Achievements in environmental stewardship and humanitarian aid have led to recognition for the Holcim (US) portland cement plant in Theodore, Ala. The plant was honored with a special commendation by State Sen. Ben Brooks for being “an asset to the corporate community in south Mobile County.”

He cited several prestigious awards the plant has received recently.

The plant won the 2006 Outreach Award from the Portland Cement Association and Cement Americas in the area category of Environmental Performance. The award noted the plant’s participation in various recycling events and in a cleanup of the Mobile Bay and its surrounding waterways. The plant also utilized storm water as cooling/conditioning water in its production process, reducing its reliance on city water and eliminating all canal discharges, increased its use of alternative fuels by 53 percent and installed a Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction system last October, leading to tremendous success in emission control.

The plant was also honored by the Council of State Governments for its assistance in the rebuilding of a rural health clinic that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Holcim (US) is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of cement and mineral components, operating 14 manufacturing plants and over 70 distribution facilities in the United States.