The Americas

The CAC congratulates the Ontario government for proposing new regulations to help energy-intensive industries utilise low-carbon fuels.

This year, nine conservation projects at Lafarge North America sites across the US were certified or recertified by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC).

In September 2014, total shipments of Portland and blended cement in the US and Puerto Rico were 9 million t, up by nearly 14% from the level recorded in September 2013.

A round-up of some of this week’s key news stories from the international cement industry, from conservation to plant revamps.

Cemex has partnered with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to release the latest edition of its Cemex Nature Series ‘The IUCN Red List: 50 Years of Conservation’.

Four of Lehigh Hanson’s cement plants have earned the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® certification for 2014, registering in the top 25% of cement plants nationwide for energy efficiency.

According to the AFCP, its member companies dispatched around 1.01 million t of cement (including exports) in November 2014, down 9.3% m/m.

Charah®, Inc., has entered into a long-term agreement with Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company to sell and market flyash from three of its facilities.

Reuters is reporting that the merger between the two cement giants is likely to be approved in the EU, though further divestments may be necessary.

The Portland Cement Association has provided its winter forecast, which maintains the growth figures for 2014, despite weaker than expected housing starts.

Port of Call Online, Inc. is to purchase the Snow White Pozzolan Mine in San Bernadino, California, from US Mine Corp.

Michael Haack has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer at Eagle Materials, reporting to Steve Rowley.

According to DANE, dispatches of grey cement on Colombia’s domestic market reached around 1.09 million t in October and 9.95 million t in the first ten months of the year.

The Mexican cement giant has announced plans to restart the expansion project, which will bring cement capacity to 7.6 million tpa by 2017.

Holcim Ecuador is modernising its Guayaquil plant with the help of a loan from Corporación Andina de Fomento.