Mexico-based Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. announced that it is supplying nearly 100,000 tons of cement for the construction of Line 1 of the Panama Metro, a stretch of approximately 14 km that is intended to connect two key hubs of the metropolitan area of Panama City. With this project, Panama would become the first country in Central America with a…
Read MoreMonth: August 2012
New construction starts to rise 2% in 2012, says McGraw-Hill midyear update
McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies recently released its 2012 Dodge Construction Outlook Midyear Update projections, which revise the forecasts provided last October at the firm’s annual Outlook Conference in Washington, D.C. The latest forecast predicts that total construction starts for the U.S. will increase 2% this year to $445 billion, up from the $434 billion reported for 2011.…
Read MoreCemex sprouts corporate sustainability seal
Products and services in Mexico-based Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V.’s building solutions portfolio with outstanding sustainability performance will carry a green- and blue-lettered seal, “ecoperating.” Earmarked for 2012-13 roll out in European and Latin American businesses, it was developed through a rigorous internal process that measures the environmental or social impact of a wide range of value propositions—from low (embodied) carbon…
Read MorePopulation growth drives PCA’s long-term construction outlook report
Population growth during the next 25 years will likely account for most of the gains in construction, according to Portland Cement Association’s Long-Term Cement Outlook. By 2035, the population of the United States will add 78 million people compared to 2010 levels.
Read MoreAsh Grove Midlothian earns Texas safety honor
Ash Grove Cement Co.’s cement plant in Midlothian, Texas, received a 2011-12 safety award recently from Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association (TACA) for its third-consecutive year of high safety ratings. In addition, the plant recently received a 2012 Chairman’s Safety Performance Award from the Portland Cement Association (PCA).
Read MoreEconomists differ on 2013 construction market outlook
During a June 20 national online news conference, American Institute of Architects Chief Economist Kermit Baker, National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist David Crowe and Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu shared their thoughts on the 2013 construction market forecast. Baker began by reinforcing the market’s state: “Construction unfortunately is the last major sector in the economy…
Read MoreSt Marys Bowmanville celebrates North America’s first ISO 50001 certification
Politicians and community leaders were on hand recently to celebrate St Marys Cement Bowmanville plant having received North America’s first International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) 50001 certification, a framework for industrial facilities seeking to manage their energy use.
Read MoreAsh Grove upgrade amplifies EPA mercury rule’s high cost
Following board approval of a $125 million capital outlay, Overland Park, Kan.-based Ash Grove Cement will incorporate a new preheater, precalciner production system at its Midlothian mill outside the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. The equipment will position the facility among Texas’ lowest emitting cement producers and become the biggest ticket investment to date tied to the Environmental Protection Agency’s portland cement…
Read MoreHolcim on track to achieve sustainability targets
The 2011 Holcim Corporate Sustainable Development Report shows that the Swiss construction materials giant Holcim Ltd. is on track to achieve its sustainability targets. The self-imposed targets for reducing dust and NOx emissions have been met, and Holcim remains a leader in the industry with the lowest CO2 emissions per metric ton of cement produced. For CEO Bernard Fontana, sustainable…
Read MoreNonresidential building index debuts
McGraw-Hill Construction’s Dodge Momentum Index, a 12-month leading indicator of nonresidential building spending, will be available monthly for material and product interests; architectural, engineering and construction professionals; and, economist and Wall Street analysts. Based on a 91% correlation between Dodge construction planning reports and the Commerce Department’s Put in Place spending over the past 10 years, the index is poised…
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