Continental Cement celebrates $38M investment in alternative fuel technology
Summit Materials, Inc.,has completed the first global pre-commercial installation of the FLSmidth FUELFLEX™ Pyrolyzer system, which enhances the use of non-hazardous alternative fuels at its Buffalo, Iowa Cement Plant. This $38 million investment expands Summit’s Green America Recycling operation, enabling the plant to replace approximately 55% of its fossil fuel usage with non-hazardous waste. This achievement is a key milestone in Summit's sustainability goals and supports the Company's Carbon Reduction roadmap.
To celebrate this achievement, the Quad Cities Chamber and Summit hosted a ribbon cutting event at the plant. The event was attended by State and local elected officials, Summit Materials management, Chamber officials, customers and suppliers.
“As part of our commitment to being the most socially responsible construction materials company, we are proud to pioneer and invest in innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Anne Noonan, Summit Materials President and CEO. “As the largest U.S.-based cement company, it’s our responsibility to lead in addressing emission reduction goals in a way that adds value. The FuelFlex investment is a tremendous opportunity to meet our sustainability targets while delivering significant savings to our bottom line. We estimate this project will cut our coal and petcoke consumption by over 50,000 tons annually while delivering significant savings. This investment clearly demonstrates that we are building a cement business capable of meeting the opportunities and challenges of a dynamic marketplace."
David Loomes, EVP & President of Summit’s Cement Segment, added, “We identified FuelFlex as a cutting-edge technology that not only reduces our reliance on fossil fuels but also improves plant efficiencies, material flow and overall throughput. Summit’s a leader in using waste materials to fuel our cement plants. This unique strength creates benefits for our customers and communities by consuming waste which would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled, while delivering a vital construction material with lower embodied carbon. I commend our entire team for their tireless efforts in safely completing this project. Their flawless execution truly exemplifies our Summit values, extends our sustainability leadership and enhances the overall quality of our business.”
"This is the second time we've been out to Continental Cement in the last two years, and that is an exciting thing because it means we're growing, we're expanding, the Quad Cities is thriving," said Peter Tokar, III, President & CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber.
About Summit Materials
Summit Materials is a market-leading producer of aggregates and cement with vertically integrated operations that supply ready-mix concrete and asphalt in select markets. Summit is a geographically diverse, materials-led business of scale that offers customers in the United States and British Columbia, Canada high quality products and services for the public infrastructure, residential and non-residential end markets. Summit has a strong track record of successful acquisitions since its founding and continues to pursue high-return growth opportunities in new and existing markets.