You are here

Month: May 2017

Salt River Materials leverages Class C feed to boost Class F ash output

Concrete News

Sources: Salt River Materials Group, Scottsdale, Ariz.; CP staff

Responding to electric power generation market forces affecting cementitious materials availability across the concrete industry, Salt River Materials Group (SRMG) has begun shipping an ASTM C618-grade Class F fly ash from its 19th Avenue Terminal near downtown Phoenix. The material raises the company’s net Class F fly ash output and stems from new blending systems installed as part of an upgrade at the terminal—one of five SRMG powder distribution facilities serving Phoenix market ready mixed and precast concrete producers.

Read More

Contractor settles with feds in case of defective rebar, lax QC

Concrete News

Source: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); CP staff

DOJ recently announced an agreement whereby Energy & Process Corp. (E&P) will pay $4.6 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging the Tucker, Ga., contractor knowingly failed to perform required quality assurance procedures and supplied defective steel reinforcing bars in connection with a Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear waste treatment facility contract.

Read More

Building Material Plant Day participants measure global market’s mixed signals

Concrete News

Sources: German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Frankfurt

German manufacturers of concrete and other building material plants are expecting a broadly based boost this year, carrying momentum from a year-over-year spike most sectors saw at the end of 2016. “This should translate into sales growth over the next few months,” said Sebastian Popp, economic expert on machinery and equipment at Building Material Plants Day, an annual VDMA gathering in Frankfurt for companies serving concrete, dry mortar, aggregate, cement, lime and gypsum producers.

Read More

EPA promotes cooperation with states to advance coal ash management

Concrete News

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff

EPA is eyeing programs that allow flexibility in individual permits to manage the safe disposal of coal combustion residuals, known as CCR or “coal ash,” and expects that implementation guidance will allow for the safe disposal and continued beneficial use of the material, while enabling states to decide what works best for their environment.

Read More

Boral North America rises from Boral Ltd., Headwaters merger

Concrete News

Sources: Boral Ltd., Sydney; CP staff

Boral has consummated a $2.6 billion takeover of South Jordan, Utah-based Headwaters Inc., following clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The deal brings the suitor significant fly ash volume, owing to Headwaters’ leading position in coal combustion residuals processing and marketing; additional light building products offerings; and, a doubling of roofing and manufactured stone market stakes. In the latter product category, it unites the Cultured Stone and Eldorado Stone brands.

Read More

Oshkosh to mark centennial anniversary by ringing Wall Street’s top bell

Concrete News

Sources: Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis.; CP staff

Oshkosh executives will mark 100 years in business by ringing the New York Stock Exchange closing bell on May 4. Accentuating the day will be a staging of company equipment—from namesake front discharge mixers and McNeilus rear discharge mixers or refuse trucks to Pierce fire apparatus and JLG aerial work platforms—outside the NYSE in lower Manhattan.

Read More

McInnis terminal brings green mind set to Big Apple brownfield

Concrete News

Sources: McInnis Cement, Montreal; CP staff

Work is underway at the New York City terminal of McInnis Cement, whose eastern Quebec mill is nearing production and positioned to supply markets from the Mid-Atlantic to the Great Lakes. Remediated from its days as an illegal city dump, the south Bronx parcel along the East River is part of a network of terminals McInnis is siting for their access to efficient waterways and potential to minimize customers’ tanker truck miles. 

Read More

Road Builders drive another stake through Waters of U.S. rule

Concrete News

Sources: American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)

In comments submitted to the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee, ARTBA contends that the Environmental Protection Agency’s contentious “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule should be repealed as it is scientifically and legally flawed; threatens recent bipartisan achievements in reducing transportation project delays; and, is likely to be used as a litigation tool to delay projects, making construction more expensive.

Read More

Foundation end use determines state’s taxing of ready mixed and rebar

Concrete News

Missouri provides contrasting outcomes in application of sales tax on concrete for foundations. The Missouri Department of Revenue’s Letter Ruling 7780 concludes that a taxpayer’s purchase of ready mixed and rebar used to construct wind turbine tower foundations qualifies for the sales tax exemption covering machinery and equipment used in manufacturing. Production of electricity for sale has been determined to be a qualifying manufacturing activity, the ruling notes, and the sales tax exemption at issue, Section 144.030.2(6) RSMo, applies to machinery and equipment plus “materials and supplies solely required for installation or construction of such machinery and equipment.” Because the wind turbine cannot function properly without a foundation, the Department concluded the turbine tower foundation concrete and rebar purchase qualified for the sales tax exemption.

Read More