The Americas

Cemex’s Latin American arm reports positive trends in the region’s cement industry backed by infrastructure and residential construction.

Cimpor has announced the merger of InterCement Brasil and Cimpor Brasil.

CarbonCure has expanded its R&D facilities and brought in a cement industry expert to progress its carbon sequestration business.

McLanahan Corporation has announced the acquisition of Eagle Iron Works, a US-based company providing a line of washing and beneficiating equipment.

Brazil’s Votorantim Cimentos is set to open a 1.2 million tpa plant in Mato Grosso.

A PCA forecast has predicted strong growth in cement demand due to a number of positive factors.

Lafarge’s Chairman and CEO has stated plans to invest R$1 billion in the country over the next five years, following a meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Edward Sulivan will assume the role, in addition to his existing responsibilities.

The company has developed a methodology to standardise water measurement and management across all of the company’s operations.

Rick Bohan and Andy O’Hare, Portland Cement Association, USA, discuss the amendments made to the standard’s rules for compliance over the last year. This is an abridged version of the full article, which appeared in the January 2013 issue of World Cement. Subscribers can view the full article by logging in.

Following price increases elsewhere in the Caribbean, Trinidad Cement Limited has initiated a 9.5% price rise for its bagged cement.

Lafarge has signed binding agreements to sell six aggregates quarries in Georgia, USA, valued at US$160 million.

Lafarge and Elementia are to form a joint venture, combining three cement plants in Mexico.

The Jamaican company’s price alterations will cover financial commitments.

Though a deal has been reached regarding the ‘fiscal cliff’, there is more congressional debate to come regarding the debt ceiling.