Sources: Cemex USA, Houston; CP staff
Cemex USA has increased portland limestone cement (PLC) output at its Brooksville, Fla., and Demopolis, Ala. plants for concrete customers and contractors across the southeastern United States. With finely graded limestone blended at up to 10 percent, PLC or Type IP powder has a lower carbon footprint than ordinary portland cement due to the reduced content of energy-intensive clinker. Cemex test results and customer feedback show PLC offering the same or better performance in durability and resilience when compared to a pure clinker binder.
Stepped up production and promotion over the past year have seen Type IP account for more than 50 percent and 20 percent of respective Brooksville and Demopolis output. Cemex USA aims to increase or commence PLC production through its cement operations in 2022.
“We acknowledge that climate action is one of the most important issues facing our world, and are committed to being part of the solution,” says Cemex USA President Jaime Muguiro. “Our company has ambitious emission-reduction targets, and by offering lower carbon products that deliver brilliant performance like portland limestone cement, we can continue to work toward those goals while encouraging customers to join us in the journey.”
In addition to diversifying blended cement offerings, the producer plans to increase its use of alternative fuels, including biomass, at the Brooksville and Demopolis operations—further reducing carbon dioxide emissions and abiding circular economy principles. Alternative fuels are expected to account for 30 percent Brooksville kiln output by year end.
Alternative fuel adoption and PLC market development dovetail the Cemex corporate Future in Action program, which calls for a 40 percent CO2 emissions reduction by 2030 using cement operations’ 1990 baseline levels. That effort will contribute to the producer’s commitment to delivering net-zero carbon concrete throughout global operations by 2050.
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