Dispatches of Portland cement, including exports, came in at just over 929 200 t in Argentina in May 2014. This figure is 2.6% higher than cement dispatches in April 2014. However, it remains 8.5% lower than in May 2013.
In other news, construction costs were up 1.9% y/y in the Greater Buenos Aires area in May. According to statistics from INDEC, construction materials, labour and general costs increased by 2%, 2.1% and 0.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, the cost of housing construction grew by 1.1% y/y in May and by 17% in January – May 2014.
Cemex Mexico has received awards under the Greenhouse Gas Effect Programme for its coprocessing system and the reduction and management of GHG emissions.
US construction spending figure for April is higher than March 2014 and April 2013 estimates, with private and public construction spending reaching US$686.5 billion and US$267 billion, respectively.