Durkee Plant
In the wide expanse of the Western United States, our Durkee, Oregon, plant feels almost like a landmark to those who travel Interstate 84. An unincorporated community in Baker County, Durkee is known as the home to Oregon’s only major cement manufacturing plant.
With the capacity to produce over 1 million tons yearly, a talented team of over 120 people – among them mechanical and electrical engineers; quality control and laboratory technicians and chemical engineers; plant and kiln operators; and occupational health, safety and environmental specialists – run the plant, maintain equipment and control production, while the logistics and sales teams work together supporting customers.
The plant has been a critical part of the state’s industrial landscape for more than four decades, supporting approximately 600 additional local jobs through transportation, services and regional supply chains.
Production began in 1979 and expanded in 1998. The plant manufactures a wide range of products, including traditional and advanced/blended cements engineered for evolving standards and project needs, that customers can trust for their most demanding construction requirements. More recently, it has undergone updating with modern priorities in mind: a significant new mill has been built to produce low-carbon cement, a response to growing demand for more sustainable construction materials across the western U.S.
The Durkee plant recently purchased rights to a natural pozzolan source in Oregon, and product development is underway to further integrate these materials into future blended cement offerings. This step expands the plant’s ability to produce high-performance blended cements.
The plant is also home to a Sapphire Americas facility, supporting alternative fuel solutions that help reduce waste and improve efficiency in cement manufacturing.
By embracing novel technologies and reliable innovations, we can help ensure that cement remains a cornerstone of civilization and an essential material for resilient communities.
