Cemex has bolstered its commitment to the circular economy with the investment of innovative new Void packing machinery for its concrete block range at the company’s Dove Holes facility in Derbyshire, England.
To enable the introduction of Voided packs for concrete blocks manufactured at Dove Holes, Cemex has partnered with Gordian Strapping Ltd to install a horizontal strapping machine, along with two vertical machines. Both systems use 100% recycled plastic bands to enable Cemex’s concrete blocks to be packed together securely.
The new Voided packs are designed and packaged with a hollow interior space to enable easy access onto a forklift truck. The new system negates the use of timber pallets to transport Cemex’s concrete blocks. This innovative packaging solution was first introduced at Cemex’s Northfleet Building Products plant, which has seen over 100 tonnes of timber saved since introducing the packing lines.
Sam Culshaw, National Sales Manager, Concrete Products, Cemex, comments: “Cemex is continuously looking to improve and implement more sustainable systems and practices across the business. It’s a great leap forward for Cemex to now offer Void packs for dense and lightweight blocks in the North and the South of England. We initially implemented the new void packing system at our Northfleet operation in Kent a few years ago, and with Dove Holes now on board, we are proud to offer a more sustainable and efficient packing solution that most of our competitors can’t. With rising timber and palletisation costs, reducing the volume of wooden pallets from the supply chain means we can pass on the savings to our customers, whilst contributing to a more sustainable future as part of our net-zero ambitions.”
At the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain, Cemex is pioneering ways to achieve best-in-class operational excellence, alongside sustainable practice and efficiencies. Providing cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates in growing markets around the world, Cemex is powered by a multinational workforce which is focused on delivering a superior customer experience, enabled by digital technologies.
