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Votorantim Cimentos’ Corumbá plant wins Green Seal award

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World Cement,


Votorantim Cimentos’ Corumbá plant in Brazil has been recognised for its environmental performance with the Green Seal award. The award recognises industries in Mato Grosso do Sul for environmental preservation of public and private institutions in the region.

The Corumbá plant has an Environmental Management System, through which all employees are involved in reducing atmospheric emissions, energy and water consumption and increase the use of alternative fuels in place of fossil fuels. This was the first time the plant had signed up to the Eco-Efficiency Program and it has already won the award, for which a score of 81 – 100 points is required.

Plant Manager Jorge Luis Velasco Maingon said: "The Green Seal appreciates a serious and dedicated work that the professionals in our factory carry out so the company becomes more and more eco-efficient. It is therefore a victory for all and we are very honoured by this recognition."

The activities which formed the basis of this award include:

Water management – the plant reduced industrial water consumption by 40% in 1H15 compared to the same period of 2014, through the installation of seven water meters and optimisation of the Treatment Station and reuse of Industrial Water in the unit. 

Reuse of waste - In the last 12 months, the average rate of reuse achieved by the unit was 75%. During this period, the company secured the allocation of 100% of the organic waste generated in the cafeteria by installing a composting unit to meet the demand for material from the food preparation and rest of food. 

Emissions control - To control and reduce emissions, the unit invested in diversifying the energy matrix, replacing part of the fossil fuel with biomass, such as rice husk and sawdust. To ensure transparency and commitment to current legislation, the factory carries out online monitoring of emissions, 24 hours a day, providing access also to the analysis of IMASUL (Environmental Institute of Mato Grosso do Sul). Monitoring is conducted in the kiln, cement grinding and grinding fuel, enabling the analysis and full control. 

Environmental education - Employees of Corumbá's plant also conduct an Environmental Education Rolling Program in the State School Carlos Castro, where they share the experiences and social and environmental values, contributing to the mobilization for the preservation of local, regional and global environment. Another action that contributes to the dialogue on social and environmental actions was the Environmental Open Doors Program, which received about 70 people this year, to talk about the company's environmental policy and the actions taken in Corumbá plant.

Social development - In Corumbá, the plant also contributes to the appreciation of the local culture, through the partnership in the construction of the Pantanal Museum (Muhpan) and realization of Muhpan Itinerant Project - Sounds and Tones, leading exhibitions, dramatic arts and crafts workshops to schools, associations and communities. 

To better manage the actions in the environmental area, the company formed in April 2015, an environmental management committee.  The committee consists of 12 employees, and monitors various activities to identify points of attention. From these surveys, practical solutions to prevent and control events will be developed, such as oil leakage, water leakage and gas emissions outside the normal pattern.


Adapted from press release by

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/22122015/votorantim-cimentos-corumb%C3%A1-plant-wins-green-seal-award-227/

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