The Americas

According to reports, Cementos Argos SA has signed a contract to supply US$65 million in cement and other supplies to the Panama Canal expansion project.

IHS Global Insight has analysed the construction and manufacturing sectors in the US with a relatively positive outlook for the future

These figures from the USGS show a general decrease in production and consumption of crushed stone, sand and gravel.

The Latin American Center for Social Responsibility (known by its Spanish acronym CLARES) recently honored Cemex with their award in the private sector category for its work in advancing the most important social causes in Mexico.

Due to an increase in operation costs over recent months, Carribean Cement Company has announced a 3.2% increase in prices.

Three Cemex plants in the US have been awarded the 2010 ENERGY STAR® for their superior energy performance and the group has been awarded the Big Tick for responsible business practice.

Holcim (US) hosted the inaugural celebration of its newest plant in Ste Genevieve County, Missouri on 4 June.

Summit Materials has announced a majority investment in Continental Cement Company in Missouri, USA.

On 5 June, Essroc’s Martinsburg will be holding an open house following the dedication of its new US$ 500 million plant upgrade.

A look at how metakaolin’s concrete-improving benefits create a practical path to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Cemex has revealed that through a perpetuals bond swap, it will reduce its net debt by some US$ 440 million.

Reports indicate that between 1990 and 2008, industrials was the only sector of the US economy in which greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell.

Votorantim Cimentos has announced a plan to implement eight cement factories in seven states across Brazil. This brings its consolidated investment plans for the period 2007 – 13 to R$5 billion all told, calling for 22 new plants and some 7000 new jobs, direct and indirect.

Lafarge’s cement plant in Ontario, Canada, is implementing a scheme to plant multiple energy crops in a bid to reduce its carbon emissions.

Staten Island Terminal has been granted US$28 million funding for the construction of a cement import and distribution facility.