The Americas

World Cement’s Editor Katherine Guenioui looks back on another successful IEEE-IAS/PCA Cement Industry Technical Conference.

US production levels for construction materials including cement decreased substantially in 1Q14 compared with 4Q13 due to seasonal fluctuations that were influenced by weather conditions.

The cartel case that has been ongoing for several years has been concluded, with Brazil’s antitrust authority, Cade, issuing US$1.4 billion in fines.

DuPont Sustainable Solutions will draw on its own experience to provide operation excellent solutions to companies in a wide variety of industries.

Additives company Mapei Americas has acquired General Resource Technology, Inc., expanding its reach in the Concrete Systems sector.

Cemex’s latest Sustainable Development Report reveals the company’s progress in meeting its sustainability goals, as it strives to meet the challenges thrown up by urbanisation.

Lehigh Inland Cement Company is planning a new flyash terminal; Lafarge Brookfield has begun a pilot project making use of frack wastewater; speculation has begun over Lafarge-Holcim divestments.

Lafarge plans to sell its Ecuadorian cement operations to Peru’s Unión Andina de Cementos S.A.A for an enterprise value of US$553 million.

Total shipments of Portland and blended cement in the US and Puerto Rico stood at 6.1 million t in March 2014, representing an increase of 6% y/y, according to data released by USGS.

The latest cement statistics from Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela’s Cemento Andino.

Austin, TX-based Syonic Corporation has secured an additional US$12.5 million in funding.

The US Patents Office has awarded two new patents to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, related to Solidia Concrete.

Following the announcement last week that Fernando Gonzalez was appointed as Cemex’s new CEO, the Mexican cement giant has announced changes to its corporate staff functions.

Votorantim’s 1Q14 results show the continued strong performance of the cement industry in Brazil.

Part 2 of the article from Antti Heikkilä, Gasmet Technologies explains how continuous mercury monitoring provides operators with an opportunity to improve environmental performance and demonstrate compliance.