Italian Prime Minister switches on the new kiln at the Rezzato cement plant
Italy’s Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, visited Italcementi’s Rezzato cement plant to officially switch on its new kiln. This represents the start of operations at the site following an extensive two-year revamp project, which has ensured that the plant is among one of the top performing in Europe in terms of production and the environment. More than 600 people were involved in the upgrade work at the site, including Italcementi engineers and subcontractor personnel.
The 1 million tpa plant employs 118 people and provides work to a further 160 people in ancillary industries. The plant manufactures white cement and the basic material for the biodynamic cement that is due to be used to construct the external structure of Palazzo Italia at Expo 2015.
Whilst visiting the site, the Italian Prime Minister met employees and engineers who work at the facility, as well as the team involved in the revamp and a group of researchers. The research team develops innovative products, e.g. transparent cement used in the Palazzo Italia at Expo Shanghai 2010, the biodynamic cement for Expo Milano 2015, and BravoBlock, which is designed to provide a high level of seismic safety and durability for private and social buildings such as schools.
“An investment of more than €150 million completed just as our company celebrates its 150th anniversary, the new Rezzato plant is the best expression of the Group’s strategy: industrial development combined with a firm commitment to innovation and environmental performance,” said Carlo Pesenti, Italcementi CEO.
“The Rezzato plant revamp is part of the Pact for the Environment signed by Italcementi and the Ministry in July 2009, which set out an investment programme for the renewal of our industrial network and attainment of ambitious environmental targets,” added Pesenti. “Our commitment also includes Italgen, the Italcementi Group company that produces energy entirely from renewable sources. In addition to the Rezzato revamp, to date the Italcementi investment plan has also seen a complete technological upgrade at our Matera facility, officially opened two years ago.”
The revamp in figures
- €150 million euro invested in the plant renewal.
- 1 700 000 hours of engineering and site work.
- 6000 technical drawings.
- 600 people: subcontractor personnel and Italcementi Group personnel.
- 33 companies involved in the project, including 11 from the Brescia area.
Environmental benefits
- 75% overall emissions reduction when fully operational.
- 20% reduction in energy consumption.
- 8% reduction in use of raw materials.
- 90 000 m2 surface area, coated with photocatalytic products to eliminate pollutants (the largest such surface for a production facility anywhere in the world).
Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/04112014/italian-prime-minister-officially-opens-rezzato-cement-plant-following-revamp-791/
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