Cement industry aims to improve sustainability

"TEN of the world’s largest cement producers, including Cemex, Heidelberger, Italcementi, Lafarge and RMC, are collaborating in a two-year, $4.0 million project on sustainable development which aims to pave the way for positive changes over an extended period to make the cement industry a ‘credible global participant’ in a sustainable future."

"As major users of energy and natural resources, the sector has been aware for many years of its social and environmental obligations, however this is the first time that leading industry figures have aligned their companies behind a common objective. The study — the largest project of its kind ever undertaken by the cement industry — is being undertaken by the non-profit-making Battelle Institute and co-ordinated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development."

"Once the project’s findings have been published later this year and stakeholder interest has been determined, the 10 manufacturers from Mexico, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, Japan and Brazil, who between them represent about 30% of global cement production, plan to prepare a response document addressing their plans and timetables for acting on the study’s recommendations. It is anticipated that this will be published in the second quarter of 2002."