Sustainability at CEMEX
CEMEX, a leading global
cement company headquartered in Mexico, has a rich history of improving the
wellbeing of those it serves through its efforts to pursue innovative industry
solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable
future. Since launching its Eco-efficiency Program in 1994,
CEMEX is aggressively
pursuing a leadership role in the development of products and building
solutions that reduce the environmental impacts of construction projects while
fostering social and economic growth. CEMEX product innovations help to improve
the sustainability of buildings and other structures (such as with
self-compacting concrete, which has a dense formulation, improves the strength,
durability, and life of a structure, while reducing labor costs, energy use,
and health risks during construction, and maintenance costs throughout its
life). The company is evaluating and improving the LCA (life-cycle analysis) of
its products to enhance the understanding of, and ultimately reduce, its environmental
footprint. A specific example is the LCA of concrete pavements versus asphalt
pavements that demonstrate the reduction of CO2 emissions during the life
utility of the pavement by several factors, though, for example,
less maintenance, less
power consumption in illumination during its use, and less fuel consumption due
to reduced rolling resistance. Through partnerships with private enterprises,
governments, and academic institutions, CEMEX supports programs that help
people in emerging markets gain the knowledge to save money for housing, start
a business, build homes and infrastructure, and help improve community
services. Over 450,000 Latin American families benefited from Patrimonio Hoy, Productive Centers of Self- Employment, and
ConstruApoyo. Combining the global presence of CEMEX
distribution with the power of microcredit, Patrimonio Hoy offers
integral solutions to low-income families by providing financial and technical
assistance in the construction of their homes. Productive Centers of
Self-Employment are community spaces where individuals manufacture concrete
blocks and other precast forms, keeping half of their production for personal
construction purposes while selling the other half to state and municipal
governments. Today, there are 76 such centers in Mexico and Columbia. Through
its ConstruApoyo program, CEMEX
facilitates the distribution of funds for the construction, repair, or
extension of homes with a prepaid debit card system, creating a transparent system
through which aid recipients are able to purchase the building materials they
need. Identifying the impacts created by an industry can aid in the development
and implementation of a sustainability strategy. The cement industry embarked on
a collaborative research project to identify the challenges and opportunities
in achieving sustainability. The environmental issues include:
1-
.
Depletion of nonrenewable resources (i.e., fossil fuels)
2-
Impacts of resource extraction on landscape
and environmental quality
3-
Dust emissions
4-
l
Other emissions including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide
The industry has positive and negative social impacts. Communities
are concerned about health effects, worker safety, noise, and dust. On the
other hand, in many developing countries, cement companies are contributing to
improved roads and sewers, and training workers. The economic issues include
job creation and economic growth due to the development of cement facilities
and
financial prosperity for the company.17 The cement industry will
continue to face challenges. To succeed, companies in this industry must
monitor changes in the industry, be proactive in responding to challenges, and
realize the opportunities that effective management of these challenges can
have for the company and for society.
