SKOKIE, Ill. – The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine acknowledged the Lafarge North America Roberta cement plant in Calera, Ala., as part of the 2006 Cement Industry Energy & Environmental Awards. The plant was a finalist in the Energy Efficiency category that recognizes a plant’s applications of efficiency technology and practices as well as climate change mitigation efforts.

The Roberta plant has many energy efficiency initiatives. It is one of 17 first-time recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERY STAR awards. The award was in recognition for its energy-efficiency operations. The plant conducts annual kiln and mill audits to ensure that key components are functioning properly and to identify potential areas for optimization. Additionally, by using alternative fuels and materials, the Roberta plant was about to increase production at the same time it reduced coal consumption by 41,000 tons.

“The cement industry is dedicated to producing a superior product while continuously challenging manufacturing policies and procedures to minimize our environmental footprint,” said Charlie T. Sunderland, PCA chairman and CEO of Ash Grove Cement Company. “The awards program recognizes these ongoing efforts.”

The Cement Industry Energy & Environmental Awards honor individual cement facilities that exemplify the spirit of continuous environmental improvement and support this spirit with action. These plants go beyond government regulations and local laws to ensure that their processes contributed to making their communities better places to live and work. Five categories are recognized: Outreach, Environmental Performance, Land Stewardship, Innovation, and Energy Efficiency. Additionally a special honor was presented to plants demonstrating excellence in multiple categories.

History of the Awards
The awards program was created in 2000 by the Portland Cement Association as part of its renewed environment and energy strategic plan for the U.S. cement industry. PCA and Cement Americas magazine presented the first Cement Industry Environmental Awards in 2002 to the winners for 2001. The awards honor activities conducted during the previous calendar year, and the program is open to any cement manufacturing plant in North America. Judges for the awards represent independent groups such as PCA, Cement Americas magazine, the Cement Association of Canada, World Resources Institute, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Wildlife Fund.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.