Slag cement shipments in 2003 exceeded 3 million metric tons, a 5.4% increase over 2002 shipments, according to the Slag Cement Association (SCA). The figures represent slag cement shipped as a separate product (conforming to ASTM C989) and as a component of blended cement (conforming to ASTM C595). The increase is in contrast to shipment of portland cement, which, according to the Portland Cement Association, increased 3.7% in 2003.

Slag cement use has nearly tripled since 1996, growing faster than any other product in the cementitious materials industry at an average rate of 16% per year.

Jan Pruskinski, executive director of SCA, attributes the material's continued growth to increased availability across the country, as well as stepped-up efforts for the association to educate the construction industry on the product's benefits. In recent years, several signature projects on the East Coast have depended on slag cement for attaining credits toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, including the ground-breaking Helena residential high-rise in Manhattan.

In other SCA news, the organization elected new officers in early 2004. Francois Perrin, director of strategic planning and business development for Essroc Cement Corp., is president of the association; Marty Fallon, vice president of sales and marketing — Great Lakes region for St. Marys Cement Inc., is vice president; and Robert Pugh, manager, slag products North America for Lehigh Cement Co., is secretary/treasurer of SCA.

Also, SCA recently relaunched its web site, offering many new resources for the construction community at www.slagcement.org. Among the new offerings will be articles profiling projects using slag cement in a variety of markets, including high-rise buildings, residential construction, commercial structures, educational facilities, and paving. Profiles of at least two new projects will be added each month, and visitors who wish to submit their projects for cataloging may do so.