The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) granted Holcim Lebanon the international certification ISO 14001 for its eco-friendly management system, the cement industry announced Wednesday in a press conference at the Intercontinental Vendome Hotel in Beirut. "The ISO certification guarantees a platform for an environmental management system which is defined by international standards. Holcim Lebanon will continue to ensure an constant reduction of the impact of its activities and an amelioration of its environmental performance," said Vincent Bouckaert, Holcim’s general manager. Bouckaert said he was proud of his company’s sustainable development policy.
"Our company is aware of the impact of its activities on the environment and that is why we are adopting all the necessary means to reduce negative effects by using the latest technologies to control the emissions of toxins, CO2 and pollutants," said Rita Slameh, Holcim Lebanon quality’s control manager. Salameh said the company is maintaining a clear environmental policy and a transparent communication plan, and is committed to preserving natural resources and reducing its impact on the environment.
The company’s cement plant in Chekka is said to be the largest one in Lebanon and has an annual output of 2.2Mt. Holcim (Liban) employs a total staff of 300. Presently, four cement companies are operating in Lebanon and total cement production in the country reaches between 4.5Mt and 5Mt, officials said. The annual consumption on the local market amounts to about 2.5Mt, while the remaining output is exported to Syria and Iraq. In Lebanon, one tonne of cement presently retails at US$58 plus a 10 per cent value added tax (VAT).
