In 2006, the amount of energy required to produce one ton of cement decreased 1.1%, continuing the industry's significant gains in energy efficiency during the last three decades. This is the conclusion of the Portland Cement Association's annual survey of energy use at U.S. and Canadian cement plants. In 2006, the amount of energy required to produce one ton of cement averaged 4.649 million Btu/ton.

The U.S. cement industry has adopted a voluntary target of increasing energy efficiency 20% from a 1990 baseline by 2020. According to this most recent report, it is more than halfway there, with a 12% improvement from 1990 levels. Since 1972, overall industry energy efficiency has increased by more than 37%.

PCA credits advancements in process technology, conservation measures, and greater use of alternative fuels for the steady gains. In 2006, six cement plants were among the 17 U.S. manufacturing plants honored with the first-ever Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star awards. The plants were recognized for their superior energy efficiency performance, which is a key component of the cement industry's voluntary climate change efforts. In addition to energy efficiency, the industry is working toward a number of voluntary environmental targets:

• To reducing CO2 emissions 10% (from a 1990 baseline) per ton of cementitious product produced or sold by 2020.

• A 60% reduction (from a 1990 baseline) in the amount of cement kiln dust (CKD) disposed per ton of clinker produced by 2020.

• At least 40% of U.S. cement plants will have implemented an auditable and verifiable Environmental Management System (EMS) by the end of 2006, 75% by the end of 2010, and 90% by the end of 2020.

LAFARGE OFFERS GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTING CONCRETE FAILURES

Drawing on real-world cases from the company's technical field operations, Lafarge NA recently spoke with industry professionals at the 51st Annual CSI Convention in Baltimore about strategies for preventing concrete failures in a variety of construction settings.

The CSI Convention and CSI University is an event held each year by the Construction Specifications Institute, a national association whose members include specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers. “With more than 5,300 attendees at this year's conference, the concurrent educational sessions offered an excellent opportunity to share our experience and expertise with industry professionals looking to improve their technical knowledge of cement and concrete performance,” said Greg Daderko, blends product manager at Lafarge.

During his presentation, Daderko talked about key issues affecting concrete failures, including materials, environmental considerations, and construction practices. He covered corrosion-related failures, alkali-silica reactions, strength issues, and cosmetics and finishing defects. Special consideration was given to the specifier's role in material selection, the use of performance vs. prescriptive specifications, and the role of construction crews. Daderko also discussed specific “red flag” conditions and situations that may indicate potential problems.

The presentation wrapped up with a review of what can be done to remediate failures — especially in the early stages of a project, where early intervention can allow successful completion of a project on time and under budget.

IEEE WEST COAST EVENT SET FOR SAN ANTONIO

The IEEE West Coast Cement Industry and Plant Tour is scheduled for September 20-21 at the Sheraton Gunther Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. This year's attendees will be able to tour Capitol Cement operation on Friday, Sept. 21.

Papers at this year's even cover such topics as economics impacting the industry; kiln feed's impact on clinker production; pyroprocessing systems; kiln control and operation; calciner control and operation; cooler operation and optimization; CO2 Reduction; energy management; safety experiences at Mitsubishi Cement; arc flash hazards; maintenance experiences with a vertical finish mill; and NOx Control.

More information on the conference can be found at www.ieeepcaconference.org/west

CEMENT TOTALS

Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were about 11.1 million mt in May 2007, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was 6.0% lower compared with shipments for May 2006. Shipments year-to-date totaled about 43.4 million mt, down by 11.9% compared with those of the same period in 2006.

Clinker production totaled 8.1 million mt in May 2007, a 5.2% decrease compared with 2006. Cumulative shipments for 2007 through May was 34.8 million mt, down 2.0% from 2006.

Masonry cement shipments were about 440,000 mt in May 2007 were 13.2% lower compared with shipments in May 2006. Year-to-date shipments were 1.85 million mt, down 19.5% from the same period in 2006.

MAY 2007