The most ambitious capital undertaking in the 11-year history of Lehigh Hanson Inc. entails a four-year, $600 million-plus modernization and expansion of the Lehigh Cement Co. Mitchell plant, aimed at increasing capacity from present 660,000-metric ton/year level; lowering energy usage and emissions per ton of finished cement; and, continuing to leverage the southern Indiana site’s limestone riches.
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The Mitchell plant is strategic to Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley markets. |
“The modernization of the Mitchell plant will enable us to produce cement more efficiently and sustainably through the use of state-of-the-art technology and the latest in environmental controls and systems,” says Lehigh Hanson CEO Jon Morrish. “The capabilities of the new plant will enable us to better serve our existing customer base in the Midwest while also expanding our reach in this growing market.”
Lehigh Hanson anticipates a mid-2019 completion of a permitting process with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, leading into a 2020-2022 construction schedule. The producer has worked with local and state officials in recent years to develop additional infrastructure surrounding the mill, topped by a road connecting the property to Indiana Route 37—alleviating truck congestion in the center of town. Overall logistics will change as part of the modernization to accommodate additional rail activity supporting increased cement shipments.