Sources: Environmental Protection Agency; Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.; CP staff
American Cement Co., CalPortland Co. and Texas Lehigh Cement Co. mills in Florida, California and Texas are among 15 plants earning EPA Energy Star Industrial Program certification for the first time in 2017. Of 93 Industrial facilities certified last year, 25 mill portland cement.
Those operations are under 12 producers: Alamo Cement, American Cement, Ash Grove Cement, Lehigh White Cement, Salt River Materials (one certified plant each); Argos USA, CalPortland, Holcim (US) and Titan America (two plants); Buzzi Unicem USA (three plants); Lehigh Cement (four plants); and, Cemex USA (five plants).
“America’s cement producers have a strong culture of innovation that has led to gains in energy efficiency and new sustainable manufacturing practices that continually reduce environmental impacts,” says PCA President Mike Ireland.
“Earning Energy Star certification is a mark of excellence, highlighting companies that are leaders in cutting energy costs and reducing waste,” adds EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum. “This program is in direct line with the administration’s priorities to support American manufacturing—greater efficiency fosters industrial development, greater competitiveness, a strong economy, and a healthy environment.”
The Energy Star Industrial Program provides industry-specific energy benchmarking tools for cement and 16 other types of manufacturing plants. Participants can compare energy performance to industry peers and establish meaningful efficiency targets. The 93 plants attaining 2017 Energy Star certification reduced their energy bills by nearly $350 million; saved more than 60 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) of energy; and, achieved broad emissions reductions, including 4 million metric tons of greenhouse gases.