Cemex honored for conservation efforts in Texas

The fully automated water recycling system at Cemex’s Balcones Quarry uses and recycles about thousands of gallons of water per minute to separate sand fines. Photo: P&Q Staff

A Texas-led conservation non-profit organization recognized Cemex for its work within the Lone Star State.

Cemex was named for the second straight year to the Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20), an initiative honoring the best work in conservation from companies with operations in Texas.

“From actively managing a 27,000-[acre] conservation area in the Big Bend Region to providing educational activities for over 1,500 students, educators and other visitors at their Balcones Dry Comal Creek Wildlife Habitat Center in New Braunfels, Texas, Cemex exemplifies commitment to building a sustainable future,” says Joni Carswell, CEO and president of Texan by Nature. “We are excited to honor Cemex’s leadership for the second year in a row within the Construction & Manufacturing Industry category for the 2020 Texan by Nature 20.”

Texan by Nature was founded in 2011 by former First Lady Laura Bush to bring conservation and business together to positively impact natural resources, economic prosperity and the health of communities across Texas and beyond. Each year, the TxN 20 recognizes companies with operations in Texas that demonstrate a strong dedication to conservation and their integration of innovative, sustainable methods and processes into their businesses.

“Sustainability is embedded into Cemex’s operations, and it is a key part of our operations each and every day,” says Scott Ducoff, Cemex USA regional president of the Texas region. “We are consistently looking for opportunities to deepen our commitment to conservation and sustainability efforts, striving for environmental excellence and seeking solutions to further safeguard natural resources and wildlife.”

Specific projects

As part of Cemex’s dedication to sustainability, the company partnered with landowner Josiah Austin to form the El Carmen Land and Conservation Co. to actively conserve and manage an ecological corridor at the Texas-Mexico border. The partnership aims to restore wildlife and help retain the natural desert landscape between Big Bend National Park and Black Gap Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Brewster County, Texas.

In addition, Cemex operations in New Braunfels are home to the Balcones Dry Comal Creek Wildlife Habitat Center that features more than 10 acres of restored prairie and pollinator gardens, as well as a vegetable garden and educational building for hands-on learning.

Cemex’s Balcones Quarry in New Braunfels also developed and implemented a state-of-the-art water recycling plant for operations that reduces use of local water sources by 90 percent.