Paying attention to the carbon footprint behind the wood curtain

“Determining the Carbon Footprint of Wood” (PCA R&D 3287) is a valuable work based on Portland Cement Association-sponsored research. The timely report tracks trees and forests’ carbon dioxide-sequestering capacity, one of the value propositions wood building product interests channel to green-building practitioners; paints rationale for the wood industry to document carbon accounting methods transparently, especially when product is not sourced from a sustainably managed forest; and, helps cast-in-place concrete, precast and masonry construction practitioners respond to competitors’ claims of environmental mettle.

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ORGANIZATIONS – JULY 2016

dan Eckenrode

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has enlisted Portland Cement Association CEO Jim Toscas to join its Committee of 100, along with counterparts representing the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Generic Pharmaceutical Association, Internet Association and Toy Industry Association. “The opportunity to share ideas, good practices, and perspectives in regard to governance, operations and overall value delivery, as well as partake of the excellent information and educational content of this program, is of tremendous value,” notes Toscas.

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Residential, commercial work drive cement shipment gains

Portland Cement Association’s new “Survey of Portland Cement Consumption by User Group” underscores mixed year-over-year results among 16 U.S. market or product segments: Nine recorded growth, seven saw reduced volume in 2015 versus the prior year. Those gaining at least 20 percent were, in descending order, waste stabilization & solidification; fiber cement siding; concrete roof tile; soil cement, roller compacted concrete or full-depth reclamation/pavements; precast/prestressed concrete; and, soil cement or roller compacted concrete/water resources structures.

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Fiber cement, roof tile, prestressed lead concrete products in 2015 market gains

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.; CP staff

PCA’s new “Survey of Portland Cement Consumption by User Group” underscores mixed year-over-year results among 16 U.S. market or product segments: Nine recorded growth, seven saw reduced volume in 2015 versus the prior year. Those gaining at least 20 percent were, in descending order, waste stabilization & solidification; fiber cement siding; concrete roof tile; soil cement, roller compacted concrete or full-depth reclamation/pavements; precast/prestressed concrete; and, soil cement or roller compacted concrete/water resources structures.

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ORGANIZATIONS – APRIL 2016

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The Concrete Industry Management Program’s National Steering Committee grossed more than $925,000 at its annual auction, held in conjunction with the World of Concrete 2016. “[It] surpassed our highest gross proceeds total ever,” affirms Auction Committee Chairman Mike Philipps (Cemex USA). “We had a record in terms of the value of donated items and attendees that helped make this year’s event a tremendous success.”

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Natural disaster-seasoned governor measures building, human resilience

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In a resilience-themed keynote address at the Portland Cement Association Spring Congress, two-term (2004–2012) Mississippi Governor and past (1993–1997) Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour assured his audience, “In my state, there is a whole lot more concrete being used today than there was before Hurricane Katrina.”

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Natural disaster-wise governor measures building, human resilience

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Sources: CP staff; Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.

In a resilience-themed keynote address at the PCA Spring Congress, two-term Mississippi Governor and past Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour assured his audience, “In my state, there is a whole lot more concrete being used today than there was before Hurricane Katrina.”

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PCA’s Sullivan: Oil price variables hamper firm cement consumption outlook

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At a World of Concrete 2016 briefing, Portland Cement Association Chief Economist Ed Sullivan offered critical energy and housing market footnotes to his latest U.S. cement consumption forecast. Released in November, it projects year-over-year gains of 5 percent, at best, in 2016, and 5.7 percent for 2017. At those levels, U.S. portland and masonry cement shipments will climb from 92 million metric tons (mt) in 2015 to 96.4 million mt and 102 million mt this year and next.

 
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