Roanoke Cement terminal to reach 100K tons with $37M expansion

Titan America projects a 2023 completion of a new 70,000-ton dome, plus truck and rail loadout infrastructure, at its Roanoke Cement Co. import terminal in Chesapeake, Va. With triple the present bulk storage capacity, the overhauled operation will be equipped to import and distribute fly ash, slag, and aggregates that are in demand throughout the Mid-Atlantic market. The Virginia investment mirrors construction under way at Titan America’s Tampa, Fla. import terminal.

“The major expansion and modernization of these two marine terminals is another important step toward meeting fast-growing demand for our products and services in critical infrastructure, commercial, and residential projects,” says Titan America CEO Bill Zarkalis. “These projects, along with our continued investments in low-carbon cement production capacity expansion and end-to-end digitalization of our plants, signify our commitment to meet evolving societal and consumer expectations.”

Trends in markets from Washington, D.C. to South Carolina—climate change resilience measures, population growth supported by new and rebuilt infrastructure, and substantial investments in defense and digital technologies—equate to positive indicators for Roanoke Cement and namesake operations. “The timing of our investments is well-aligned to support these major economic drivers and enables us to further demonstrate our commitment to being the preferred supplier for sustainable growth through lower carbon products,” affirms Titan America Mid-Atlantic Business Unit President Kevin Baird.

Over the past five years, he adds, the company has been steadily modernizing and expanding its distribution and storage infrastructure to create an unparalleled, integrated logistics network suiting ship, truck or rail traffic. In conjunction with converting to a multi-product storage and loadout facility, the Chesapeake work will more than triple the amount of rail running through the terminal and afford multiple truck and rail loadouts.


NUCOR CONFIRMS PLANS FOR 430K-TON REBAR MILL ON CAROLINA HOME TURF

Nucor Corp. has announced a Lexington, N.C. site for a $350 million concrete rebar mill, construction of which received board approval earlier this year. With a 2024-25 projected start up and 430,000 tons’ annual capacity, the operation will become the company’s third micro rebar mill, alongside recently completed Missouri and Florida facilities. Micro mill scale and engineering afford energy savings and improved rebar output efficiencies when measured against larger, legacy steel bar operations. 

“We are excited to grow our business here in our home state of North Carolina. The corridor between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing regions in our nation, and new federal spending for infrastructure will further increase demand for rebar,” says Nucor CEO Leon Topalian. “Nucor Steel Lexington will produce rebar with nearly 100 percent recycled content, which means our new, modern infrastructure will be made with the most sustainable steel available anywhere in the world.”

Nucor’s 15 U.S. steel bar operations, including the Missouri and Florida rebar micro mills, have approximately 9.5 million tons of annual capacity for construction and other industries.