PCA announces Energy and Environment Award winners
Published by Lucy Stewardson,
Editorial Assistant
World Cement,
The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has announced the winners of the 2019 Energy and Environment Awards. The awards recognise outstanding environmental and community relations efforts that go above and beyond what is required. Submissions from plants across the US were evaluated and recognised for environmental efforts completed in 2018.
Energy Efficiency – CalPortland (Mojave, California)
The CalPortland Mojave cement plant installed a new classifier system for its vertical roller mill that increased energy efficiency by reducing fan power requirements. The plant also installed an expert control system for the finish mill, which will maximise performance and help reduce wear on equipment. The classifier installation reduced the finish mill energy intensity to between 1.5 kWh/t and 2 kWh/t, and the expert control system reduced energy intensity by 13%. In 2018, 22% of the electricity consumed by the plant came from onsite renewable and wind energy generation. CalPortland has implemented significant energy efficiency measures and its energy management programme has been recognised by the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® programme as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 15 years in a row.
Environmental performance – Roanoke Cement Co./Titan America (Troutville, Virginia)
The Roanoke Cement Co./Titan America Troutville cement plant was the first cement manufacturing plant in the US to receive certification under ISO 50001 for the energy management of all aspects of energy procurement, design, and use. The plant reduced its total electrical consumption by 10% and fossil fuel use by more than 12%. The plant has also implemented a robust alternative fuels programme as part of its certification of the True Zero Waste Programme, administered by Green Business Certification Inc., and has received silver status achieving a 96% rate of waste divergence from landfills.
Innovation – Lehigh Hanson Inc., Permanente Plant (Cupertino, California)
The Lehigh Hanson Inc. Permanente cement plant installed an innovative, state-of-the-art water treatment system, reducing concentrations of metals, including selenium, to meet stringent permit limits. Lehigh Hanson Inc. developed a treatment system that combined ultrafiltration/reverse osmosis technology with biological treatment technology to remove metals, including selenium, and dissolved solids. This treatment system is the first of its kind in the cement industry ensuring that effluent limits are met, while, at the same time, limiting the quantity of waste needed to be managed.
Land stewardship – Buzzi Unicem USA (Greencastle, Indiana)
The Buzzi Unicem USA Greencastle cement plant and the not-for-profit People Pathways organisation officially opened the 2.6 mile smooth packed stone trail as Phase Two of the Putnam Nature Trail. Buzzi Unicem USA staff and People Pathways used heavy equipment for rough clearing and grading of the overgrown former railroad bed, and improved and expanded the physical trail. These areas were then landscaped with trees, numerous native prairie vegetation plugs, interpretive signage, benches, birdhouses, and other features. Additional nature train enhancements include the placement of wildlife monitoring cameras along the trail, the installation of nesting boxes and interpretative signage, and the maintenance of the recently completed restoration of native flora installed in 2017 and 2018.
Outreach – CEMEX Construction Materials South (Lyons, Colorado)
The CEMEX Construction Materials South Lyons cement plant’s staff volunteered at the Rocky Mountain national Park in Boulder, Colorado, performing campground improvement activities at Glacier Basin Campground by moving rocks and fallen timber and clearing existing fire pits of ash deposits. The plant then introduced a new community outreach initiative by hosting a Manufacturing Day event, providing local students tours of the quarry and plant to increase youth interest in pursuing a vocation in skilled trades. Additionally, the plant teamed up with the Celestial Seasons B Strong Ride for cancer care and research for an event aimed at increasing safety awareness while fundraising for two local organisations and their efforts to fight cancer.
“The awards highlight how America’s cement manufacturers are focused on sustainably producing the highest quality product with minimal environmental footprint,” said Michael Ireland, President and CEO of the PCA. “The companies selected for these environmental accolades demonstrate a strong culture of innovation that results in energy efficiency and sustainable manufacturing practices.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/10042019/pca-announces-energy-and-environment-award-winners/
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