A new state-of-the-art low-carbon cement plant in East Chicago is nearing completion and is poised to become the largest facility of its kind in North America, marking a major milestone for sustainable construction materials and domestic supply chain resilience.
Owned by Ozinga and constructed by Morrison Construction, the slag cement mill is expected to begin operations in summer 2026. Once online, the plant will produce approximately one million tons of low-carbon cementitious materials annually.
The facility incorporates advanced milling technology, including a vertical roller mill equipped with six independent rollers. This design allows for faster processing, improved energy efficiency and significantly reduced carbon emissions compared to traditional cement production methods.
Ozinga officials say the plant addresses a critical environmental challenge in the construction industry. Cement production—particularly Portland cement—accounts for roughly 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions. By contrast, the new facility’s low-carbon products are expected to offset more than 700,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
“We have been mindful for a long time of how our product helps the environment. We really believe it does in so many different ways, between the recycling, durability, reflectivity and the resiliency of the product,” said Marty Ozinga. “These owners have goals to be net-zero, and we can have a really big impact on that.”
Beyond sustainability, the project is expected to play a key role in stabilizing the U.S. cement supply chain. According to company data, the United States imported nearly 30 million tons of cement in 2024, leaving construction projects vulnerable to shipping delays and volatile pricing.
By increasing domestic production capacity, the East Chicago plant is expected to reduce reliance on imports and provide more predictable material availability for infrastructure and commercial construction projects across the U.S. and Canada.
Project leaders say the development also highlights the strength of long-standing construction partnerships.
“What’s especially interesting is that it brings together a group of legacy partners, including The Pangere Corporation, Luse Insulation, Vidimos and Central Crane,” said Dan Sharpe. “Collectively, we represent over 500 years of construction experience going into this project, companies all of which have stood the test of time.”
The project has benefited from its location in Northwest Indiana, where access to skilled labor and proximity to Morrison Construction’s headquarters have provided logistical advantages.
The cement facility is also expected to deliver a substantial economic boost to the region. Ozinga estimates the project will generate approximately 350 construction and long-term full-time jobs, while Morrison Construction alone contributed more than 150,000 labor hours.
Project managers noted that timing and planning have helped keep the development on track, minimizing delays and cost overruns often associated with large industrial builds.
“This project was a target for Morrison the moment it became public. Ozinga requires a certain amount of sophistication with regards to schedule and has a high bar for quality,” said Mark Winter. “These are Morrison’s core strengths and what differentiates us from the competition.”
As the construction industry continues to prioritize sustainability and resilience, projects like Ozinga’s low-carbon cement mill are expected to play a critical role in reducing emissions while supporting infrastructure growth.
With completion on the horizon, the East Chicago facility represents a convergence of environmental innovation, industrial expertise and long-term economic development for the Midwest construction sector.
Originally reported by Morrison Construction in Building Indiana.
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