Dragon Receives Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Recent $50 million modernization of Thomaston cement plant key to reducing emissions and fuel use, and other environmental benefits

Dragon Cement and Concrete has received a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gases throughout its cement and concrete operations. Dragon’s $50 million modernization is a key element of its plan to reduce emissions.

Gov. John Baldacci and DEP Commissioner Dawn Gallagher, who presented the award in a ceremony in Hallowell on Friday (Nov. 5), applauded Dragon’s efforts to protect the environment, citing the company’s decision to change to a more efficient cement manufacturing process that increases production while lowering emissions.

"We certainly appreciate this recognition by the governor and Maine’s environmental leaders,” said Joseph M. Koch, III, president of Dragon. “Environmental issues were paramount in our decision to invest in a plant modernization that truly has become a win-win for all involved. We’ve increased cement production, cut emissions to protect the environment, and also will be able to maintain employment levels at the plant now and well into the future.”

Portland-based Dragon is New England's only cement manufacturing company and also the state’s largest supplier of ready-mixed concrete. The governor’s recognition marks the second statewide award Dragon has received in recent weeks. In October, Dragon received a “Maine Investor” Award from the Maine State Chamber, which commended the company’s plant modernization.

Dragon lowered its greenhouse gases for each ton of cement produced by developing a three-part strategy involving its manufacturing process, raw material inputs and product promotion, according to Ann W. Thayer, Dragon’s environmental manager.

“Dragon’s environmental record is a testament to the hard work of our employees and the commitment of the organization,” said Thayer, adding that Dragon also received Governor’s Awards for waste recycling in 2002 and waste reduction in 1998.

The conversion of Dragon’s cement manufacturing process from a wet to dry process is at the heart of the environmental enhancement, she said. Grinding and blending the materials (principally calcium, silica, iron and aluminum) in the dry process results in substantial fuel savings since fuel is not used to drive off the water added to the raw feed in a wet process. Lower fuel usage means lower greenhouse gas emissions, Thayer said.

A major upgrade in the plant air systems, recycling of waste materials as raw ingredients, and promotion of slag in concrete has further reduced greenhouse gas emissions, she said.

Part of the cement manufacturing process requires the calcinations of limestone. Carbon dioxide is released during this process. To cut down on process-related carbon dioxide, Dragon has incorporated material into its raw material stream that is already calcined. Since this calcined material comes from reclaimed waste products, Dragon not only is lowering its greenhouse gas emissions but also is recycling waste products.

Dragon also is promoting the use of slag in concrete mixtures by using it at its own concrete plants and distributing it to other concrete manufacturers. By supplementing the cement with slag, which comes from a steel manufacturing by-product with cement-like properties, the overall carbon intensity in concrete is lowered.

The Thomaston modernization, which involved a major overhaul and rebuilding of the plant, began in the spring of 2003. The effort will enhance Dragon’s competitive position in New England while allowing the company to compete in a global marketplace. The company was incorporated under its present ownership in 1988 as a wholly owned subsidiary of CDN-USA, which is owned by Cementos Portland and Cementos Lemona of Spain.

The modernization included a $10 million dollar upgrade of Dragon’s distribution system including the acquisition of new railcars, a new barge and unloading equipment at its Boston terminal.

Headquartered in Portland, Dragon supplies cement and ready-mix concrete to customers throughout Maine and also to other parts of New England by barge through Coastal Cement terminals in Newington, N.H. and Boston. In addition to being the region’s only cement manufacturer, Dragon is also is Maine's largest ready-mix concrete supplier with operating concrete plants in Biddeford, Westbrook, Portland, Lewiston, Brunswick, Augusta, Canton, Fairfield, Madawaska and Presque Isle.

Dragon is known for supplying cement and concrete to a number of major building projects in the region, including the Casco Bay Bridge, the Maine Turnpike expansion and the Portland Jetport expansions and new garage. Dragon also supplies cement or concrete to paper mills, dams, homes, schools and commercial developments statewide.

The company is headquartered at 38 Preble St. in Portland. For additional information, log on to the company's web site at www.dragonproducts.com.
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