The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in mid-December that CalPortland Company (CPC) has agreed to pay a $1.425 million penalty to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its cement plant in Mojave, Calif. In addition to the penalty, CPC will spend an estimated $1.3 million on pollution controls that will…
Read MoreYear: 2012
Canadian cement consumption to decline
According to a recent report by Portland Cement Association Market Intelligence, the typical economic growth supporters of employment and energy sector investment have not translated into Canadian cement demand this year, and a 0.8% decline in consumption is forecast for 2011, followed by a moderate rebound of a 1.2% in 2012.
Read MoreASTM raises bar to generous threshold for C595’s ground limestone content
In a move that will provide the opportunity for the cement and concrete industries to reduce products’ carbon footprint, a proposal was approved to permit up to 15% ground limestone in blended cements under ASTM C595 (Blended Hydraulic Cements), with the resulting product characterized as limestone blended cements. Similar revisions are being made to the equivalent AASHTO standard by the…
Read MoreLow-CO2 Portland Limestone Cement for Canadian Pavement Construction
With growing environmental pressures to reduce clinker content in cement, the Canadian Standards Association introduced the Portland Limestone Cement classification. This article details the considerable lab testing done to show that PLC with up to 15% limestone is performance equivalent to portland cement in strength and durability.
Read MoreFLSmidth awarded two cement projects in Brazil
Copenhagen-based FLSmidth has signed a contract for two cement projects worth a total of US$132 million with the company Cimpor Cimentos do Brasil Ltda in Brazil. The contract comprises equipment for the Caxitu project, a new greenfield cement plant in Paraiba State near the town of Joâo Pessoa, and for a new kiln line project at the Cezarina cement plant…
Read MoreHolcim to invest nearly $400 million in Ecuador
In an effort to continue its commitment to the development of the construction industry in Ecuador, in late 2012, Holcim Equador will initiate an investment of nearly US$400 million to start building the second phase of its main cement plant expansion project in Guayaquil, an effort that will allow the South American country to sustain its growth in the coming…
Read MoreAsh Grove Seattle plant wins Workplace Safety Award
The Ash Grove Cement Co.’s Seattle, Wash., plant received the Association of Washington Business’ Better Workplace Safety Award from Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire (D). “We are honored that our company’s comprehensive safety program has been recognized by the Association of Washington Business,” said Plant Manager Todd Hinton. “This is an important recognition for our team’s efforts because safety is a…
Read MoreCemex finalizes Davenport Redwood Forest property to conservation group
Houston-based Cemex USA recently finalized the $30 million sale of its approximately 8,500-acre Redwood Forest property near the Cemex Davenport cement plant to a consortium of local land trusts. The land trusts comprise the Living Landscape Initiative, a major conservation project in the Silicon Valley area. The deal follows the plant’s closure in January 2010 and guarantees the continued protection…
Read MoreCemex selected a primary cement supplier for Bahamas tourist complex
Monterrey, Mexico-based Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. announced recently that it has been named the primary cement supplier for the Baha Mar tourist complex in Cable Beach, Nassau, being built by CCA Bahamas Limited. It is expected that the complex will house the largest entertainment center in the Caribbean and be completed in December 2014.
Read MoreStronger 2011 construction equipment sales expected, but slower growth through 2014
Construction equipment manufacturers anticipate overall business to close out 2011 with double-digit increases over 2010 in the U.S., Canada and worldwide. Growth is expected to continue, but at a slower pace, for 2012 through 2014, according to the annual business outlook survey of Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the Milwaukee-based international trade group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry.
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