Kinnegad company Lagan Cement's commitment to the environment was recognised recently when it won an award at Chambers Ireland's President's Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Lagan's Sustainability Manager David Tobin explains more. Lagan Cement's facility in Killaskillen near Kinnegad achieved major recognition when it won the Environment SME award at Chambers Ireland's President's Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility at a ceremony in Dublin's Burlington Hotel on September 26 last. Lagan Cement was presented with the 'Eco-Business Award' for "minimising the environmental footprint of its business activities and for the effective implementation of best practice in Environment CSR". Lagan's Sustainability Manager David Tobin, who received the award, says the company is thrilled to be recognised for the environmental work which it has undertaken. "Our environmental team have been working to ensure that the company maintains a close focus on its commitment to best environmental practice and sustainable development and this award reflects a concerted effort by all at Lagan Cement over recent years in this respect," he comments. "We produced a CSR report as part of our overall environmental management programme to check our performance against our environmental and community goals. A big part of our environmental programme is to reduce our CO2 emissions, and the introduction of alternative fuels such as Meat and Bone Meal in place of fossil fuels has played a big part in achieving this. It is enormously gratifying to have our initiatives recognised by an independent body such as Chambers Ireland." In the first year of using Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) as an alternative fuel source in the production of cement, Lagan's CO2 emissions and carbon footprint have been reduced by 4 per cent per tonne of clinker produced. MBM is a natural waste material and its combustion assists in the reduction of 'Greenhouse gases'. For many years, this material, which is more sustainable than either coal or oil, has been used safely and extensively as a high-performance fuel in dozens of cement factories across Europe. MBM is a by-product of the farming industry and is produced in large amounts in Ireland. David explains that one of his specific responsibilities is to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions at the plant. "Lagan Cement is the most efficient and modern plant of its type in the country. We utilise best available technology and comply with the most recent EU legislation. To reduce our carbon dioxide footprint further, we also have taken measures to reduce our electricity consumption. "Furthermore, we have already applied for and been granted permission to use a range of alternative fuels at the plant. The plant is awaiting a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency to begin using wood fuel. This is an environmentally friendly fuel, as the carbon dioxide released has been absorbed from the atmosphere by the tree and when the tree is replanted, the carbon dioxide will be absorbed again. I believe the plant will be using wood as a fuel in the near future." He continues: "We have also applied and been granted planning permission for the use of bio fuels, a market that is not yet fully developed. This is future thinking for the plant, so that we will be able to use these sustainable fuels as soon as they become available." The Chambers Ireland President's Awards were co-partnered with Business in the Community Ireland and run in association with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Each winner received a specially commissioned trophy designed by Waterford Crystal. Other winners included Dublin Port Company, RTE, Microsoft, O2, AIB, Diageo, Ulster Bank and DELL. Lagan Cement Ltd has operated its cement manufacturing plant at Killaskillen since August 2002. The plant, which operates its own limestone and shale quarries alongside, currently produces 700,000 tonnes of high-grade cement annually for the Irish cement market. The company engages in local community-based projects and is also the proud sponsor of the Westmeath senior football championship. It recently awarded Tyrrellspass' young goalkeeper Darren Quinn with a scholarship for his college studies in Environmental Science and Technology at Sligo IT. Darren, who is a past-pupil of St. Joseph's, Rochfortbridge and was a member of the Tyrrellspass team that reached the Leinster club football final at the end of last year, was selected from a list of candidates in recognition of his academic and personal achievements. He will continue to receive significant sponsorship each year from Lagan Cement for the duration of his third-level education. The environmental scholarship was initiated to assist a local student in his/her pursuit of a third level qualification within the environmental field and to recognise the important role of environmental management within industries such as Lagan Cement. "I was absolutely delighted to be chosen for this generous award from Lagan Cement. I have a huge interest in the environment and I think it's great that Lagan have chosen this area to support," said Darren, who also kept goal for the Westmeath minors last year. Presenting the award to Darren, Lagan's Technical and Environmental Manager Tom McManus said: "The process of continuous environmental improvement is a driven philosophy in our business. Lagan takes its environmental duty of care very seriously, and we have implemented a number of initiatives in this regard, particularly in respect of reducing our CO2 emissions." He added: "The environment and environmental science are topics today that are of great interest to all, both in our short and long-term outlooks. We have been closely involved with the local education system, since we began operations in 2002, by facilitating plant visits and presentations for primary and secondary level students of local schools and colleges. "We were delighted to award the scholarship to Darren. We believed the scholarship to be an excellent way to acknowledge the fundamental importance of the role environmental sciences play in a business such as ours, while offering welcome assistance to Darren in his studies." Lagan Cement is sensitive to the views and opinions of the local community, and seeks to maintain positive and open relations with its neighbours. This is further enhanced by the organising of open day events and educational site tours for local schools and other parties such as associations and interest groups. The company also publishes a quarterly newsletter to keep the public up-to-date on community issues, planning applications etc. Lagan Cement is committed to making sure the community around its Kinnegad plant is afforded easy access to information and addressing concerns which may arise. Tweet

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