what’s working: sustainability
Solid Global Leadership on Cement Production
Washington’s only cement producer is one of the greenest and cleanest
in the nation — just ask the Environmental Protection Agency.
employer: Ash Grove Cement
location: Seattle
number of employees: 2,650 nationally
STRONG FOUNDATIONS.
STRONG FUTURE.
product: Ash Grove Cement’s plant on the industrial Seattle waterfront is the only cement producer in
Washington. It makes the “glue” that binds the concrete used in Seattle skyscrapers and highways. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency certified Ash Grove’s Seattle operation with its Energy Star label in 2015,
recognizing its performance in the top 25 percent of cement manufacturing facilities for energy efficiency.
innovative environmental stewardship: Ash Grove first came to Seattle when it purchased an
existing facility in 1986. The company immediately began making plans to demolish and rebuild the wet process
kiln with a highly efficient five-stage preheater/precalciner kiln system, which started operation in 1992. More
recently, to help produce more cement with less energy, the company automated the plant’s compressed air
system, saving 1 million kilowatt hours each year. Upgrades to lighting at the plant saved 540,000 kilowatt
hours. And even bigger savings came from adjusting the raw material blend to improve mill efficiency — this
saved 3.5 million kilowatt hours. All told, efficiency moves saved enough electricity to power about 500 homes.
As a 134-year-old company, Ash Grove is clearly in it for the long haul.
in their own words: “All our plants and employees have worked very hard when it comes to efficiency
and conservation of resources. The Seattle plant once again regaining Energy Star certification is the result of
our employees’ significant efforts.”
— Andy Lippert, corporate energy director,
Ash Grove Cement Company.
www.ashgrove.com
20 association of washington business