Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were about 8.4 million mt in December 2005, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was slightly higher compared with shipments for December 2004. Cumulative shipments for 2005 overall were 124 million mt, up 5.6% from the 2004 total.

Clinker production totaled 7.9 million mt in December 2005, a 4.6% increase compared with 2004. Cumulative production through December 2005 was about 88.6 million mt, up slightly from 2004 totals.

Masonry cement shipments were 390,000 mt in December 2005, a 4.0% increase compared with shipments in December 2004. Year-end cumulative shipments were about 5.5 million mt, up 6.4%.

DECEMBER 2005