CHICAGO, IN — Ozinga has officially broken ground on a low-carbon cement manufacturing facility in East Chicago, Indiana. Equipped with one of North America’s largest vertical roller mills, the new plant will produce 1 million tons of low-carbon cementitious materials annually. Located with direct access to rail, truck, and water (via the Great Lakes and the inland waterways of the U.S.), the facility will serve customers across the United States and Canada.
“Ozinga has always believed that true innovation isn’t just about progress, it’s about purpose,” said Marty Ozinga, CEO of Ozinga. “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.”
The East Chicago facility and its related operations are projected to create approximately 150 construction and long-term full-time jobs, fueling regional economic growth. Operations are expected to begin in 2026.
“This is the kind of investment that strengthens communities and provides real opportunity for local families,” said Anthony Copeland, Mayor of East Chicago.
With over 2,500 employees nationwide, Ozinga continues to prioritize sustainability, community development, and innovation. The East Chicago facility marks a milestone in the company’s mission to deliver net zero concrete by 2030.
| Your local Gomaco dealer |
|---|
| Fabick CAT/MO |
Concrete is the backbone of modern infrastructure, essential to homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges. Yet traditional Portland cement, its core ingredient, accounts for nearly 7 percent of global CO2 emissions. In 2024, the United States imported nearly 30 million tons of cement, leaving infrastructure projects vulnerable to supply chain instability and trade volatility.
Ozinga’s East Chicago facility directly addresses this challenge. By producing domestic low-carbon cements, it will reduce dependence on imports and lower embodied carbon in construction materials, supporting both environmental goals and economic resilience.
At the heart of the facility is the MVR5300-C6 vertical roller mill from Gebr. Pfeiffer, the largest of its kind in North America. With six independent rollers, the mill maximizes energy efficiency while minimizing carbon emissions.
“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.”
| Your local Wirtgen America dealer |
|---|
| Brandeis Machinery |
The facility will produce ASTM C989-compliant low-carbon slag cement, as well as proprietary blends under Ozinga’s CarbonSense brand, meeting ASTM C1157 performance standards and delivering up to 80 percent reductions in embodied carbon. Once fully operational, the plant is projected to offset more than 700,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of U.S. construction.
The new East Chicago facility is a response to the growing demand for low-carbon concrete in data center construction and other mission-critical infrastructure projects across North America.
