Lafarge North America, Inc. Cement Plant in Fredonia, Kansas

Lafarge North America, Inc. operates a cement plant located at 1400 South Cement Road in Fredonia, Kansas, within Wilson County. This facility is part of the broader cement manufacturing sector, which produces essential materials for infrastructure and building projects. The plant is operational and classified under NAICS code 327310 for cement manufacturing. As a cement plant, the facility engages in high-temperature kiln processes that produce clinker, the key intermediate in cement. These operations are regulated under the US Clean Air Act (CAA) for emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, as well as the Clean Water Act (CWA) for process water discharges. The plant likely holds a Title V operating permit and complies with National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for cement manufacturing. The environmental significance of this facility lies in its potential emissions and resource use. Cement production is energy-intensive and generates carbon dioxide from both fuel combustion and calcination. The plant's location in rural Kansas may reduce community proximity concerns, but local air quality and water resources remain important regulatory focus areas. The facility contributes to regional construction supply chains.

The cement plant in Fredonia operates in a rural area of southeastern Kansas, where the local environment includes agricultural land and the Verdigris River watershed. Cement manufacturing involves quarrying raw materials (limestone, clay) and high-temperature processing, leading to emissions of dust, CO2, and other pollutants. The facility's proximity to the community and water bodies necessitates compliance with EPA air and water quality standards. Regional climate conditions, including variable precipitation, may influence dust management and water usage practices.