Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were about 10.2 million mt in March 2006, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was an 6.6% increase compared with shipments for March 2005. Year-to-date shipments totalled about 26.9 million mt, up 14.4% from the previous year.

Clinker production totaled 7.3 million mt in March 2006, a 3.8% increase compared with 2005. Year-to-date clinker production was about 20.6 million mt, up 7.0%.

Masonry cement shipments were 510,000 mt in March 2006, a 12.3% increase compared with shipments in March 2005. Total shipments for the year were about 1.3 million mt, up 16.2%.

March 2006