Buzzi Unicem USA Knoxville Distribution Terminal - Cement Plant in Knoxville, Tennessee

Buzzi Unicem USA Knoxville Distribution Terminal is a cement plant situated at 2318 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. As a distribution terminal, it serves as a key node in the cement supply chain for the region. The facility is operational and classified under NAICS codes 327310 (Cement Manufacturing) and 327320 (Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing), indicating its role in both cement production and concrete mixing. The facility operates within the United States regulatory framework, which includes the Clean Air Act (CAA) for emissions control, the Clean Water Act (CWA) for wastewater management, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for hazardous waste handling. As a cement plant, it is subject to EPA's National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the cement manufacturing sector. The plant's location in an urban area near the University of Tennessee campus suggests proximity to residential and commercial zones. Cement plants are significant sources of CO2 emissions due to the calcination process, and they also emit particulate matter and other pollutants. The Knoxville terminal's role in distributing cement to local construction markets underscores its economic importance. Environmental oversight by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) ensures compliance with state and federal regulations.

The Knoxville area experiences a humid subtropical climate, which can influence air quality dispersion patterns. Cement plants are inherently pollution-intensive, with primary emissions including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide from fuel combustion and clinker production. The facility's proximity to residential areas and the Tennessee River raises considerations for community exposure and water quality. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Air Act and state permits aims to mitigate these impacts through emission controls and monitoring.