December 2004 / Year-End 2004

Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were 8.2 million metric tons in December 2004, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was a 7.6% increase compared with shipments for December 2003. Cumulative shipments for all of 2004 totaled about 117 million mt, a 6.5% increase compared with those of the same period in 2003.

Clinker production totaled 7.5 million mt in December 2004, a slight increase compared with 2003. Cumulative production through 2004 totaled 87.8 million mt, a 5.5% increase compared to 2003 figures.

Masonry cement shipments of 380,000 mt in December 2004, a 4.9% increase compared with shipments in December 2003. Cumulative shipments through 2004 were about 5.2 million mt, an 8.8% increase compared with the same period in 2003.