![\"CEMEX](\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/2016-11-04-01_26_55-.png\")
<\/a>CEMEX has acted along three dimensions: achievement of non-compulsory certifications, expansion of sustainable product portfolio and intensification of public communication on related topics.<\/p>\n
The company has earned vast third-party recognition for its superior commitment to sustainability. Instances of such recognition include:<\/p>\n
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- First construction materials company to meet ISO 50001 (Energy Management System) certification requirements in the Philippines. [5]<\/li>\n
- First company in the building materials industry to provide its customers with a carbon footprint tool for its key products. DNV, a leading environmental certification organization verified and endorsed the tool. [6]<\/li>\n
- 18 conservations programs (15 in the US, 3 in Mexico) earned the Conservation Certification granted by the Wildlife Habitat Council for their efforts on habitat restoration and related educational visits. [7]<\/li>\n
- 6 cement plants earned the US EPA Energy Star certification; One of them has earned this certification for 8 consecutive years, an achievement attained by only one other plant in the United States. [8]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Furthermore, CEMEX is actively orienting its product development towards more environment friendly products, anticipating trends in market and regulatory needs. Some recently developed products are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Aquacrete, a permeable yet structurally strong concrete ideal for road infrastructure. It allows water to flow better to canals and into storm drains, minimizing flood risks. [5]<\/li>\n
- Promptis, an ultra-fast setting concrete used to pave roads, which can now be accessed after 24 hours, a markedly short lead time, thus reducing increased car pollution resulting from traffic alterations. [5]<\/li>\n
- Hidratium, a concrete with self-curing properties that reduce the amount of water consumed in the setting process by approximately 80%. [9]<\/li>\n
- Insularis, a portfolio of concretes with enhanced thermal insulation, which results in improved energy efficiency of buildings. [10]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Winner](\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/2016-11-04-01_19_11-Ganadores-M\u00e9xico-Edici\u00f3n-XXIV-_-Premio-Obras-CEMEX-300x199.jpg\")
<\/a>Winner of Premio Obras 2015, Sustainable Construction Category. A 260 sq. meter residential project located in the northern state of Coahuila, Mexico. Source: CEMEX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/em>Finally, CEMEX directs significant resources to increase the public awareness on the issue and recognize suppliers, customers and other third parties that actively try to address it. Three examples of this effort are:<\/p>\n
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- The Nature Series, which leverages great photography and narrative to warn people about the urgent need to preserve natural resources<\/em>. For its latest release, CEMEX collaborated with partners that promised maximize the exposure of the publication (such as Conservation International, Earth in Focus, and The Wild Foundation). [11]<\/li>\n
- Premio Obras (Site Award), a 25-year-old award to the best of construction in Mexico; one of the nine categories, Sustainable Construction, bases 50% of the evaluating criteria on the efficient use of resources. [12]<\/li>\n
- Premio Int\u00e9grate (Integrate Award), a program to recognize suppliers for \u201ctheir innovation and their contribution to the company and the environment.\u201d In the 2016 edition, the first place was awarded to Grupo Kopar for improvements in dust collectors\u2019 efficiency. [13]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
CEMEX describes itself as company committed to sustainable economic growth, and it is effectively stepping beyond the mere compliance of regulatory measures. The company is strengthening its stance on sustainability issues by executing highly visible actions directed at most of its stakeholders (more environmental friendly products for its customers, widely publicized recognition for the environment-caring members of the construction industry, and world-class bibliographic productions for the general public). Juggling these initiatives implies a considerable expense and effort. Will CEMEX\u2019s shareholders be ultimately pleased by such investments? [14] (659 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
1<\/sup> Sun, H., Jain, R., Nguyen, K. & Zuckerman, J. 2010, “Sialite technology–sustainable alternative to portland cement”, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 503-516.<\/p>\n
2<\/sup> \u201cMexican cement producer Cemex 3rd-qtr profit beats expectations,\u201d Reuters News, October 27, 2016, via Factiva, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n
3<\/sup> CEMEX, \u201cReportes Relacoinados con Sustentabilidad,\u201d http:\/\/www.cemex.com\/ES\/DesarrolloSustentable\/InformesGlobales.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n
4<\/sup> United Nations Global Compact, \u201cDemonstrating the Financial Potential of Sustainability,\u201d https:\/\/www.unglobalcompact.org\/take-action\/action\/global-compact-100<\/a><\/p>\n
5<\/sup> \u201cCEMEX celebrates 110-year milestone of building a better future,\u201d Manila Bulletin, October 30, 2016, via Factiva, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n
6<\/sup> \u201cCEMEX unveils carbon footprint,\u201d Ecology, Environment & Conservation, December 24, 2010, via Factiva, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n
7<\/sup> \u201cCEMEX\u2019s conservation programs certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council,\u201d Dow Jones Institutional News, October 3, 2016, via Factiva, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n
8<\/sup> \u201cSix CEMEX USA cement plants earn EPA\u2019s Energy Star,\u201d Energy Monitor Worldwide, August 14, 2014, via Factiva, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n
9<\/sup> \u201cCEMEX launches its 2nd<\/sup> global ready-mix concrete brand: Hidratium,\u201d Business Wire, January 25, 2012, via Factiva, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n
10<\/sup> \u201cCEMEX\u2019s Insularis concrete at center of new building solution awarded local grand prize for innovation by VINCI in France,\u201d Mena Report, March 29, 2014, via Factiva, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n
11<\/sup> \u201cCEMEX presents \u2018A Geography of Hope: Saving the Last Primary Forests\u2019,\u201d ENP Newswire, October 19, 2016, via Factiva, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n
12<\/sup> CEMEX, \u201cPremio Obras CEMEX,\u201d http:\/\/www.cemexmexico.com\/PremioObra\/CategoriasyPremios.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n
- The Nature Series, which leverages great photography and narrative to warn people about the urgent need to preserve natural resources<\/em>. For its latest release, CEMEX collaborated with partners that promised maximize the exposure of the publication (such as Conservation International, Earth in Focus, and The Wild Foundation). [11]<\/li>\n