Slag cement producers log fifth consecutive year of double-digit shipment gains

Sources: Slag Cement Association, Farmington Hills, Mich., Slag cement shipments in the U.S. climbed 11.7 percent in 2020 versus prior-year volume, sustaining a streak of year-over-year, double-digit percentage growth dating to 2016. The Slag Cement Association attributes the trend in part to the binder’s benefits in plastic and cured concrete, including better workability and finishability; thermal stress reduction; higher compressive…

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Slag cement shipments climb at double-digit pace in 2018

Sources: Slag Cement Association, Farmington Hills, Mich.; CP staff

Slag Cement Association members report an 11 percent year-over-year increase in 2018 shipments, to 3.45 million metric tons. “Those of us in the concrete industry have long known that the use of slag cement increases the strength and durability of concrete at a reduced environmental impact,” notes SCA President Ed Griffith. Last year’s slag cement volume, up from 3.11 million mt in 2017, he adds, “represents the strength of our economy and increased understanding of the benefits of slag cement in the design, specification, and construction communities.”

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NPCA projects 6 percent growth in 2014 precast shipments

Source: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.

Based on data from its recently released Precast Industry Benchmarking Report and leading forecasters, NPCA projects U.S. producers’ shipments increasing this year to $16.8 billion from $15.9 billion in 2013, the 6 percent gain modest against higher overall construction growth in 2014.

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Ground limestone-bearing cement nears 50 percent of British Columbia shipments

Sources: Cement Association of Canada (CAC), Ottawa; CP staff

Two years after its launch across Canada, an industry-branded portland cement with up to 15 percent ground limestone content—promoted for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent against conventionally milled powder—has gained significant traction among concrete producers and their customers.

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NPCA report tracks minor gain in 2012 precast shipments, better 2013 prospects

Sources: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.; CP staff

After several years of stagnation, the precast concrete industry is turning the corner in recovery from the Great Recession, with NPCA’s 2013 Benchmarking Report indicating 2 percent higher volume in 2012 over the prior year—coupled with a near-doubling of profit margins, from 2.5 percent to 4.9 percent.

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ASTM raises bar to generous threshold for C595’s ground limestone content

Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association; CP staff

In a move that will provide the opportunity for the cement and concrete industries to reduce products’ carbon footprint, a proposal was approved to permit up to 15 percent ground limestone in blended cements under ASTM C595 (Blended Hydraulic Cements), with the resulting product characterized as limestone blended cements. Similar revisions are being made to the equivalent AASHTO standard by the AASHTO Subcommittee on Materials. Under C595, there was previously no specifically stated limit on ground limestone content.

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