Developing its activity in a resource intensive business, our group faces environment as a fundamental value of its corporate sustainability policy, together with economic development and social welfare. 

An eclectic and valuable product

Focusing on our product is a crucial way to succeed in this commitment with the environment. In modern societies, there is no doubt that cement is a key element for citizens to achieve a high level of welfare and comfort. Made of cement, concrete is a reliable, universal, versatile, fire resistant and recyclable construction material providing basic services to society, such as accommodation, water supplying, sanitation and accessibilities. Concrete also contributes to climate change adaptation (as when used in defenses against flooding and rising sea level) and mitigation (by means of its eco-efficient features such as local supply, thermal mass properties, solar reflectance, reduced fuel consumption when used in roads and long service life buildings). 

Notwithstanding our product’s global benefits, it is also evident that, as any other industrial company highly depending on natural resources use, CIMPOR Global Holdings's activity has potential significant impacts on the environment as a whole with the subsequent social impacts.

Our challenge: improving environmental performance

Our challenge is, then, focused in promoting sustainable production, developing new products and promoting consumption patterns in which environmental performance and competitiveness go hand in hand, protecting, at the same time, the quality of life of present and future generations.

Improving the environmental performance of our business and operating units has long been a key element of CIMPOR’s policy. Some of the main directions to attain this improvement are clearly defined but not limited to:

• Energy & climate protection;
• Pollutant emissions monitoring and control;
• Sustainable use of resources;
• Proper land use and quarry management;
• Biodiversity protection;
• Waste prevention and proper management;
• Promotion of environmental management systems (EMS) certification, environmental agreements and voluntary schemes;
• Occupational Health & Safety assurance, giving the strong relation with environmental aspects.

Our environmental performance is measured and assessed and reported according to the directives or sector guidelines.

The integration of environmental protection requirements into affiliate company’s practices, along with our growth into new economies, has been a central element of CIMPOR’s corporate policy since it was first introduced in a formal way late in the new millennium.

Our environmental commitments

Acknowledging the relevance of some of the environmental impacts associated to our activity, we will pursue the technical modernization of cement plants, grinding stations and other facilities in order to make our economic and social role compatible with our environmental protection principles. In the strict respect of these principles, CIMPOR Global Holdings commits to:

• Complying with environmental legislation, assuring the adoption of best management practices and continuous improvement;
• Adopting gradually a life-cycle perspective in the decision making process with regard to product development; 
• Assessing all the environmental impacts of our activity and implementing the appropriate measures for their prevention and mitigation, taking into account the best available techniques;
• Improving the efficient use of raw materials, energy and natural resources in general;
• Developing, implementing and keeping EMS in all our cement plants and grinding stations and certifying them according to recognized international standards;
• Assuring on an ongoing basis the improvement of our environmental performance, meeting and updating our environmental targets and providing the required financial resources as well as the adequate training and awareness of our employees and other internal stakeholders;
• Implementing the right environmental monitoring and reporting systems in every operating unit where we develop our business, either in the existing ones or those that will be integrated in the future;
• Investing in R&D projects oriented towards the improvement of our products and processes for the benefit of the environment;
• Making sure our employees are committed with the environmental policy, adopting the right behavior and practices and complying with its principles as part of their daily functions;
• Communicating our environmental commitments and performance at all company’s levels, to the public and other stakeholders, keeping at the same time an open dialogue towards all of them.