Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico in April 2013 were about 6.7 million metric tons (Mt), down very slightly from the level in April 2012, according to a recent USGS Mineral Industry Survey. Shipments for the year through April were 22.0 Mt, essentially unchanged.
Read MoreYear: 2013
Cemex Announces Mobile Solid Waste System in Mexico
Cemex has introduced an innovative mobile plant that sorts solid waste for use as alternative fuels in Mexico. The system will help lengthen the usable life of landfills, increase the recovery rate of recyclables, improve the working conditions for landfill workers and produce better alternative fuels. It’s expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 130,000 tpy.
Read MoreCemento Panamericano Opens $80 Million Plant
Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina headed a ribbon cutting ceremony last week for the Cemento Panamericano (PANAM) plant in Villa Gautier, San Pedro. PANAM Executive Manuel Estrella said that the $80 million facility will create 800 direct and 2,400 indirect jobs.
Read MoreCement Labeled Most Energy-Intensive Industry
Drawing data from its just-released 2013 Annual Energy Outlook, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) cites challenging statistics portland cement customers and producers might encounter in a construction market influenced by green building rating systems and carbon-tracking government agencies.
Read MoreCementos Bío Bío Names New CEO
Cementos Bío Bío appointed Iñaki Otegui as its new CEO, effective Aug. 1. Otegui replaces Jorge Matus, who resigned after 39 years with the company.
Read MoreLafarge Executive Committee Evolves
Lafarge has announced the following changes to its Executive Committee, effective Sept. 1:
Read MoreCemex Launches Global Solutions Service
Cemex announced on July 1 the launch of Cemex Global Solutions, a service the company states “leverages over a century of industry-leading expertise to provide customers with the best value proposition in a full range of technical services for the cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates industry.”
Read MoreVotorantim Cimentos Postpones IPO
Votorantim Cimentos, Brazil’s largest cement producer, suspended a multi-billion-dollar offering until Sept. 11 because of unfavorable market conditions. The IPO, which was scheduled for June 19, would have been the world’s second-largest this year, and was seen as a key test of investors’ perceptions of Brazil and the broader emerging markets.
Read MoreTXI Names New Chairman of the Board
Texas Industries (TXI) announced that its board of directors named Tom Ransdell as its chairman of the board effective June 18. Ransdell has been an independent director of TXI since 2005 and has years of experience in the construction materials industry. Ransdell fills the position of chairman created by the untimely death of Bob Rogers on June 11.
Read MoreDominican Republic Association Appoints New President
The Dominican Association of Portland Cement Manufacturers (Adocem) swore in Carlos Gonzalez as its president for 2013-2014, succeeding Osvaldo Oller. Gonzalez, who is also president of Cemex in the country, joins Gabriel Ballestas of Cementos Argos (treasurer) and Jose Caceres of Cementos Cibao (secretary).
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