Dry cement may look like a hodge-podge of soot and gravel when it pours out of the bag, but each package is the result of a carefully calculated process. With more than a dozen possible components – which can differ based on the aggregate “recipe” needed for various construction jobs – accuracy and precision are key to quality control. In…
Read MoreYear: 2013
PCA’s Sullivan Projects Bright Future
Improving underlying economic fundamentals, the existence of large pent-up demand balances, and the diminishment of economic fiscal cliff uncertainty will combine to result in strong growth rates in 2013 and an increase in cement consumption, said Portland Cement Association (PCA) Chief Economist Ed Sullivan, in a special forecast held at last month’s World of Concrete in Las Vegas.
Read MoreUSGS Releases Cement Summary
According to USGS’ Mineral Commodity Summaries 2013, about 71 million tons of portland cement and 2.0 million tons of masonry cement were produced in 2012; the output was from 98 plants in 35 states. Cement was also produced at two plants in Puerto Rico.
Read MoreCemex Downsizing West Palm Beach Locations
Holcim’s Mexican arm, Cemex has announced it will lay off 79 people in West Palm Beach this year, starting March 31, even though the demand for cement is on the rise. The downsizing affects workers in accounting, information technology and other support roles, Cemex Spokeswoman Sara Engdahl said. The layoffs will include employees at Cemex’s locations on Belvedere Road and…
Read MoreCement Consumption in Mexico Up 3.5 Percent
Holcim’s Mexican arm, Holcim Apasco, estimates that cement demand in the country grew 3.5 percent in 2012 compared to 2011. The cement major said the increase in consumption, which reached 35 Mt last year, was driven by stronger growth in the infrastructure segment, moderate expansion in self-build housing as well as the construction of industrial buildings, offices and shopping centers.
Read MorePCA Stresses Commitment to Promotion and Advocacy
Hosting a World of Concrete opening day luncheon, PCA President and CEO Gregory Scott and 2013 Chairman Cary Cohrs underscored the group’s commitment to industry-wide promotion and greater advocacy efforts in the nation’s capital. The February 5 event marked the introduction of newly appointed PCA leadership to representatives from major national groups in concrete production and construction, and one of…
Read MoreCement Industry to Spend $685 Million/Year for Pollution Control
The promulgation of tough air toxics rules will cause the cement industry to spend $685 million per year for air-pollution-control equipment over each of the next three years, according to the McIlvaine Co.’s Cement Plant and Project Tracking System.
Read MoreCSI Launches Environmental Product Declarations for Concrete
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)’s Cement Sustainability Initiative’s (CSI) new Product Category Rules (PCR) for unreinforced concrete offer producers a common methodology to prepare Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for their mixes. CSI membership includes all multinational companies with integrated North American operations: Argos, CRH, Cemex, GCC, Heidelberg, Holcim, Lafarge, Taiheiyo, Titan and Votorantim.
Read MoreCMC Invests in Two Cement-Related Projects
Carbon Management Canada (CMC) has awarded a total of $3.75 million to eight new research projects including two that are focused on the cement industry. With these awards, CMC has now committed $22 million to 44 research projects at Canadian universities with additional contributions and partners from more than 100 companies, stakeholder organizations and international universities in countries such as…
Read MoreUltrasonic Sensor
Bindicator added a single-tank ultrasonic model to its product offering. SONO-1000 measures bulk solids in vessels up to 98 ft. (30 m) in height. It is an ideal sonic solution for locations with a limited number of vessels, where a separate controller may be cost prohibitive; both an AC and DC version are available.
Read More