2005 Sustainability Report - Lafarge

Protecting the environment
Protecting surroundings
and reducing
local nuisances
At the local level, cement production gives rise to various emissions
such as dust, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2)…
Our emissions are continuously reduced through enhancements
to production processes. Even though these reductions often incur heavy
costs, we systematically take action to control and reduce our emissions.
We conform to the local regulatory requirements in all cases, and attempt
to go even further.
CONTROLLING LOCAL
AIR EMISSIONS
Controlling and monitoring
emissions
Our objective is to cap dust emissions
at a maximum of 50 mg/Nm 3 by 2010.
Installing special equipment and
developing specific techniques enabled
us to achieve this target during 2005
at 66% of our cement plants.
> See indicators on page 41
Specific programs implemented
with WWF
Persistent pollutants (such as dioxins,
furans and heavy metals) may be found
in inputs and emissions in cement
plants. Lafarge has undertaken to
improve its performance and has been
working together with WWF since 2002
on specific programs to reduce these
emissions. In 2005, Lafarge committed
itself to registering priority facilities,
elaborating best management practices,
setting monitoring indicators and
improvement objectives. In 2006,
Lafarge will assess the inputs of the best
PAGE 22 | 2005 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT | LAFARGE
practices and apply them first at priority
facilities and then at all its cement
plants.
More information about the specific program
for mercury emissions is available
on our website.
REDUCING THE VISUAL
IMPACT OF OUR PLANTS
Mindful of the importance of the
visual impact of its sites for the local
communities, the Cement business
worked with an architect in 2005 on the
design of an internal survey. Its goal
is to assess the importance placed on
this issue by plant managers and to
establish a benchmark for improving
the visual integration of facilities. To
date, 70% of plants have carried out
their self-assessment based on the
benchmark. In addition, as planned in
2004, Cement's Advance performance
program now includes a “visual impact”
component. Subsequently, Lafarge will
identify and establish formal best
practices to be implemented for all new
plants.
Restyling project
of Lafarge cement
plant in Fuhais,
in Jordan,
by Bogaert agency.
LAFARGE / WWF PROGRAM
ON PERSISTENT
POLLUTANTS
As part of our work programs with WWF,
we collaborate to find ways to reduce the
emission of persistent pollutants from
our cement factories.
This collaboration led to a common view
that we present here:
“Lafarge is committed to setting an example
concerning management of persistent
pollutants. Lafarge commits itself to
improving its performance and in particular
to reducing its emissions of persistent
pollutants through an efficient management
of the whole production process.”
Many of our stakeholders worldwide
have shown an interest on this topic.
Moreover, this concern is tackled by
the WBCSD CSI.