Summary of Open Day at Odra Cement Works

Cementownia Odra, the oldest operating facility of its kind in Poland, opens its gates to the general public once every two years. This year's event was unique, as it was organised for the first time since the pandemic. As in previous years, it attracted crowds of visitors, who had the opportunity to see the facility and explore the secrets of cement production, including technologies that minimise the plant's impact on the environment.

In his speech, Wojciech Putra, President of Cementownia Odra, emphasised that good neighbourliness requires trust, and the Open Day is an excellent opportunity to see for oneself what measures are being taken in the area of social and environmental responsibility.

Among other things, Opole residents learned that the cement production process is waste-free, while at the same time allowing the management of many difficult wastes such as:

• Fly ash (waste from power plant or thermal power station)
• Granulated blast furnace slag (waste from the steel industry)
• Reagips (waste from flue gas desulphurisation process)
• Copper slag (waste from copper smelters)
• Steel slags (by-product of the converter process)
• Alternative fuels (municipal and industrial waste)

Currently, 40% of the raw materials used in the production of Portland cements at the Oder Cement Works come from waste, and 60% of the energy is generated from alternative fuels.

In addition to the tour, the organisers provided a number of attractions, including performances by artists singing the greatest hits from the Opole Festival and a children's festival. In the children's zone, the Interzero stand was very popular, where visitors could playfully learn about the principles of correct waste segregation or prepare a small gift for their loved ones.

The Open Day at Cement Works Odra showed how this plant combines tradition with innovation and how it cares for the environment and the local community.

Interzero was one of the partners of the Open Day at the Oder Cement Works.