CRH, Holcim commit $75M to Sublime Systems, Microsoft collaborator

Sublime Systems, Somerville, Mass. developer of an electrochemical process netting ASTM C1157-grade binder at lower carbon dioxide emissions levels than portland cement, is teaming with CRH Plc and Holcim Ltd. to advance a premier Sublime Cement facility in Holyoke, Mass. The global cement, aggregate and concrete producers’ $75 million Sublime Systems investment anchors a requisite financial commitment to the facility,…

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White House credits concrete, cement brands augmenting Buy Clean Initiative

building under construction

Sources: White House Briefing Room; CP staff A mid-October White House update on Federal Buy Clean Initiative and companion Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Demonstration Program progress references Cemex USA, Clark Pacific, Heidelberg Materials North America, National Ready Mixed Concrete Co., Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete and Summit Materials. Each has committed to measures that advance carbon dioxide emissions reduction goals…

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AggNexus Conference shows the value of optimal data interpretation

The premier AggNexus Digital Innovation Conference drew upward of 100 representatives of independent or multinational concrete, cement, aggregate and asphalt producers, along with their software and hardware partners. Staged last month on the University of Texas, Austin campus, it demonstrated how the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence models, coupled with data capture or analytics methods, are transforming construction material producer…

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Concrete Pipe Week amplifies industry’s ‘Proven’ value propositions

Sources: American Concrete Pipe Association, Irving, Texas; CP staff The American Concrete Pipe Association will present one virtual plant tour and three webinars during Concrete Pipe Week 2024, September 22-28, while saluting governors and other public officials who formally recognize concrete drainage structures’ contributions to quality of life. “Proven,” the theme of this year’s event, frames the four presentations ACPA…

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Command Alkon steps up automation, AI capabilities in Marcotte Systems deal

Command Alkon has acquired Quebec-based Marcotte Systems, noting how the combined companies’ expertise and talents will accelerate heavy building materials plant automation and production optimization, plus cloud applications and artificial intelligence developments for concrete, aggregate, asphalt, cement, bulk hauling and construction interests. “This acquisition underscores our commitment to accelerating innovation and customer service excellence,” says Command Alkon CEO Martin Willoughby.…

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Inform AI-powered transport planning software drives fleet savings

Amid strong market conditions, cement, aggregate and concrete producers face logistics challenges ranging from unpredictable supply chain disruptions and driver shortages to new sustainability mandates for reducing carbon emissions in product transport and common variants. The latter include narrow delivery time windows, ad-hoc orders, and last minute cancellations. Then there is the matter of manual or spreadsheet-based planning processes, which…

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Instrumental Workhorse

The past decade’s top two mergers in North American cement, aggregate and concrete—Lafarge Group + Holcim Ltd. and HeidelbergCement AG + Italcementi S.p.A.—have spurred realignment of markets up the Atlantic Seaboard, across the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi. Of all the markets those deals and their asset divestitures impacted, none stands out quite like Toronto, where a case study…

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Holcim capitalizes on solar power for District of Columbia ready mixed plant

New solar panels at the Holcim US Fort Totten ready mixed plant will ease the Washington, D.C. industrial power load and advance the Chicago-based producer’s goal of running all concrete, cement and aggregate sites with renewable energy by 2030. The installation includes cementitious material silo rooftop and carport solar modules, combining to generate 1,300-1,500 MWh per year of green energy.…

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Chryso, GCP application lab supports Great Lakes, Midwest producers

Sources: GCP Applied Technologies, Alpharetta, Ga.; CP staff A new Chryso and GCP Applied Technologies application lab in Chicago focuses on aggregate, mortar or concrete testing, and serves as a dedicated technical center for Ductilcrete engineered slab systems. The facility is equipped and staffed to provide hands-on services so customers can see how their materials perform with Chryso or GCP…

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Labor Department rule broadens Form 300 data submission requirements

Under “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,” a final rule effective January 2024, the Labor Department requires certain employers to electronically submit injury and illness information to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Establishments with 100 or more employees in cement, concrete, construction and other industries deemed high-hazard based on reportable incident rates must relay Form 300-Log of Work-Related…

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