B<\/span>uzzi S.p.A is an Italian company, quoted on the Borsa Italiana, that produces cement, ready mix concrete, and construction aggregates. Massimo Toso, President & CEO Buzzi Unicem USA, has been with the business for 20 years: in his current role and based in the US for the past ten years, and prior to that, managing the Italian market.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are an international company,\u201d he begins. \u201cPresent in 14 different countries, but mostly in Europe, Africa and South America, namely Mexico and Brazil. We operate 28 cement plants around the world. Of those 28, eight are in the US. As such, we have a strong US footprint. This market is very important for us, representing more than 60 percent of both our turnover and profit.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAround the world, we employ about 10,000 people; more than 2200 of whom are in the US, predominantly in the northeast, Midwest, and Texas. We are one of the country\u2019s biggest players, producing ten million tons of cement, equating to ten percent of the market share.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A key differentiator for the organization is its progressive attitude and approach to sustainability. \u201cWe embraced our sustainability effort many years ago. In fact, we were the first cement producer to publish a sustainability report, which was almost 20 years ago now. Since then, we\u2019ve been leading the field in our efforts, investing in those areas that can help us to reduce emissions and reach our overarching goal of becoming carbon neutral,\u201d Massimo explains.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe have established a roadmap that demonstrates our commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. It\u2019s a huge effort for us. In the US alone, the plan forecasts more than a 300-million-dollar spend\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Scaling-up sustainability<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, efforts to scale up clean power in the cement industry are underway and evidenced by the organization\u2019s new solar power system in San Antonio, Texas. The Alamo Cement Company is wholly controlled by Buzzi and is advancing the company\u2019s commitment to reduce carbon emissions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe 45-acre solar panel field, which is the equivalent of 35 football fields, is estimated to generate up to 15 percent of the plant\u2019s yearly energy consumption while reducing emissions and electricity costs,\u201d he enthuses.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Buzzi is committed to furthering the cement industry\u2019s goal of decarbonizing. While this project was a major step in the right direction, the business continues to look for more opportunities to enhance sustainability in its operations, which is apparent in its efforts to produce low carbon cement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUS cement production is undergoing a transition and we started to make a low carbon variety called Portland-limestone cement (PLC) Type IL. This is formulated with a higher limestone content and manufactured with less embodied energy than ordinary Portland cement, which constitutes a 15 percent decrease when compared to traditional cement production. I\u2019m very happy and proud to say that we now produce, 100 percent, IL low carbon cement.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Alamo plant has been part of the Texan landscape for decades,\u201d continues Kirk Taylor, who has been with the group since 2004 and is responsible for cement sales. \u201cOur industry is known for being heavily industrial. So, both clients and employees are welcoming the renewable power systems that the Buzzi family is always pushing to enhance sustainability in our operations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ahead of the curve<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen I started in the industry, sustainability wasn\u2019t even a topic. Now, it\u2019s of prime importance and is discussed at every meeting. The landscape is changing and we\u2019re changing with it. We\u2019re not a laggard, in most cases, we\u2019re on the leading edge. While there is a learning curve for everyone involved, this is positive progress and we\u2019re trying very hard to move forward at pace,\u201d Kirk explains.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur industry consumes a considerable amount of energy, both in terms of electricity and fuel,\u201d continues Massimo. \u201cAs such, we have been trying to reduce our fossil fuel consumption. We\u2019re currently able to repurpose waste that would have been destined for landfill into fuel. We\u2019re also trying to increase our natural gas usage which boasts a lower carbon footprint. These are the two main areas in which we\u2019re making great strides, and indeed, we are leading in the US, in percentage terms, for fuel substitution. The US industry average is below 15 percent, and we are by far above 20.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kirk continues: \u201cWater in the State of Texas is very inexpensive, and usage was not something that anyone would have cared about 20 years ago, not in any meaningful way, anyway. However, we track our usage and report on it on a monthly basis. In so doing, we are striving to minimize our overall consumption while maximizing what we do use.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLikewise, when we consider transport purchases, such as trucks, the energy efficiency of those trucks is important. We\u2019re willing to pay more for energy efficiency, and not primarily because of the pay back. The motivation is not financially driven, it\u2019s much more about environmental and social responsibility.