Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua

Beating the Odds for a Cleaner Environment

Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua is a manufacturer of cement products that has a presence in Bolivia, Mexico, and the United States. Founded in 1941, GCC initially had a 60,000-ton yearly output but has expanded.

Currently, with a yearly 4 million ton cement production capacity, it is now one of the leading manufacturers of cement, aggregates, and concrete.

GCC recognizes the harmful effects that the industrial sector poses on air quality the environment and has joined the green movement. They have taken it upon themselves to reform and continually better the areas that they are operating in, specifically in spotting, preventing, and managing the environmental aspects of their daily functions.

In the pursuit of green building, GCC has made substantial pro-environment investments. GCC's environmental investments have been implemented in their concrete plants in Jarudo, Homero, and Porvenir and are in the form of fuel handling systems, water recycling systems, and powder collection systems.

Other pro-green efficiency measures that GCC has undertaken include:

• Minimization of fossil fuel consumption by substituting clinker for fillers in their final grinding process, which is an essential part in manufacturing cement.
• Minimization of paper usage by reducing layers and weight in the packing of cement.

The company was nominated in 2007 by the PCA's Energy and Environment Awards in the "Energy Efficiency" category.