world market. Green Siam Resources Corp. and its affiliates will invest in the refuse derived fuel (RDF) plant; International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialist, Inc. is committed to supply 1500 t of raw municipal solid waste for processing; and Cemex will implement the technology required to consume the RDF at its Solid Cement plant. The project has secured the strong support of the region’s governor and will follow appropriate guidelines to ensure full compliance with environmental laws.

Pedro Palomino, President, Cemex in the Philippines, concluded, “Cemex plants all over the world have been doing this for some time. This partnership underscores the urgency of searching for alternative fuels given the continuing rise of oil prices and the need to mitigate industrial carbon dioxide emission. In cooperation with the office of the governor, this partnership will save on fuel costs; will help the communities; and will help to save the earth.”

To reduce the overall carbon footprint of the company’s operations, Cemex continues to expand its intensive use of more economical, environmentally friendly alternative fuels. The company is increasingly using alternative fuels to reduce its consumption of carbon-based fossil fuels, protect its business from volatile energy prices, and recover energy from society’s waste.

Health and safety

Meanwhile, Cemex in Thailand recently celebrated Safety Day at its Saraburi cement plant, north of Bangkok. At the event, Cemex in Thailand commemorated 730 days without a lost time incident, a milestone that underscored its long-term commitment to a “Safety First” work culture. This accomplishment showed that injuries and incidents could be eliminated when the whole organisation works together to achieve the safety goal of zero accidents.

Attended by employees from both the Bangkok office and the Saraburi cement plant, Safety Day included numerous festivities and activities, along with many gifts and prizes. The highlight of the day was the Safety Board’s contest, won by the Electric Department.

Health and safety is a high priority for Cemex and all of its employees worldwide. The company is committed to making Cemex a safe workplace and to supporting all aspects of the health and well being of its employees, contractors, and other key stakeholders.

In this spirit, Cemex in Austria was awarded the second prize for Health & Safety from the Austrian Minister of Social Affairs for its project: “Stress management—integral part of employee motivation and accident prevention.” From a field of 24 projects submitted, only four national prize winners were chosen by a jury comprising representatives of employees and employers, accident insurers, ergonomics, and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, and Consumer Protection.

As part of a multi-step “impulse test,” the project began in 2009 with a stress management survey conducted during a health and safety briefing session for 326 employees, approximately two thirds of Cemex in Austria’s total workforce. The men who participated in the survey were primarily from the production sector, while most women came from administrative departments. Their survey questionnaires were statistically evaluated and relevant proposals were referred to the respective heads of business units or departments for implementation.

The proposals of the female employees led to significantly improved communication between production and administrative areas, which resulted in greater employee motivation. Operating procedures at these interfaces were greatly improved and employees felt less stress.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/01092011/cemex_launches_alternative_fuels_projects_in_the_philippines/