Agency confirms solid first quarter aggregate, cement consumption figures

Sources: U.S. Geological Survey; CP staff

The principal federal agency tracking sand & gravel, crushed stone and portland cement shipments reports double-digit gains for each material during the first quarter of 2016 as measured against prior year figures. The U.S. Geological Survey confirms these year-over-year 2016 Q1 trends: sand & gravel, 173 million metric tons (mt), +10 percent; crushed stone, 270 million mt, +21 percent; and, portland cement, +14 percent.

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LafargeHolcim eyes production homebuilders via wall system developer alliance

Sources: Lafarge North America, Chicago; CP staff

An agreement between LafargeHolcim and Phoenix-based HercuTech Inc. positions Lafarge North America, Holcim (US) and Aggregate Industries to market and support production of HercuTech, a plant-fabricated, high performance insulated concrete wall system suited to residential and light commercial applications.

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New ASTM standard informs sustainable manufacturing

Source: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.

ASTM Committee E60 on Sustainability has developed E3012, Guide for Characterizing Environmental Aspects of Manufacturing Process, to help businesses incorporate sustainable practices and transition into science-based modeling, decision-making and production.

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