Design and Construction Report staff writer
Ozinga has started construction on a new low-carbon cement manufacturing facility Tuesday, aiming to produce one million tons of cementitious materials annually and strengthen sustainable infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada.
The plant will feature North America’s largest vertical roller mill, the MVR5300-C6 from Gebr. Pfeiffer, designed to maximize energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The mill’s six independent rollers enable high throughput with lower embodied carbon.
Located strategically with access to rail, truck, and water transportation via the Great Lakes and inland waterways, the facility is expected to begin operations in 2026. It will create about 150 construction and long-term full-time jobs, contributing to regional economic growth.
“Ozinga has always believed that true innovation isn’t just about progress, it’s about purpose,” said Marty Ozinga, CEO. “This facility is more than a plant. It’s a commitment to the future of American manufacturing, to sustainable building, and to strengthening American communities for generations to come.”
East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland welcomed the project, saying it represents “the kind of investment that strengthens communities and provides real opportunity for local families.”
Concrete production is a major source of global carbon dioxide emissions, with traditional Portland cement accounting for nearly 7% of global CO₂ output. The United States imported nearly 30 million tons of cement in 2024, exposing infrastructure projects to supply chain risks.
Ozinga’s new facility aims to reduce reliance on imports by producing domestic low-carbon cements. It will manufacture ASTM C989-compliant slag cement and proprietary CarbonSense™ blends that meet ASTM C1157 standards, offering up to 80% reduction in embodied carbon. The plant is projected to offset more than 700,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually once fully operational.
“This isn’t just a plant — it’s a technological milestone,” said Timothy Burden, president of Gebr. Pfeiffer Americas. “The MVR5300-C6 sets a new benchmark for sustainable cement production.”
Ozinga’s sustainable building efforts have been bolstered by partnerships with Meta, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and others. Their collaborations have led to AI-optimized low-carbon concrete used in Meta’s DeKalb, Illinois, data center and helped reduce embodied carbon by 64% in Amazon Web Services’ New Carlisle, Indiana, facility.
The East Chicago mill meets growing demand for low-carbon materials in critical infrastructure and data center construction across North America.
With more than 2,500 employees nationwide, Ozinga continues to prioritize sustainability and innovation in its operations.
For more information, visit ozinga.com.
