The inter-dependence of sustainable communities with resilient construction will be examined during “Resilience for Sustainable Communities,” a free webinar was held by Portland Cement Association on April 10, from 2:30–4 p.m. (CDT).
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Despite improvements to economy, foreclosures continue to drag down housing starts, prices
Home foreclosures decreased dramatically in 2011, but industry experts are cautioning that this is not a reflection of improvements in the housing market, but a result of legal, process and “robo-signing” issues. At the 2012 International Builders’ Show in Orlando recently, Ed Sullivan, chief economist for Portland Cement Association, said that the 1.9 million foreclosures reported in 2011 is understated…
Read MoreAsh Grove Leamington plant wins top safety award
Ash Grove Cement Co.’s Leamington, Utah, plant won top honors in the company’s annual L.T. Sunderland Safety Excellence Award competition for 2011. Since 2006, eight Ash Grove cement manufacturing plants and two grinding facilities have competed to earn the award. Each facility is evaluated on an extensive matrix of data that is focused on health and safety process and results.
Read MoreLafarge Exshaw recognized for health & safety leadership
More than 200,000 hours of safe operation were celebrated recently at Lafarge Canada’s Exshaw cement plant in Alberta. The 150 laborers, equipment operators, millwrights, electricians, engineers and managers at the cement plant worked injury free for the better part of 2011and the streak continues into 2012.
Read MoreAsh Grove Montana City plant wins MSHA award
The Ash Grove Cement Co.’s Montana City, Mont., plant was recognized for its outstanding safety record by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Mining Association as part of the Sentinels of Safety award program.
Read MoreEssroc Nazareth plant hit with $82K EPA fine for reporting violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that Essroc Cement Corp. has agreed to pay an $82,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of toxic chemical reporting requirements at its manufacturing Nazareth, Pa. facility. According to EPA, Essroc failed to submit three years of required reports on a regulated toxic chemical (lead) that was processed at this facility.
Read MoreASTM, AASHTO dedicate combined Cement & Concrete and Materials Reference labs
A 34,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Frederick, Md., has been converted to a shared ASTM Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official Materials Reference Laboratory (AMRL), bringing the operations of six buildings under one roof.
Read MoreHigher oil prices drive up state infrastructure costs
Home foreclosures decreased dramatically in 2011, but industry experts are cautioning that this is not a reflection of improvements in the housing market, but a result of legal, process and “robo-signing” issues. At the 2012 International Builders’ Show in Orlando recently, Ed Sullivan, chief economist for Portland Cement Association, said that the 1.9 million foreclosures reported in 2011 is understated…
Read MoreDrexel engineers develop cement with 97% smaller carbon dioxide, energy footprint
Drexel University engineers are claiming to have found a way to improve upon portland cement. In research recently published in Cement and Concrete Composites the group served up a recipe for cement that is more energy efficient and cost effective to produce than masonry’s most prevalent bonding compound.
Read MorePCA chief economist expects modest cement consumption for 2012 forecast
Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill. Stronger than expected job creation and the beginning of a construction industry recovery means gains in real construction spending will materialize this year—after seven years of consecutive declines. According to the new forecast from PCA, increases in cement consumption will follow. PCA revised its fall forecast upward from 1.1 percent, to a modest 3.7…
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