“A landmark for the cement industry” was how Dr Pal Chana, executive director of the Mineral Products Association (MPA), described the industry’s performance against its Environment Agency agreed Sector Plan targets for 2010.

In 2005, MPA Cement members entered into an historic five year environmental performance programme with the Environment Agency setting demanding targets to be met by 2010. The ‘Cement Industry Sector Plan’ has the primary objective to deliver improved performance in a wide range of areas against a 1998 baseline.

Dr Chana said “I am delighted to report that against our 2010 Environment Agency agreed targets, the cement industry has not only met them, but surpassed them by some considerable margin in most cases. It is worth reminding ourselves of just how significant this progress has been:

• Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emissions down 59%
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions down 87%
• Dust emissions from all sources down 83%
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions down 22%
Note: kg/t of Portland cement equivalent
(kg/t PCe)

Dr Chana added, “This step change in performance has not come easily or cheaply. It has taken multi-million pound investments against a backdrop of changing environmental legislation and ever more challenging EU and UK climate change policies. Yet, the industry has done everything asked of it and more. We are immensely proud of this achievement and determined to maintain these high standards as we move forward.”

MPA Cement Chairman, Jon Morrish, commented: “The cement industry continues to go from strength-to-strength in delivering on its environmental commitments. When we agreed our 2010 targets with the Environment Agency we knew they were challenging and would take time, money and determination to succeed. MPA Cement members have invested in all three areas to achieve these outstanding results and I thank and congratulate every one of the industry’s employees for their contributions.”

The industry now looks forward to developing objectives and targets for the next decade.