CEMENT
minerals.usgs.gov
(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)
Domestic Production and Use: In 2005, almost 93 million tons of portland cement and about 5 million tons of masonry cement were produced at 113 plants in 37 States; cement was also produced at 2 plants in Puerto Rico. Sales prices increased significantly during the year. The value of cement production, excluding Puerto Rico, was about $8 billion, and the value of total sales (including imported cement) was about $10 billion. Most of the cement was used to make concrete, worth at least $48 billion. Imported cement and clinker (to make cement) accounted for about 25% of the cement sold; total imports rose significantly, owing to very high demand coupled with production shortfalls. Clinker, the main intermediate product in cement manufacture, was produced at 107 plants, with a combined apparent annual capacity of about 103 million tons. Including several facilities that only ground clinker produced elsewhere, total finished cement (grinding) capacity was about 115 million tons. Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Michigan, and Alabama, in descending order, were the six leading producing States and accounted for about one-half of U.S. production. About 75% of cement sales went to ready-mixed concrete producers, 14% to concrete product manufacturers, 6% to contractors (mainly road paving), 3% to building materials
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Events, Trends, and Issues: The devastating hurricanes that hit the Gulf States in August, September, and October were ultimately expected to lead to large local increases in cement consumption, but served to constrain demand and cement deliveries in the fourth quarter. Absent these events, overall cement consumption for 2005 would likely have been 4 million to 5 million tons higher, mostly from imports. Elsewhere in the country, consumption was expected to remain at record-high levels, spurred by continued low interest rates and increased public sector (transportation infrastructure) spending resulting from the signing of the $286.5 billion SAFETEA bill. Imports were more readily available in 2005, owing to better ship availability and easing of shipping costs. Shortages of cement continued to be widely reported, and these fueled petitions to eliminate or reduce antidumping duties on imported Mexican cement; imports of cement from Mexico in 2005 were almost double those in 2004, despite the duties.
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