| Protecting the Environment |
Holcim’s efforts to protect the environment include reclamation of mining areas to return the land to productive uses and to combat erosion. We also monitor and safeguard plant emissions. Our cement plants are equipped with highly effective anti-pollution devices that filter small particles out of the emissions to ensure proper air quality. Atmospheric Emissions Alongside carbon dioxide, cement production results in the emission of a certain number of substances to the atmosphere. We are committed to measuring, monitoring, and publicly reporting our emissions in ways that will allow others to judge our performance. The implementation of our corporate Emissions Monitoring and Reporting (EMR) standard is part of delivering this commitment, and is improving the coverage of our data. |
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Quarry Management Other than fuel, the essential raw materials for cement production are limestone, marl, and clay, which are obtained by quarrying. We have 150 cement-related quarries in operation across the world. In order to minimize impacts on local communities, landscape, and ecology, we have a number of systems and standard tools in place to manage our quarries responsibly. These include quarry optimization tools, engineering and design systems, and quarry visualization. As part of our commitment to the Cement Sustainability Initiative, we will develop quarry rehabilitation plans for all our operating cement-related quarries by 2006. Quarrying Noise, vibration, dust, groundwater, habitat destruction, wildlife displacement or loss, and visual impact are the principal issues of concern for quarries. These are managed through required site assessments, and monitoring and mitigation programs. Mitigation measures for noise and vibration include careful blast design, the complete enclosure of processing equipment, and the management of truck traffic to and from operating sites. Groundwater effects are managed by design of water handling systems to protect surrounding lands. Dust suppression measures include enclosure of crushing areas and conveyors as well as the installation of water spraying systems. Habitat destruction, wildlife displacement or loss, and visual impact are reduced through quarry design, by berming and tree planting, and through the design and implementation of site reclamation and rehabilitation plans. Recycling Recycling to improve the environment is a prime concern at Holcim (US). For example, at some plants we use fly ash from electric power plants to help supply natural elements required for cement production. In addition, heat and dust are captured during the production process to make our kilns run more efficiently and cleanly. Resource Utilization Efficient use of natural resources is an important cornerstone of our environmental policy. We promote eco-efficiency, conservation of non-renewable natural resources and recycling of secondary materials (waste and industrial by-products). This is done without increasing our atmospheric emissions or impacting product quality and achieves reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing the environmental footprint of cement can be done in three primary ways—by substituting natural raw materials with industrial by-products; by replacing fossil fuels with alternative fuels from industrial waste streams; and through process efficiency improvements. |
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Solid Waste Cement kiln dust (CKD) and bypass dust are the only significant solid wastes produced by the cement industry. We are committed to recycling these wastes where possible and to reducing the CKD disposal rate, in order to improve our eco-efficiency and reduce our carbon dioxide emissions. Holcim is working to cease or minimize CKD production as much as possible in its manufacturing processes and has established a goal of zero percent CKD being sent to landfills by 2006. Where CKD production cannot be completely stopped, due to uniqueness of the manufacturing process or raw materials characteristics, Holcim strives to either reintroduce the CKD back into the production process where technically feasible, or distribute the product for soil stabilization or other beneficial uses. |
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Supplemental Fuels At selected plants, we have been using supplemental fuels such as used paint thinners, used dry cleaning fluids and industrial solvents to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the recovery of energy from these fuels and acknowledges that the cement kiln offers excellent technology for doing so. With the highly efficient burning temperatures in the kilns, we can eliminate as much as 99.9999 percent of organic materials. Tire Derived Fuel At some of the Holcim (US) plants, we are helping remedy the serious problem of disposal of used tires. By supplementing our fuel with these high-heat-value tires, we can save fuel costs, preserve natural resources, and rid the landscape of unsightly and dangerous piles of tires. There are several advantages to using tires as fuel: • Tires produce the same amount of energy as oil and 25% more energy than coal. • The ash residues from tire derived fuel may contain lower heavy metals content than some coals. • Results in lower nitrous gas emissions when compared to many U.S. coals, particularly the high-sulfur coals. |
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Transport Cement is a low priced and heavy weight commodity and our distribution strategies are driven primarily by cost considerations. Short distance trips and bagged product transport are mainly covered by truck; longer distances are covered by water and rail transport. In 2004, about 70% of product was transported by road, while transport by rail (20%) and barge (10%) shared the remainder. Water The environmental impact of water use in cement production is relatively small, particularly in modern dry process facilities. Water is used mainly for cooling exhaust gases and equipment, and for slurry preparation in wet kilns. Our plants take steps to minimize the impact of process effluent, for example through the installation of settling ponds or closed loop water cycles. |
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Learn about Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR)
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Read the Holcim Group AFR Policy
