November 2012 sees eight per cent rise in US cement shipments

Total shipments for Portland and blended cement in the US and Puerto Rico reached 6.6Mt in November 2012, representing an increase of nearly eight per cent, according to the latest figures from the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The leading consuming states (Texas, California, Florida, Ohio and Illinois, in descending order) received about 37 per cent of the November total shipments).

The leading producing states were Texas, Missouri, California, Florida and Michigan (in descending order) and these shipped about 44 per cent of the US total. Clinker production totalled 6Mt, slightly less than the output in November 2011.

In terms of imports, the US purchase 683,000t of cement and clinker abroad, about four per cent more YoY. Exports reached 89,364t.

The first 11 months of 2012 saw cement deliveries rise by almost 10 per cent to 74.2Mt.

Clinker production for the period advanced eight per cent to 62.3Mt with California, Missouri, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida – some 45 per cent of the US total.

Imports increased by around seven per cent 6.55Mt while exports for the year reached 1.16Mt.