Page 44 - 2020 Sustainability Report

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Our Roadmap

Our roadmap to achieving these reduction targets includes numerous actions we have committed to, through current or
recent investments and operational improvements, as well as future steps we are evaluating, including:

Coal replacement and tire derived fuel (TDF) investments Operational improvements
• In 2019, we invested in an improved handling system at • Adding slag to our process, using our CemStar patented
the Hunter Cement plant allowing the plant to utilize a technology. In 2020, the slag addition represented
substantial amount of tire-derived fuel. We are currently almost 4 percent of our clinker production.
considering additional upgrades at this facility.
• We are conducting pilot studies of the CarbonCure
• We are in the process of permitting and installing a system in our ready mix business. This system injects
larger natural gas line to the Hunter Cement Plant which into the concrete mix to reduce its carbon
recycled CO 2
is expected to be completed in 2021 and will further footprint without impacting its performance.
reduce our coal usage.
• We have reduced coal in the fuel mix at our cement Investments in our business to develop and market
plants by an additional 10% in 2020 from 2019. products that deliver meaningful environmental
benefits, including reducing emissions and chemical use
Use of additional alternative fuels, including the
purchase of wind energy and other renewables • Scrubber stone produced by our limestone operations
• In 2020 we used 806,254 gallons of B99 Biodiesel, is used by power producers in controlling sulfur
than ordinary diesel. dioxide emissions.
which emits 21% less C0 2
• We are currently evaluating both wind and solar power • Products manufactured by our magnesia specialties
projects in both our cement and magnesia businesses. business assist in purifying industrial and municipal
wastewater, neutralizing nuclear waste and reducing
Continued use of synthetic gypsum as a substitute
chemical usage and wood demand in paper production.
for natural gypsum
• Synthetic gypsum is a byproduct of flue gas Leadership positions in industry and advocacy
desulfurization (FGD) — a scrubbing technology utilized associations that support actions to control
by many coal-fired power plants to reduce SO . climate change
2
• In 2020 we reduced our need for mined gypsum by 46% • Participating in working groups at both the PCA and
over 2017. NRMCA to evaluate the feasibility and/or opportunity
• Using recaptured gypsum helps to divert 51,000 tons associated with PCA’s 2050 working “roadmap”, along
from overburdened landfills. with other developments relevant to commercial-scale

Capital investments in more efficient, lower CCS technologies that we anticipate being considered by
emission transportation systems and emissions the industry in the coming years.
reduction equipment • Support for the MIT Sustainability Hub, which conducts
• Reduced fuel use in our aggregates business by converting research supporting the beneficial use of low-carbon
from quarry trucks to conveyor belt systems, right-sizing footprint concrete and brings together leaders from
trucks and installing fleet management software. academia, industry and government to develop a holistic
• Replacing older rail cars with more efficient, high- approach that will achieve durable and sustainable
capacity models homes, buildings and infrastructure in ever more
demanding environments.
• Continued upgrading our mobile equipment fleets to
newer, cleaner burning equipment

We also recognize the importance of continuing to set goals for sustainability and to increase transparency around GHG
emissions reporting, and thus, we expect to make additional reports and commitments for our businesses in the years to
come. For example, we anticipate the next iteration of our Sustainability Report will include, for the first time, Scope 2
emissions reductions targets.

42 2020 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT