Cementos Pacasmayo advances in sustainability and carbon footprint reduction.

Cementos Pacasmayo has taken a significant step in its commitment to sustainability, focusing on reducing its carbon footprint through eco-friendly solutions. This effort is part of its EcoEfficient portfolio, which has been in development for 26 years. The company has recognized that clinker, the main component of cement, is responsible for the emission of large amounts of CO2. To mitigate this impact, they are implementing products that substitute clinker with other materials that generate less pollution, such as pozzolans, slags, and limestones. Claudia Bustamante, the Sustainability Manager at Cementos Pacasmayo, emphasizes the importance of sustainability in all aspects of the business. "We view sustainability as a cross-cutting issue across the business. It is important that the actions we take are linked to the company's strategy," she states. This integration of sustainable practices into their business model not only has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint but also promotes a responsible and environmentally conscious corporate image. An important milestone in this transition towards more sustainable practices is the launch of EcoSaco in 2022. This cement bag, which fully integrates into the mix and leaves no waste, has allowed approximately 70% of the materials used on a construction site to be more environmentally friendly. Since its introduction to the market, it is estimated that around 4.5 million cement bags have been saved each year, which equates to 572 tons of waste that would have normally ended up in landfills. Even more significant is Cementos Pacasmayo's commitment to the Cement Roadmap of Peru, a plan designed to reduce the carbon footprint in the country's cement industry. The company has set a goal to improve its clinker/cement ratio, aiming to reach 67%. Its Extraforte and Fortimax products have already achieved a value of approximately 68%, meaning they are just one step away from meeting this ambitious goal. In parallel to its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Cementos Pacasmayo has launched the "Concrete Dream" program. This project aims to improve infrastructure conditions in vulnerable areas by installing concrete floors in homes that previously had dirt floors. Such interventions not only provide immediate benefits in terms of quality of life but also contribute to environmental sustainability. For the current year, the company has projected that more than 1,200 families will benefit from this program, reaching approximately 5,000 people in total. Additionally, it is estimated that 24,000 bags of cement will be delivered to facilitate the transformation of over 39,000 square meters of dirt floors to concrete floors, tangibly improving the quality of life in its areas of influence. However, the economic outlook is not entirely positive. According to recent reports, the country's economy grew in June, but this increase is the lowest of the year. This raises questions about how sustainable efforts by companies like Cementos Pacasmayo will be affected in an economic environment facing significant challenges. Economic uncertainty often impacts investment in sustainability, which could jeopardize the progress achieved. The intersection between economic growth and sustainability becomes crucial in this context. Cementos Pacasmayo's innovation in eco-friendly products not only reflects a global trend towards more responsible practices but also sets a standard in the construction industry in Peru. The importance of this approach lies in its potential to be replicated by other companies in the sector, generating a positive environmental impact on a large scale. In conclusion, Cementos Pacasmayo is leading the way towards a more sustainable business model through innovations such as the use of blended cements and the EcoSaco. Despite economic challenges, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to positively contribute to the environment and society, demonstrating that sustainability can go hand in hand with business success. This proactive approach is not only necessary but also serves as a model to follow in the fight against climate change.