In a new position statement on members’ material usage, production methods and embrace of circular economy principles, the Federation of the European Precast Concrete Industry (BIBM), Brussels, reinforces commitment to fostering a sustainable and low-carbon society. The BIBM Decarbonization Pledge represents “a concerted effort to minimize environmental impact across the entire lifespan of precast concrete products” and signatories’ quest “to…
Read MoreAuthor: Francesca Peeples
Tight tunnel tolerances
The Cross River Rail project in Australia aimed to alleviate congestion in Brisbane’s metro transport system and improve transportation for a growing population. Project principals faced numerous obstacles due to limited space: Construction sequencing on the confined, congested site was complex due to the need for precision, efficiency, and safety. Heavy/civil contractor Kenny Constructions was tasked with placing 59 precast…
Read MoreCemex decision narrows pathway for secret-ballot union elections
Sources: National Labor Relations Board; CP staff In a partial dissent to the majority behind the late-August Cemex Construction Materials Pacific LLC and International Brotherhood of Teamsters decision, National Labor Relations Board Member Marvin Kaplan assesses how his colleagues’ new union representation proceedings standard impacts bargaining unit secret-ballot elections. The new Cemex standard informing agency officials’ orders on union representation elections or rerun…
Read MoreOrganizations – August 2023
The PCI Foundation Board has appointed Ray Clark as successor to outgoing Executive Director Marty McIntyre, effective mid-September. He will arrive after tours as Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Georgia/Carolinas Chapter executive director and US Formliner president. Clark is tasked with strengthening connections between industry partners and educational institutions, while providing transformative experiences for higher education students across the country. The latter…
Read MoreCement, steel production emissions add up to EPA rounding errors
The Environmental Protection Agency’s new Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks cites 5.586 billion metric tons (mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions for 2021, a 6 percent increase over the prior year. The Inventory spans six economic sectors; the third largest, Industry, accounted for 24 percent, or 1.34 billion mt of CO2e in 2021. U.S. GREENHOUSE GAS…
Read MoreInvestors turbocharge CarbonCure concrete, CO2 management pursuits
Sources: CarbonCure Technologies, Halifax, Nova Scotia; CP staff A major investment by Blue Earth Capital of Switzerland, concurrent with a broader collaborative funding round north of $80 million, positions CarbonCure Technologies to accelerate a plant process and information technology roadmap driving carbon dioxide utilization and sequestration in concrete. The capital infusion was announced days after CarbonCure surpassed 750 CO2 metering and…
Read MoreNRMCA opens 2023 Environmental Excellence Awards call for entries
Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alexandria, Va. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association is accepting 2023 Commitment to Environmental Excellence Awards entries through July 21. The competition offers producers national recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment and maintaining sound management practice in their operations. It salutes operators that have not only met, but surpassed governmental compliance measures…
Read MoreRock the Block
Residential siding products from Georgia-based Nichiha USA, a premier manufacturer of fiber cement cladding, were an integral part of the winning house on the recently completed fourth season of “Rock the Block,” which airs on HGTV. Nichiha worked directly with Michel Smith Boyd, the victorious designer, donating products that would help him realize his vision for the project. Boyd and…
Read MoreSRM Cement Division adds 50,000-ton terminal close to home
Hollingshead Cement, a division of rapid growth Tennessee operator SRM Concrete, has secured cement supplies for ready mixed plants throughout its headquarters region with the opening of a 50,000-ton Nashville terminal. Located on a site along the Cumberland River, the facility is equipped for barge unloading and two-lane tanker transfer. “We are looking forward to servicing our own cement needs…
Read MoreLafarge Canada expands renewable diesel spec to prairie fleet
After a successful demonstration in British Columbia concrete operations, Lafarge Canada Inc. is extending to its Manitoba fleet the use of renewable diesel from waste oil and fats processor 4Refuel. The migration from petroleum diesel equates to lower carbon dioxide emissions tracked in material deliveries. “Switching to renewable diesel (R50) is a significant step forward in our sustainability journey,” says…
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