Reports indicate that St Marys Cement is planning to reopen its Dixon plant in northern Illinois. The plant was closed in December 2008 in the midst of the economic crisis, but remained operational as a distribution terminal. Now that demand has increased, the plant is reportedly hoping to reopen this spring, once fully staffed.
About 90 jobs were lost when the plant shut down, and 60 will be created with the reopening. A staff of maintenance workers has reportedly been preparing the plant for reopening. The plant had previously been fined by the EPA for violations of the Clean Air Act, but has said it will have all required environmental permits in place when it reopens.
Data from the Brazilian construction industry association states that 91% of all cement commercialised in Brazil in 2013 has some additive to supplement the clinker content.
St Marys Cement is reportedly considering its options in the Great Lakes region, planning for either an expansion of capacity in Charlevoix or resuming operations at its Dixon plant.