CEMEX Construction Materials South LLC Cement Plant in Lyons, Colorado

CEMEX Construction Materials South LLC is a cement plant located at 5134 Ute Highway in Lyons, Colorado, United States. The facility is operational and classified under NAICS codes 212312 (Crushed and Broken Limestone Mining), 212319 (Other Crushed and Broken Stone Mining and Quarrying), and 327310 (Cement Manufacturing), indicating integrated quarry and cement production operations. As part of CEMEX, a global building materials company, this plant supplies cement to construction markets in Colorado and surrounding regions. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) for emissions, Clean Water Act (CWA) for water discharges, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for waste management. Cement manufacturing is energy-intensive and involves significant combustion emissions, with typical technologies including preheater/precalciner kilns. The facility likely holds Title V air permits and complies with National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for cement plants. Cement plants are significant sources of CO2, NOx, and particulate matter, and this facility's proximity to Lyons and the Front Range urban corridor raises considerations for air quality and community impact. The plant's role in supplying essential construction materials underscores its economic importance, while its environmental footprint requires robust pollution control measures and regulatory compliance.

The cement plant is situated in Boulder County, Colorado, near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The region experiences a semi-arid climate with occasional temperature inversions that can trap air pollutants. Cement production generates substantial emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter. The facility's location near residential areas and the Denver metropolitan area heightens the importance of effective emission controls and compliance with EPA air quality standards. Water use for cooling and dust suppression may also impact local water resources.