Blog Post

World's Largest Cement Plant: world record in Alpena, Michigan

Sep 15, 2022

Alpena, Michigan, United States--The Michigan located Alpena cement plant (aka Lafarge Alpena), owned by the LafargeHolcim US Cement, has an annual production capacity of 2.4 million metric tons, producing low-carbon OneCem® PLC, Type I/II, Type III, Masonry Type N and Type S cements; the plant sets the world record for being the World's Largest Cement Plant, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"In conjunction with the "World's Largest Limestone Quarry" in Rogers City, it produces over 2.4 million metric tons of cement every year," the 99wfmk.com reports.

"It was called "Portland" cement because it has the same color stone found on the Isle of Portland, part of the British Isles. Michigan first produced Portland cement in 1896. Thanks to word-of-mouth about Alpena's huge limestone deposits, the Huron Portland Cement Company made its plant there in 1908. Thanks to the huge deposits, it soon became the world's largest cement plant."

The Michigan located Alpena cement plant began production in 1907. The facility produces cement that serves customers throughout the Midwest and Ontario via the Great Lakes vessels and a series of cement terminals. (holcim.us)

• More than 200 employees
• Annual production capacity of 2.4 million metric tons, producing low-carbon OneCem® PLC, Type I/II, Type III, Masonry Type N and Type S cements
• Safety-first culture, spotlighting the importance of safe behaviors and a safety mindset is constantly emphasized as the highest priority, with the goal of zero harm to people
• Community-focused approach, supporting local organizations and events, such as the United Way of Northeastern Michigan, Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Michigan and the Alpena 4th of July Parade.

"Lafarge Alpena’s local payroll is $20 million annually and the plant pays local taxes equating to $1.2 million annually. Each year, Lafarge Alpena’s local donations total more than $40,000, and its support of local restaurants for plant meals, etc. is about $22,000. Additional economic impact includes another $25 million in annual purchases for products and services from other local and regional companies and contractors."

"In support of worldwide commitments to advance the use of low-carbon building materials, LafargeHolcim in the US has announced that its Ste," says an official press release from LafargeHolcim.

"Genevieve and Alpena cement plants, located in Bloomsdale, Missouri, and Alpena, Michigan, have transitioned to OneCem® Portland limestone cement (PLC) production. The facilities’ transition to OneCem® PLC—a lower CO2-intensive product—follows the successful transition of the company’s cement plant in Midlothian, Texas last year.

"“As demands on the industry to reduce its carbon footprint intensify, we find ourselves with an unparalleled opportunity to build a more sustainable future,” said Patrick Cleary, senior vice president of sales, LafargeHolcim US Cement. “The materials used in building need to have the lowest embodied carbon possible without sacrificing performance—and this is where our low-carbon OneCem can make an immediate impact in helping customers achieve their sustainable construction goals.”

"Lafarge is a French industrial company specialising in three major products: cement, construction aggregates, and concrete. It was founded in 1833 by Joseph-Auguste Pavin de Lafarge and a part of the Holcim Group." (wikipedia)