Cement makers generate ind’l water savings

MANILA, Philippines - Local cement firms have adopted waste recycling systems designed, among others, to reduce their use of water.

Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) member-companies implemented policies and invested in new technologies to minimize their use of fresh water in their plants.

CeMAP is composed of seven of the leading cement makers in the country: CEMEX Group of Companies Philippines, Holcim Philippines, Lafarge Philippines, Northern Cement Corp., Pacific Cement Corp. and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc.

CEMEX’s Solid Cement Plant in Antipolo, Rizal, has constructed a water-recycling system that deliver recycled industrial water from the recovery pond back to the industrial water tank. These mitigate dust emission, conserve water and eliminate wastewater discharges. With this design, CEMEX has successfully recovered an estimated 60 percent of water from various industrial areas in the plant.

On the other hand, Holcim has successfully reduced water consumption by 81 percent in its Bulacan plant,  seven percent in Davao, 30 percent in La Union, and 56 percent in Lugait. With its water optimization project, Holcim achieved 25-percent reduction in water usage and 15 percent from prevented water outflow, saving a total of 1.1 million cubic meters of water in 2012.

Aside from existing water conservation and optimization initiatives,, Lafarge is working with top environmental solutions-provider WWF-Philippines to develop a sustainability plan for the Morong Watershed in Rizal province. The project aims to enhance local water management by conducting water risk assessments and resource planning to ensure water sustainability for Lafarge’s host and neighbouring communities.

In Pangasinan, Northern recycles 100 percent of the water used in its plant.

In Surigao, Pacific Cement invested in a centralized water recovery system and a continuous water cooling system. In Cebu, Taiheiyo shifted from water cooled to air cooled compressors in order to lessen water consumption in its plant. 

“Our members make sure that even the most basic resources like water are optimized. They have integrated simple measures in their company operations and invested in devices and systems that will make sure every drop is reused and well used,” CeMAP president Ernesto Ordoñez said.

Ordoñez added that CeMAP members’ commitment to practice sustainable development practices that optimize water is in response to the challenge of managing scarce freshwater available for human use.

According to the United Nations, 22 percent of the world’s fresh water resource is used by industries. The demand for water is expected to double every 20 years. By 2025, 18,000 million people are projected to live with absolute water scarcity.