USA: centenary up for Victorville plant

Cemex Victorville has been celebrating its 100th-year anniversary in producing cement in the Victor Valley for customers in California and western USA.

The plant, which opened its doors on Labor Day in 1916, was recognised by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for the company's contributions as "a cornerstone" of the local economy and a community partner.

"Cemex has been a tremendous company in our community," First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood said. "For a century, generations of High Desert residents have worked at the cement plant, earning good wages to provide for their families."

In August Cemex announced its Victorville plant achieved the US Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star certification for 2016 for its efforts in energy efficiency and sustainability. It was the fifth time the plant was recognised.

"The effort these plants put into their sustainability initiatives, day in and day out, is a shining example for our industry," said Dr Hugo Bolio, executive vice president cement operations and technology for Cemex USA. "We're very proud of the work they've done to attain Energy Star certification this year."

Cemex acquired the Victorville plant from Southdown in 2000. Over the last four years, Cemex has installed 400ft high wind turbines in an attempt to cut carbon emissions and energy costs. The two turbines in Victorville produce an estimated 6500MWh of electricity in an average year, sufficient to sustain 650 average homes, according to Cemex.