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Stakeholder commitment<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This collective desire to embrace new ways of working is testament to Buzzi\u2019s corporate culture. \u201cWhen you are scattered in different parts of the world,\u201d continues Massimo, \u201cyou need to allow for differences in cultural histories and habits. That said, we do have common policies, for example, for safety, sustainability, and code of conduct. Our managers have these three common pillars to bolster the organization\u2019s progression and ensure we are moving in the same direction. At Buzzi, we are committed to promoting sustainability in all the countries in which we operate, which is a commonality that we are very proud to share.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Alamo plant has been part of the Buzzi family since the 80s,\u201d elaborates Kirk. \u201cThe family spent a substantial amount of time here for Indeed, Jen Morgan, Training Development and Communications Coordinator has been brought into the organization to further support the Buzzi culture. \u201cI\u2019ve been in the role for almost a year,\u201d she shares, \u201cbut it\u2019s a brand-new role for the company. It has never had a dedicated training development person. So, I\u2019m overseeing that aspect of the business. I\u2019m also proud to be doing work on internal and external communication.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Carbon reduction<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Looking to the future, the business intends to roll out several more projects designed to further its sustainability strategy. Massimo explains: \u201cWe\u2019re working on a few important projects that will be deployed in the coming years. We want to double our solar panel project in Texas and introduce wind turbines and renewable and green energy to one of our plants. We already broke ground on three other plants with the aim to start using alternative fuels. As you can imagine, it takes time to obtain the necessary permits and complete construction, but we are working towards a first milestone in 2030, followed by a second in 2050. So far, we are ahead of the plan. We always try to lead the pack in terms of innovation.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, Buzzi partnered on a project called CLEANKER, which was funded by Horizon2020 and mobilized to address CO<\/span>2<\/span> capture from cement production. The cement industry is a key-sector for the reduction of CO<\/span>2<\/span> emissions. Given that calcium looping (CaL) is one of the most promising technologies for CO<\/span>2<\/span> capture in cement plants, the core activity of the project was the design, construction and operation of a CaL demonstration system in the plant operated by Buzzi, sited in Vernasca, Italy. The project\u2019s objective was to set the basis for the industrial exploitation of the technology by EU companies in Europe and abroad, while guaranteeing that the clinker quality is not affected by the process.\u201cThe project took two years and had a highly successful outcome; in that we now have another tool to capture CO<\/span>2<\/span>. It\u2019s no secret that cement plants produce CO<\/span>2<\/span>. To melt limestone, we need a lot of energy. While we cannot avoid producing CO<\/span>2<\/span>, this type of technology can capture and sequester it. There\u2019s evidently considerable investment required but it\u2019s no longer a pipedream.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Progressive plans<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m an engineer, and a very practical guy. We have a plan, and a roadmap, and we have already defined all the steps for the next five years. We are always prudent and typically strive to under promise but overachieve. We disclose our results every year, and thus far, our carbon reduction is clear to see, and operations are proceeding according to plan.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn recent years,\u201d asserts Kirk, \u201cfrom the onslaught of the pandemic to the uncertainty of recession, our management has always stepped up. While I don\u2019t know what\u2019s ahead, we will adapt and overcome it. We don\u2019t make excuses; our board does not allow excuses, neither do our management nor customers. Our customers want a premium product, and we deliver it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen it comes to these monumental efforts to reduce our emissions,\u201d concludes Kirk, \u201cwe\u2019ll ensure the job gets done. In another five years, we\u2019ll be talking about how we\u2019ve overcome other difficulties, I\u2019m sure, and be able to divulge a few of the other projects we\u2019re scheduling that we can\u2019t necessarily discuss just yet.\u201d Watch this space.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n www.buzziunicemusa.com<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/08\/Buzz-2.jpg\")
both education and work purposes. In fact, the Italian culture marries well with that of South Texas, and while we are a multinational, public company, we do feel like we work for that family. The business is not simply focused on its shareholders, it considers all stakeholders. The unemployment level in Texas is low, so, people have choices. Our positive company culture is reflected by the number of people who have dedicated their entire lives to working for the Buzzi family.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n