The Americas

Cementos Argos has released its results for 2014, revealing growth in net profit, sales and operating profit.

On a like-for-like basis, the company performed well, but extraordinary expenses meant that EBITDA remained flat y/y.

The Portland Cement Association has expressed its support for stronger building codes following a fire at the Avalon at Edgewater complex in New Jersey last month, which displaced almost 1000 residents.

Cemex has announced the creation of a new energy division, Cemex Energia, which will develop a portfolio of power projects in Mexico.

McInnis Cement has announced that it is submitting its Port-Daniel-Gascons project to additional environmental conditions.

Increased number of exhibitors and participants at World of Concrete 2015, which took place in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Privately-owned housing unit starts increased by 18.7% y/y to 1.065 million in the first month of 2015.

The award recognises Barger’s overall outstanding contributions to the development of C01 standards.

The Cement Association of Canada has welcomed the government of British Columbia’s ‘efforts to improve the province’s carbon tax’.

The Portland Cement Association reports that asphalt prices have reached record highs during the last six months, despite declining oil prices.

McInnis Cement has reached an agreement with Centre Québécois du Droit de l’Environnement that sees the latter withdraw from legal action to begin a mediation process.

Cement production volumes in Peru increased by 3% y/y in January 2015, while domestic consumption grew 1.9% y/y in Argentina.

Peruvian cement producer Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. and its subsidiaries have released their results for full-year 2014.

On 5 February 2015, W. R. Grace & Co. announced that its Board of Directors had approved a plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies – New Grace and New GCP.

USA: producers mined approximately 4.34 million t of gypsum in 3Q14, up 5% q/q and up 57% y/y.