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.