Cementos Progreso presents "A Clear Look at Sustainability" and unveils its new artificial intelligence ambassadress

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Cementos Progreso presents «A Clear Look at Sustainability» and unveils its new artificial intelligence ambassadress

3 min. read
08/29/2024

Cementos Progreso has unveiled its 2023 environmental, social and economic performance with the fifth edition of its Sustainability Report: “Crecimos para Crear Valor” (We grew to create value). In a groundbreaking event, the company unveiled Clara, a conversational avatar developed with artificial intelligence.

In addition to sharing all the details of the new Sustainability Report and interacting with media and event attendees, Clara will be available on different digital platforms to promote Cementos Progreso’s sustainable practices and its commitment to transparency and development. By incorporating Clara, the company seeks to receive feedback and foster an accessible and meaningful discussion about the importance of sustainability and how each person can contribute to a better future for all.

“The incorporation of our new sustainability ambassador is a significant milestone for the Progreso family. Clara represents our ability to integrate innovation into our processes and use technology to strengthen our commitment to sustainable development. We are excited to welcome Clara and look forward to her facilitating dialogue and engagement with our many stakeholders,” said Stephanie Melville, president of Progreso.

This launch allows the company to leave a unique and lasting footprint on a currently relevant issue. Clara and the 2023 Sustainability Report reflect the values instituted by its founder, Carlos F. Novella, who laid the foundations of the company’s sustainability almost 125 years ago.

“We grew to create value”

For more than a decade, the company has implemented its Sustainability Strategy with the objective of having a long-term vision and a process of continuous improvement in mnaging human, commercial, social and environmental factors in the countries where it operates. These are some of the most relevant results for 2023:

Preferred Employer: 938 new jobs were created, reaching a total of 4,760 employees in the countries covered by this report. In 2023, women accounted for 17.6% of employees and currently occupy 21.3% of decision-making and positions of authority. In addition, 65.3% of the plant workforce comes from the communities where the company operates.

Favorite Supplier: We significantly increased our investment in new construction solutions’ research, development, and innovation. In addition, housing solutions were promoted through the Construyamos program, which generated 2,018 new homes. Cementos Progreso also obtained a 93% rating in the customer experience indicator.

Environmental Leader: Through prevention, shared responsibility, training, research and innovation in environmental matters, Cementos Progreso seeks to consolidate its regional leadership. Of the 53.16 kt of ordinary waste generated, 27.0% was reused, 1.3% was recycled, and 1.5% was co-processed, generating 305.66 TJ of energy from co-processing. To date, 1,481.59 tons of solid waste collected from the Motagua River have been revalued, preventing approximately 3.3 million pounds of waste from ending up in the Atlantic Ocean and ensuring environmentally safe management.
Responsible Citizen: To date, 1,400 families have transformed their lives with the “HogaRES” initiative, promoting resilient and healthy spaces by replacing dirt floors with concrete ones. Through AgroProgreso and Gestión Social, we promoted productive chains that boosted the Guatemalan flower growers’ self-sustainability, reaching 17,000 dozen roses exported to the United States.

“Throughout our nearly 125-year history, we have demonstrated a unique ability to adapt and persevere in the face of the greatest challenges, while remaining true to our core principles and values. Our commitment to sustainable development is guided by a clear vision for the next generations, and is not just a promise, but a daily practice that allows us to continue generating “Progress in everything we do,” said José Raúl González, CEO of Progreso.