Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.
Issue link: http://concrete.epubxp.com/i/75186
NEWS SCOPE PRODUCERS Lafarge targets 20 percent recycled content in mix designs Paris-based Lafarge Group has entered a new phase in its sustainability commitment with the recent launch of Sustainability Ambi- tions 2020. The 34 new sustainability ambi- tions are organized around the three main pillars of sustainable development—social, economic and environmental—and are cou- pled with demanding quantitative targets. "Sustainability Ambitions 2020 is the con- tinuation of our 2007-12 program, at the end of which we had achieved our key commit- ment of reducing net CO2 emissions per ton of cement produced by 20 percent," ex- plained Lafarge Chairman and CEO Bruno La- font. "I firmly believe that a green economy cannot happen without a green industry, and there is no sustainability without a responsi- ble industry, aware of its social contribution and steering its own change. With this pro- gram…we are looking to create value for all of our stakeholders—shareholders, cus- tomers, employees and local communities in the vicinity of our production plants." Among ambitions to be achieved by 2020: • Use 50 percent of non-fossil fuels in ce- ment plants by 2020 (including 30 per- cent biomass); • Have 20 percent of concrete containing reused and recycled materials; • Generate sales of €3 billion/year (US $3.8 billion) in new sustainable solu- tions, products and services; • Reduce by 33 percent CO2 emissions/ton of cement compared to 1990 levels; • Reach zero fatalities and virtually elim- inate lost-time incidents for employees and contractors; • Having 35 percent of senior management positions held by women; • Contribute 1 million volunteer hours/ year to locally selected projects; • Enable access to affordable and sustain- able housing for 2 million people. Over 18 months, Lafarge has involved em- ployees and managers of operating units, the panel of stakeholders, major partners such as World Wildlife Fund and humanitarian organ- ization CARE, and the company's Interna- tional Advisory Board, in determining what they expect of their company. The Lafarge Canada Vancouver plant and sister operations across the world will closely track en- vironmental management measures, including storm and process water recycling. 16 | JULY 2012 WWW.CONCRETEPRODUCTS.COM