Calucem’s CEO, Yuri Bouwhuis, is leading the change in the company’s mission to make a positive impact on the environment and the community through innovative investments. One such investment is the upgraded Pula facility, which features a state-of-the-art briquetting plant that reduces CO2 emissions and promotes circular economy.
Q: Thank you for joining us today, Yuri. Can you tell us more about the recent investment in Calucem’s Pula facility?
Yuri Bouwhuis: Certainly. Calucem invested around 3 million euros, to upgrade our Pula facility. This is the largest industrial investment in the area in recent years. Our main objective was to address the noise and dust problem not just in Pula but also in the broader Istrian peninsula.
Q: That’s impressive. How does this investment support eco-friendliness?
Yuri Bouwhuis: The briquetting plant is the main feature of the upgrade. It allows us to recycle waste material by turning it into raw material, promoting a circular economy and more sustainable production. We no longer have to outsource the briquetting process as we have the technology here on-site.
Q: That’s a significant achievement. Can you explain how the briquetting process works?
Yuri Bouwhuis: The process enables us to repurpose finely ground milling product as a raw material, which was previously unusable waste. This material is now reused in production, providing greater flexibility in the use of raw materials.
Q: It’s clear that this investment has a positive impact on sustainability. Can you tell us more about the briquetting system?
Yuri Bouwhuis: Our highly trained staff manages the system, which is supported by the latest technology from the manufacturer. Remote assistance is also available. This investment has created five new jobs at the facility.
Q: That’s fantastic news. How does this investment align with Calucem’s overall strategy?
Yuri Bouwhuis: This investment is part of our strategy to expand the company and increase flexibility in the production of our specialized product, CAC calcium aluminate cement. It’s just the first step in our sustainability journey, but we’re committed to making progress.
Q: It’s inspiring to see such a proactive approach to sustainability. How does this investment benefit Calucem’s customers?
Yuri Bouwhuis: Our commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing has a positive impact on the market, including our key customers worldwide. We export to over 60 countries, making Calucem the second-largest producer and supplier of calcium aluminate cement globally.
Thank you for your time today, Yuri. Calucem’s investment in sustainability is a significant step forward in the cement industry.