CEMEX sees bright prospects following Green Choice award

After having been awarded with the prestigious ‘green choice seal”, an environmental recognition for products and services, Apo Cement Corporation, a member of the CEMEX Philippines Group of Companies is looking for brighter prospects ahead for environmental preservation.

“The Green Choice Seal is a market driven mechanism that allows consumers to identify products that are manufactured in an environmentally responsible way. Receiving the seal is truly a proud accomplishment for us in the company,” said Sergio Menendez, president of CEMEX Philippines.

The Green Choice Seal eco-label is awarded by the National Eco-labeling Board of the Philippines to companies which have adopted processes and supply products that have less adverse environmental impact.  It is a voluntary initiative sponsored by the government based on ISO 14024- Type 1 Environmental Labeling.  

At the moment, there are already seven products who have been awarded with the Green Choice Seal, one of which is a detergent.

Menendez said that under the Green Choice guidelines for cement, an applicant is required to demonstrate three things in order to be given the seal. These are the compliance with applicable Philippine national standards, compliance with the applicable environmental laws and regulations and a reduction in green house gas emissions by 10 percent per unit output.

“The requirements may sound simple but are actually quite challenging when hundreds of people and thousands of equipments are involved. But our commitment to environmental responsibility goes beyond our corporate communications activities and extends and pervades many areas of our operations,” he added.

Now that they have passed the necessary requirements, Apo Cement Corporation which is based in Naga City here in Cebu will now be carrying the Green Choice seal for its products APO Premium and APO Pozzolan.

Environmental conservation has become the core philosophy of CEMEX, the reason why they participated with the Green Choice Philippines eco-labeling program, said CEMEX Philippines Public Affairs Director    Darwin Mariano.

 Also late last year, their Solid Cement factory in Antipolo, Rizal has also bagged the distinctive seal and right now it is already showing 25 percent reduction in carbon emissions after following an alternative fuels program using rice husks. As for APO, they are reducing emissions through reducing their clinker content and energy use, he added.

Mariano also said that soon this year they will be launching their clinker loading project in their plant in Naga, which he said will be another alternative way to decrease their carbon emission that in turn would also enhance their energy efficiency.

In terms of sales generation, CEMEX is hoping that the Green Choice Seal will be able to bolster their revenues especially with the increasing eco-consumerism in the global market.

“The label is used to empower consumers and complement the government’s environmental policy. In the end, the Green Choice seal is all about making the right choices. It means buying more environmentally-friendly products from more environmentally responsible companies,” stressed Menendez. — Rhia de Pablo