Work is nearing completion for a new state-of-the-art, cleaner-energy plant in East Chicago that will become the largest low-carbon slag cement mill of its kind on the continent when completed.
The project is owned by Ozinga, a concrete, aggregate and cement provider, operating multiple locations throughout the Midwest and South Florida. Morrison Construction, which specializes in heavy industrial builds, is the general contractor for the project.
When the plant comes online in the summer of 2026, the facility will annually produce one million tons of low-carbon materials. The facility is powered by a vertical roller mill that operates six independent rollers, enabling it to process more material at a faster rate than any comparable mill in North America. The result is maximal energy efficiency and minimal carbon emissions.
Ozinga reports that in 2024, the United States imported nearly 30 million tons of cement, including Portland cement, a core ingredient in concrete and other aggregate products, that accounts for nearly 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Ozinga’s line of sustainable concrete products reduces the impact of embodied carbon. Company officials note that the low-carbon cement produced at Ozinga’s new mill is expected to offset over 700,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
In an interview, Marty Ozinga, CEO of Ozinga, said sustainability for the company is holistic and a response to the growing demand from owner clients who are embracing eco-friendly design builds, including low-carbon concrete, in their efforts to reach their sustainability goals.
“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,” he said. “These owners have goals to be net-zero, and we can have a really big impact on that.”
Beyond the scale of the project, the facility will address the ongoing supply chain volatility in the cement industry.
With tens of millions of tons of cement imported into the United States each year, projects are often plagued by shipping delays and pricing fluctuations that can throw infrastructure builds off in both timing and budget. The production of low carbon cement at the East Chicago plant eases the reliance on imports and strengthens reliability for companies throughout the United States and Canada, therefore providing a more secure supply chain by onshoring supply.
Five Centuries of Experience
Dan Sharpe, Principal at Morrison Construction, said the project is being built by and for family-owned businesses. Morrison celebrated its 100th year in 2025 and Ozinga is now in its 98th year.
“What’s especially interesting is that it brings together a group of legacy partners, including The Pangere Corporation, Luse Insulation, Vidimos and Central Crane,” he said. “Collectively, we represent over 500 years of construction experience going into this project, companies all of which have stood the test of time.”
Allen Ogden the Project Manager for Morrison, said the project is particularly compelling for his company from both a business and workforce perspective.
“The site – a clean brownfield – is ideally located in the heart of Northwest Indiana’s building trades community and just five miles from Morrison’s headquarters, creating clear logistical and labor advantages,” he said.
Ogden noted that the timing of the project is also a benefit for Morrison, as manpower and resources were available for a project of this scale.
“And it just fit our business plan, a diverse, heavy industrial craft mix, which is Morrison’s strength,” he said. “The engineering and owner procurement were far enough along, which helped minimize any schedule impacts and scope creep issues which in turn substantially reduces contract conflicts.”
Mark Winter President of Morrison stated “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,” he said. “These are Morrison’s core strengths and what differentiates us from the competition.”
Contributing to Economic Growth
Being a major partner in Ozinga’s mission of delivering net-zero concrete by 2030 is but one part of Morrison’s goal with the project. The employee-owned construction company has built a Midwestern legacy of contributing to the area’s economic development. The leading Northwest Indiana contractor’s specialty is serving as a direct hire general contractor, accommodating all of the heavy industrial building trades. The East Chicago facility project brought over 150,000 manhours for just Morrison contracts alone
Ozinga estimates that in its entirety, the project will create 350 construction and long-term, full-time jobs, further fueling economic growth throughout the region.
Sharpe said Morrison’s involvement in Ozinga’s revolutionary cement plant is one more way the company pushes forward to serve the industry, the community and the employees who are dedicated to innovation and continued success.
“Like many firms in the construction industry, Morrison has experienced its share of highs and lows over the years. The last decade, however, the company has entered a renewed period of growth and achievement,” he said. “This resurgence has been driven in large part by the longevity and dedication of its workforce, along with the shared sense of ownership that comes from operating as an employee-owned company.
“Our employees are not only contributors to the company’s success, but they are also personally invested in it,” he continued. “That’s why our involvement with industrial transformational projects like Ozinga’s new low-carbon cement mill is so important to us. It helps us continue to foster a culture of commitment, accountability, and long-term vision.”
About Morrison Construction:
Morrison Construction Company is a heavy industrial and commercial construction firm with roots dating back to 1925. The employee-owned company delivers mechanical, civil, structural, duct and piping projects across sectors, including power, process, steel, and water infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on safety, quality and responsive management.
