Buzzi Unicem

Furthering its sustainability goals, Buzzi Unicem USA is investing in renewable energy, fostering research into new technologies and placing a ‘sustainability mindset’ at the forefront.

Using renewable energy is key to cutting CO₂ emissions. Alamo Cement Company, Buzzi Unicem USA’s plant in San Antonio, Texas, has installed a 42-acre, 10-megawatt DC capacity solar panel farm, allowing the plant to reduce its power use from the grid and cut CO₂ emissions significantly.

Alamo’s solar project is the largest customer-owned solar farm in the local energy service area, expected to contribute to 15% of the cement plant’s total power consumption at a capacity of 17,800 megawatt-hours per year, the equivalent of powering over 1,200 San Antonio-area homes annually. This reduction in fossil fuel use avoids nearly 7,300 metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year, as well as other environmental impacts from traditional power generation, such as nitrogen oxide (NO_x) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂).

The project is a large-scale investment in plant-owned renewable energy production that will have a major impact in meeting Alamo and Buzzi’s sustainability goals. As energy demands rise, the on-site power system has the additional benefit of reducing dependence on the local power grid, alleviating stress on the electrical grid serving the San Antonio region. An on-site renewable energy source is more energy efficient, avoiding the approximately 5% transmission loss that occurs on local power grids. In recognition of these strides in energy efficiency, Alamo has been named an EPA ENERGY STAR® certified plant. It is estimated that approximately 9% of the planned reductions in carbon dioxide emissions to reach net zero will come from the decarbonization of electricity.

Throughout the company, there are many projects underway to increase efficiency and cut emissions. Buzzi Unicem is committed to reducing CO₂ emissions at all facilities. For example, current innovations include shifting to increase the use of alternative fuels and optimizing the clinker to cement ratio. At a flagship plant in Italy, Buzzi is investing in research to develop carbon-reducing technology. At-scale carbon capture, utilization and storage technology is still limited, but once it is more efficient, it can be replicated at other plants, including those in the U.S.

“We are thrilled by the Alamo plant’s energy efficiencies as a result of the solar farm,” said Massimo Toso, CEO of Buzzi Unicem USA and Portland Cement Association Vice Chairman. “Investment in solar power and other renewable energies is critical as the cement and concrete industry continues to meet its carbon reduction goals.”

Through several innovations and implementation of a supply chain wide code of conduct, Buzzi Unicem USA is able to make a substantial difference in the fight against climate change. By using technology in Buzzi plants across the world, CO₂ emissions will decrease, helping the industry reach its goal of carbon neutrality.