CEMEX introduce PLC across south-eastern US
Brooksville and Demopolis plants accelerate production of lower-carbon Portland limestone cement
AS part of their efforts to cut CO2 emissions, CEMEX USA have successfully introduced environmentally friendly, lower-carbon Portland limestone cement (PLC) manufactured at their plants in Brooksville, Florida, and Demopolis, Alabama, across the south-eastern US.
Increased PLC production is just one element of CEMEX’s Future in Action programme that focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of the company’s operations and products.
PLC, where finely ground limestone replaces a portion of the clinker, can offer up to a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC). CEMEX USA say extensive testing and customer feedback have shown PLC offers the same, or better, durability and resilience as OPC.
Production of the low-carbon Portland limestone cement at the Brooksville and Demopolis plants has been increased over the last year and currently accounts for more than 50% and more than 20%, respectively, of the cement produced at these operations.
CEMEX USA say they aim to increase the production of PLC, or begin manufacturing the eco-friendly product, at other US cement plants in the coming months.
‘At CEMEX, we acknowledge that climate action is one of the most important issues facing our world, and we are committed to being part of the solution,’ said 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 on the journey.’
In addition to diversifying their product mix with lower-carbon PLC, CEMEX USA say they plan to increase their use of alternative fuels, including biomass, at the Brooksville and Demopolis cement plants, to further reduce CO2 emissions and promote a circular economy.
Alternative fuels are expected to account for 30% of fuels used in the manufacturing process at the Brooksville plant by the end of 2022.
