HOLNAM BEGINS EMISSIONS-AND ODOR-REDUCTION PROJECT Holnam Inc. has joined with Enviro-Chem Systems to design, construct, and install a scrubber/oxidizer at its cement plant in Dundee, Mich. The project seeks to eliminate odors, reduce sulfur, and minimize the visible non-steam plume from the plant's main stack. The installed equipment will also reduce emissions of sulfur and hydrocarbons from the main stack. The project is expected to cost Holnam more than $26 million.

BCI BUYS CHILEAN MORTAR PLANT In March 1999, Blue Circle Industries purchased Presec S.A., the largest dry mortar business in Chile, for $11.3 million, including debt.

CEMENT TOTALS--JULY 1999 Portland and blended cement shipments in the United States and Puerto Rico totaled nearly 10.1 million mt in July 1999. This was 1% less than revised shipment data for July 1998. The overall decline occurred despite modest increases in sales in the major consuming states of California, Florida, and Texas, and was the first such decrease since August 1997.

Cumulative shipments through July 1999 totaled 59.2 million mt, a 7% increase compared with those of the same period in 1998. Clinker production was 6.5 million mt in July, 2% less than production data for July 1998. Cumulative production through July 1999 totaled 43.3 million mt.

Masonry cement shipments of 392,358 mt in July were 5% more than revised data for July 1998. Cumulative shipments through July 1999 were slightly less than 2.5 million mt, a 10% increase compared with those of the same period in 1998.