As Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) first Gold National Sponsor, Holcim (Canada) will play a key role in the group’s National Conference and Expo 2013, June 4-6 in Vancouver, and the implementation of EcoDistricts, an initiative aimed at working with professionals, cities and community groups to transform neighborhoods.
Read MoreAuthor: Cement Optimized News
Votorantim Cimentos Files for $5.4 Billion IPO
Brazil’s largest cement producer, Votorantim Cimentos S.A., filed a $5.4 billion maximum proposed initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 17. The company plans to dual list on the NYSE and São Paulo Stock Exchange to raise funds to finance expansion, portfolio diversification and reduce debt. A request was filed with the Brazilian Securities…
Read MoreCemex Releases Sustainability Report
Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. presented its 2012 Sustainable Development Report last month. Among other highlights, the company reported that its different self-construction initiatives, including Patrimonio Hoy, ConstruApoyo and Productive Centers of Self-Employment, benefited more than 2 million people since the programs started. The report summarizes the company’s role in “Building the Cities of the Future.”
Read MoreRetractable Air Cannon Nozzles
The new 360-degree retractable air cannon nozzle from Martin Engineering loosens stubborn build-up in pre-heater towers and large process vessels, extending into the material stream only during the firing cycle to protect the nozzles from extreme temperatures and abrasion. The new product solves two common industry problems: effectively dislodging accumulations in hard-to-reach areas without shutdown or manual labor, while significantly…
Read MoreVibration Monitor
A new BETEX professional VibChecker vibration monitor meter is a light and compact-sized instrument designed for quick and accurate vibration surveys. The meter, identified as model TB-C780201, provides portable and user-friendly vibration measurement in the 10 – 1,000 Hz frequency range. Measurement results are immediately and automatically evaluated against ISO standards, and can be stored for documentation and follow-up.
Read MoreManufacturing Intelligence
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 MorePCA’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.
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