With the first half of 2012 experiencing favorable weather conditions, gains in residential and nonresidential construction activity and robust gains in cement intensities, the new PCA forecast nearly doubles the expected increase in cement consumption for the year. The association’s revised its spring forecast upward, anticipating a 6.9 percent increase in 2012 from 2011 levels (and up from a May…
Read MoreCategory: CementScope
EPA proposes updates, two-year deadline extension for 2010 cement standards
In response to a federal court ruling and industry data, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing changes to its 2010 air standards for the portland cement manufacturing industry. The proposal would continue the significant emission reductions from the 2010 standards, while providing industry additional compliance flexibilities, including more time to implement the proposed updates by extending the compliance date…
Read MoreCement Totals – April 2012
Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were almost 6.7 million mt in April 2012, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was 17.5% higher compared with shipments for April 2011. Shipments for the year through April were 21.9 million mt, up about 19% for the same period in 2011.
Read MoreASTM C595 acknowledges 15% limestone threshold
The ASTM C595-12 Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements defines requirements for a new powder: Type IL, portland-limestone blended cement, which includes 5% to 15% limestone as an ingredient. Adoption of Type IL product has the potential to reduce environmental impact of cement production by about 10%, while maintaining performance characteristics concrete producers require for specified mixes. The requirements for…
Read MorePCA chairman urges public policy that incorporates durability, sustainability
At the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Portland Cement Association Chairman of the Board Aris Papadopoulos, CEO of Titan America, called on business leaders of the world to include resilient construction in public policy.
Read MoreFeds circle prospective Martin Marietta, Vulcan market overlaps
In response to a potential Martin Marietta–Vulcan Materials merger the former company proposed in an early-December stock-for-stock exchange offer, the Department of Justice Antitrust Division has requested Vulcan provide ready mixed, aggregate and asphalt delivery detail from certain operations in 15 states. Vulcan noted in a Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) filing it had received from Justice officials a Civil…
Read MoreCement Totals October 2011
Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were about 7.3 million mt in October 2011, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was 4.0% higher compared with shipments for October 2010. Total shipments for the year through October were approximately 61.1 million mt, slightly higher compared to the same period in 2010.
Read MoreAsh Grove becomes first U.S. cement maker to ISO certify all plants
Ash Grove Vice President of Environmental Affairs, Curtis Lesslie, PE, announced that the company is currently the only domestic cement manufacturer to have its entire fleet of eight operating clinker manufacturing facilities earn the prestigious ISO 14001 certification. In 2010, seven of the company’s facilities earned the designation; its reconstructed Foreman, Ark., plant earned it in December 2011, according to…
Read MoreCemex receives $600 million payment for Venezuela nationalization
Mexico’s Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. announced recently that it has received payment of US$600 million from the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and its public entity Corporación Socialista del Cemento, S.A. as compensation for the nationalization of Cemex Venezuela, S.A.C.A. In addition, US$154 million of accounts payable by Cemex subsidiaries to Cemex Venezuela have been cancelled.
Read MorePCA Board elects slate of directors
The Portland Cement Association Board of Directors elected officers and a new slate of directors for the coming year at its Annual Meeting on November 15. Aris Papadopoulos (Titan America), was re-elected to serve as chairman of the Board and Sylvain Garnaud (Lafarge North America) as vice chairman of the Board.
Read More