ENERGY STAR Plant Profile

The CEMEX, Inc. Knoxville Cement Plant is a cement manufacturing facility located in Knoxville, Tenn. on more than 700 acres in East Knox County along the Holston River. The plant has been in operation since 1927, and has undergone various modernizations and computer-automations over the years making it one of the most technically advanced operations in the nation.  The plant produces Portland cement and two masonry cement products.  2008 was the first year CEMEX Knoxville plant has earned the ENERGY STAR.

In 2004 and 2006, the American Portland Cement Alliance, the Portland Cement Association (PCA), and Cement Americas magazine presented the plant with First Place awards for its use of its innovation to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions through both water (2004) and an oily water/waste mixture (2006) injected in the kiln. The plant also received a First Place award by the alliances in 2001 for its community involvement.  In 2007, the plant preserved and dedicated an adjacent 9-acre island as a natural habit for wildlife. The CEMEX Knoxville plant is committed to community involvement and environmental stewardship.

CEMEX has a company-wide Energy Management Program based on the ENERGY STAR guidelines. Under this program, the Knoxville plant has a Site Energy Team which helps the plant progressively apply good energy practices promoted by ENERGY STAR.  

Energy conservation efforts of the plant include:

        Utilization of post-industrial materials that reduce consumption of natural resources and fuels in the kiln for the production of cement

        Energy conserving equipment for pre grinding of clinker before finish grinding

        Utilization of efficient lighting and day light sensors on 80 percent of plant lighting

        Replacement of worn ducts for the dust collection equipment

        Reducing the false air leakage by improving insulation & plugging holes

As a result of the energy conservation measures, the plant has been able to save 24,000 MMBTU of thermal energy and 280,000 kWh of electrical energy consumption in 2008.