UK cement business scoops EMAS award for innovative water-management solution
LAFARGE Cement UK have scooped the annual Large Business European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme Award (EMAS) for their innovative water-management solution, developed at their Cauldon Works in Staffordshire and rolled out across their network of sites.
Lafarge were praised at the Brussels event for showing excellence in respecting and safeguarding the environment by applying a pioneering water-management system – Water Footprinting and water efficiency improvements – across six of their UK sites.
The company’s Water Footprinting scheme identifies where the greatest volume of water is used during the whole life cycle in the manufacture of cement at a specific site and implements new management methods and decisions. The initiative addresses water consumed at the Lafarge site itself as well as the entire supply chain and end-user.
The knowledge gained through the scheme has allowed choices to be made to reduce the water intensity of the cement including reduction of coal use with more sustainable waste fuels, which reduce both the embedded water and carbon content as well as making the process increasingly sustainable.
Each of the 27 entries from 14 European countries was judged by an expert panel chaired by executive director of the European Environment Agency, Professor Jacqueline McGlade.
Launched in 2005, the EMAS have been designed by the European Commission to reward the efforts of registered organizations which are striving to improve their environmental and financial performance while also showcasing their latest sustainability initiatives. Lafarge Cement previously won this award in 2008 for their work on reducing carbon.
Dave Shenton, national environment manager, at Lafarge Cement UK, said: ‘The recognition from this award is testament to the dedication and hard work of our team who have overcome numerous challenges in reaching our water-management and sustainability objectives.
‘It is a significant milestone for Lafarge Cement UK – as well as the industry more broadly – and we will use this as the benchmark for further improvements to our operations as we strive for even greater reductions in the resources we use while still offering the best quality products and services.’
Martin Baxter, executive director for policy at the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), said: ‘Lafarge Cement UK have shown real leadership in improving their environmental performance. Winning the European EMAS award is recognition of their achievement in reducing their environmental footprint.’
