Reviving a 60s modern marvel
Built in the early 1960s, the Lafarge cement plant in Ravena, New York, USA, has seen many changes. As part of a three-year modernisation project, the facility improved its grinding section with the help of Gebr Pfeiffer Inc. The project resulted in higher output as well as a more efficient and environmentally-friendly grinding process. By Chris Oesch, Gebr Pfeiffer Inc, USA.
Gebr Pfeiffer installed an MVR 6000 R-6 vertical
roller mill as part of the modernisation project
at LafargeHolcim’s Ravena plant, New York, USA
The Atlantic Cement Co first broke ground in the Ravena-Coeymans area on 19 May 1961 with an ambitious, US$64m project. New York Governor, Nelson A Rockefeller, participated in the ceremony. This enormous enterprise was destined to be one of the largest cement plants in the US, with a cement production capacity of 10mgal or 1.7Mta.
Almost 60 years have gone by, and the plant in Ravena continues to be one of the area’s largest employers and a trusted community partner.
According to a recent LafargeHolcim economic study, the Ravena plant has been a very important benefactor to the Albany County and Coeymans areas. Its contributions have positively impacted not only the Ravena-Coeymans Central School District but also the quality of life of many local households. Between employees, vendors and contractors, the plant probably reaches out to about 500 people.
