Cement News tagged under: North America

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CRH releases 1Q21 trading update

28 April 2021, Published under Cement News

CRH has released a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting, which takes place tomorrow. The company has seen sales rise three per cent on a like-for-like basis in the first quarter of 2021, on the back of strong underlying demand and pricing progress across its key markets. "We had a positive start to the year in a seasonally quiet period for our business with good underlying demand and pricing progress across our key markets. While near-term uncertainties remain, we expect firs...

Which US cement producers can exploit higher cement demand in 2021?

16 April 2021, Published under Cement News

The Portland Cement Association's ( PCA) Spring Cement Consumption Forecast for 2021-22 indicated that cement demand in the USA could match or exceed last year's growth of two per cent, despite the loss of nearly 9.5m jobs and a severe decline in real GDP as a direct result of the country's lockdowns and economic impact from COVID-19. Further, the PCA was keen to highlight the long-term upturn in US cement demand that would be supported by the US$2.2trn eight-year infrastructure 'Bui...

US Portland and blended cement shipments decline 2% in January

15 April 2021, Published under Cement News

Total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, in the USA and Puerto Rico slipped two per cent YoY to 6.7Mt in January 2021, said the US Geological Survey (USGS). The country’s top five cement markets – Texas, California, Florida, Georgia and Arizona – accounted for 46 per cent of January shipments. Texas, California, Missouri, Florida and Alabama were the leading producing states. Masonry cement shipments totalled 177,000t in January 2021, down seven per cent YoY. Sixt...

Tribunal issues decision in favour of Colacem for new plant

14 April 2021, Published under Cement News

Canada’s Ontario Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) has issued a decision in favour of Colacem for a new cement plant near L’Orignal. A hearing had taken place in November and December last year, which resulted from two appeals made by opposing parties in response to planning decisions involving the plant in 2017. The tribunal found Colacem presented persuasive evidence relating to the employment benefits the cement plant will have and that the planning applications meet the require...

PCA wins Energy Star Partner of the Year Award

14 April 2021, Published under Cement News

The Portland Cement Association (PCA), representing America's cement manufacturers, has received the 2021 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. This is the second year in a row PCA has earned this prestigious honour. "PCA and its members are proud to be recognised for continuously improving energy efficiency to reduce emissions," said PCA President and CEO, Michael Ireland. "The cement and concrete industry is le...

PCA releases Spring Forecast for US demand

12 April 2021, Published under Cement News

USA-based Portland Cement Association (PCA) has recently presented its annual Spring Cement Consumption Forecast, predicting an increase in cement consumption for 2021 and 2022 in the country. "Remarkably, US cement consumption recorded two per cent growth during 2020. It is remarkable because COVID-19 exerted a terrible toll on the economy. Consumers bunkered down; states enacted rigid lockdowns. Real GDP declined to a rate not matched since 1946 as the economy transitioned from war time...

LafargeHolcim is moving back towards its roots

09 April 2021, Published under Cement News

LafargeHolcim recently acquired Firestone Building Products as the next move in its restructured building materials portfolio. The US$3.4bn purchase is considered an acquisition to help reduce the company's exposure to emerging markets while bolstering the finishing products arm of its business. Following the drive towards urban markets Leading building material companies have been on a restructuring pathway since the global financial crisis in 2008. The main directive of this trend for...

St Marys Cement Bowmanville plant is to install a new wet scrubber

07 April 2021, Published under Cement News

The commissioning of a new wet scrubber at St Marys Cement plant in Bowmanville is expected to result in a significant decrease in emissions. This is the first wet scrubber installed at a cement plant in Canada.     The water injection technology washes out and scrubs pollutants from the outlet airstream of the plant. St Marys Cement Plant Operations Manager, Jim Storey, stated: "This US$25m investment in technology to improve the plant's environmental performance has proven to be effe...

California Nevada Cement Association describes pathways to net zero carbon operation

06 April 2021, Published under Cement News

The California Nevada Cement Association (CNCA) envisions three major pathways for the industry to attain net zero carbon operation by 2045. The roadmap required reducing production process emissions, reducing combustion emissions through fuel switching and increasing distributed electricity generation.   "Releasing this industry-wide roadmap is an exciting and critical step toward carbon neutrality," says CNCA Executive Director, Tom Tietz. "However, we cannot get to net zero alone and t...

LafargeHolcim closes Firestone Building Products acquisition

01 April 2021, Published under Cement News

Holcim Participations (US) Inc (LafargeHolcim) has successfully completed the acquisition of Firestone Building Products, following all regulatory approvals.   Jan Jenisch, LafargeHolcim CEO said: “I warmly welcome the Firestone Building Products team into the LafargeHolcim family. Together, we will lead this iconic company’s next era of growth to become the global leader in flat roofing systems.     Taylor Cole, Firestone Building Products President, said: “Today opens an exciti...