Sources: Holcim (US) Inc., Waltham, Mass.; CP staff

Holcim (US) has opened one of the world’s largest cement operations on a 3,900-acre, Mississippi River front site, capping nearly 10 years of permitting and upwards of $1 billion in equipment, construction and site investments. With production capacity of 4 million metric tons/year and access to population centers consuming 5–10 times that output, the Ste. Genevieve County, Mo., plant becomes a crown jewel for Holcim (US) and Swiss parent Holcim Group.

Acknowledging a safety-minded construction team, which peaked at 2,500-plus workers, Holcim (US) CEO Bernard Terver noted, “This plant and our robust network of terminals and distribution assets will ensure a reliable supply of the highest quality cement to our valued customers for many years to come.” Ste. Gen is one of the most environmentally efficient cement production facilities ever operated, he added, and reflects major commitments to minimize emissions, protect air quality, and conserve natural resources.

The cement plant and quarry have an initial payroll of 250. A harbor and fleeting facility along the Mississippi, coupled with some of the largest silos ever built, will enable Holcim (US) to traffic more than 75 percent of plant materials and finished products by barge--maximizing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The added Ste. Gen capacity stands to make up for production lost to plant closings due to company streamlining, with older mills in Dundee, Mich.; Mason City, Iowa; Clarksville, Mo.; and Artesia, Miss., all being mothballed in the last year. Combined capacity for the four closed plants is about 3.7 million metric tpy.