The Times 100 Business Case StudiesEdition 15
Sustainable performance in the construction industry
CEMEX
Introduction to CEMEX
One of the world’s largest building materials companies
Operates in the extractive industry Active in more than 50 countries; Employs over 60,000 people
CEMEX UK produces cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates - generates over £1 billion sales per year
Its products are essential for the UK economy Needs to balance need for minerals against the
effects of extraction on people and environment
Sectors of industry
Three sectors of industry CEMEX is active in all three sectors
Primary – extraction/quarrying of raw materials from sea or land
Secondary – manufacturing/production of ready mix concrete, cement and asphalt
Tertiary – distributing products to business and consumer outlets by road, rail
and water
Location of industry
Close to markets or close to raw materials Reach customers easily Save transport costs
Sustainable location Minimise effects on the environment e.g. least
waste, fewer journeys Primary activity located where the raw
materials occur
Sustainable location
CEMEX locates manufacturing processes to meet market needs As near to quarries as
practical Big projects may have on-
site concrete plant, e.g. the new Wembley stadium
Has adopted sustainable practices National supply network of
500 locations - materials available locally
Using by-products from other industries
Use of water transport wherever possible – sea, rivers, underground pipelines to save road miles
Over 10% of materials moved by rail
Benefits and impacts
Sustainable practices support business performance
Over £30 million per year investment
Operations - new products/services, improving efficiency, reducing emissions and use of energy E.g. Use of household
waste as alternative fuel People -engaging
employees, contributing to the community, communicating with stakeholders E.g. Restoration of quarries
for leisure purposes
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