North American portland cement consumption increased 11.6 percent in the second quarter of 2012 against the same quarter in 2011. Both the U.S. and Canada recorded double-digit gains of 11.8 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively, according to Portland Cement Association’s Survey of Portland Cement by User Group report.
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Compliance deadline reset to increase technology availability, preserve jobs, says PCA
A recently proposed standard for particulate matter for the cement industry will allow plants to develop new control and compliance strategies to address this and other emissions while preserving vital manufacturing jobs, according to statements Portland Cement Association issued recently at a public hearing in Arlington, Texas.
Read MoreHolcim honored as South Carolina manufacturer of the year
The Holcim (US) Inc. cement plant in Holly Hill, S.C., has been named the medium-sized manufacturer of the year by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. “Holcim believes that active involvement in the communities in which it operates is essential to the success of its business,” the chamber said in an announcement about the honor.
Read More$446M Lafarge NA asset deal yields Eagle Materials Great Plains platform
Source: Eagle Materials Inc., Dallas; Lafarge Group, Paris; Staff reports Eagle Materials announced recently that the company has entered into a definitive agreement with Lafarge North America to purchase for $446 million Lafarge’s Sugar Creek, Mo., and Tulsa, Okla., cement operations, as well as related assets, which include six distribution terminals, two aggregates quarries, eight ready-mixed plants and a fly…
Read MoreResilient concrete building focus of post-tornado Missouri community event
Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill. Joplin Concrete will lead a host of Missouri professionals in sponsoring “Ideas for a Stronger Joplin,” October 20, 2012, from 10 a.m–2 p.m., at the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center in Joplin. Walter Wulf, CEO of Joplin parent company Monarch Cement, will be master of ceremonies for the free event framed around the…
Read MoreCAC to hold Rediscover Concrete educational events in every province
Source: Cement Association of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario To remind building designers and contractors across Canada of the benefits of using concrete for building and infrastructure projects, CAC is hosting Rediscover Concrete seminars and meetings. “Our seminars will engage decision makers across the country and encourage discussions surrounding the sustainability of cement and concrete for building and infrastructure projects,” stated Michael…
Read MoreCrony capitalist mindset rises in EPA fly ash rulemaking
Sources: CP staff; IBA Green Inc., Newport Beach, Calif. A subsidiary of a publicly traded energy company, Pioneer Exploration, is claiming processes to neutralize the purported toxicity of coal combustion fly ash and waste incineration bottom ash, then recycle treated material into infrastructure-suited geopolymer concrete.
Read MoreConstruction executives: Romney best bet for broad industry recovery
Source: Engineering News-Record Construction leaders believe the industry’s recession will carry through mid-2013. According to the ENR Construction Industry Confidence Index (CICI) for the third quarter of 2012, construction and design firm executives believe that the market in the near term will continue to be flat, and that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s election represents the best bet for a…
Read MorePCA shifts leadership focus to D.C., names new president
Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill. PCA announced management changes designed to shift leadership to Washington, D.C., in support of a renewed emphasis on national advocacy efforts in our nation’s capitol. Effective September 6, Greg Scott, PCA’s senior vice president of government affairs, is promoted to president. He will report to Brian McCarthy, PCA’s current president/CEO based in Skokie, who…
Read MoreTerver, Ruiz gain expanded roles in Holcim Ltd., U.S. operations
Source: Holcim (US) Inc., Waltham, Mass. Holcim (US) President and CEO Bernard Terver has joined the executive committee of Swiss parent, Holcim Ltd., and will assume responsibility for a new Group region encompassing the U.S. and Canadian namesake plus Aggregate Industries (US) and (UK) businesses. The appointment coincides with “Holcim Leadership Journey,” an initiative to streamline and strengthen Holcim Ltd.…
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