As a leading cement manufacturer, HR Cement is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainability in everything we do. That’s why when we decided to build our second production line, we knew we wanted to do it in a way that would minimize our environmental impact.

The most interesting aspect of the procurement for the new plant was seeing what was already available here in New Zealand.  Our construction team kept a watchful eye on the marketplace to identify suitable industrial equipment if it became available.

A cement mill that had been sitting idle in the King Country for over a decade was identified and a deal done.  The mill is a critical component in the production process as it grinds the raw material into a fine powder to create the final product.  Weighing over 120tonnes, it was a significant undertaking to transport to our site in Mt Maunganui, but completed without drama in 2019.

Also we were able to find a dryer that was lying unused on the West Coast of the South Island.  With some innovative engineering it was able to be converted to be suitable for drying the BFS prior to milling.

We saw an opportunity to give both these items a new life while also reducing our environmental impact, diverting them from the scrap heap and prevent them from contributing to the waste stream.

At HR Cement, we believe that sustainable practices are not only good for the environment, but they are also good for business. By reducing our carbon footprint, we are able to appeal to customers who are increasingly interested in buying products that are made in an environmentally responsible way. And by promoting sustainability, we are also ensuring that we have a viable business model for years to come, and are proud of the steps we have taken to build our new plant from repurposed equipment.