Cementos Progreso of Guatemala has joined the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) as its first affiliate member, a new level created this year by CSI to expand its membership base and facilitate the initial steps for new joiners of the initiative.

Cementos Progreso was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Guatemala City, Guatemala. As a key player in construction industry in Latin America, the Company operates through three segments: cement, ready-mix concrete, and lime. The company produces, distributes, and sells cement and cement-related materials, such as clinker, ready-mix concrete, and dry-mix products, as well as produces and sells lime for use in construction, agriculture, and mining operations.

"Cementos Progreso is delighted and honoured to join the respected program of the CSI” said José Raúl Gonzaléz, Chief Executive Officer of Cementos Progreso. “Our company has almost 120 years of history and, true to the legacy of our founder, we have a strong commitment to faithfully carry forward all our operations in a sustainable manner, seeking a balance between economic growth, environmental sustainability and the social well-being of our employees and the communities where we operate".

Affiliate level
The Affiliate level was created with an inclusive approach appealing to all progressive cement producers who have keen interest to enhance sustainability performance, the CSI noted. It is intended as an interim transitional step to enable the joining companies to achieve the level required for full membership in a gradual manner, within a three-year timeframe.

“The sustainability approach of Cementos Progreso is remarkable because it is ambitious and proactive on the one hand, while being humble on the other hand”, said Philippe Fonta, Managing Director of the CSI. “We have been discussing with the company for several months and I am very happy that we can now materialize this cooperation through the officially joining of Cementos Progreso”.