Feb. 16, 2017, WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. cement manufacturers have ample production capacity to meet increased demand from infrastructure revitalization efforts being contemplated by the Trump Administration and Congress, an analysis from the Portland Cement Association (PCA) concluded.
Taking into account specific proposed infrastructure projects and known economic drivers – including projects aimed at restoring the nation’s highways, waterways, pipelines, runways and even a potential border wall – PCA determined that the U.S. cement industry would have more than enough capacity to meet even the most challenging infrastructure revitalization program.
“America’s infrastructure is built with cement and concrete because it has to be safe, resilient and long lasting,” said PCA President and CEO James G. Toscas. “Revitalizing it will require more cement and concrete – and America can be confident that our cement industry is ready to meet the challenge."
The U.S. cement industry is currently operating at roughly 79 percent of capacity, estimated at 108 million metric tons per year. Besides domestic cement plants, the industry also operates shipping terminals for importing and exporting cement. Including imports, PCA estimates the U.S. cement industry is capable of supplying over 150 million metric tons of cement each year.
“Cement companies have made significant investments to increase capacity, productivity, and energy efficiency,” Toscas said. “Those investments and innovations will pay off as the industry is called upon to support the infrastructure revival our country so desperately needs.”
According to PCA, U.S. cement plants added 1.3 million metric tons of capacity in 2016 alone. U.S. cement producers have announced plant expansion plans that could result in an additional 1.6 million metric tons of capacity by 2018.
Activities related to cement and concrete production in the U.S. employ nearly 535,000 workers, with a total annual payroll of approximately $25 billion. Of this, cement manufacturing represents over 14,300 workers with an annual payroll of about $1 billion.
The U.S. cement industry has facilities in every state in the continental U.S., including over 90 manufacturing plants with annual shipments valued at approximately $9 billion. PCA members account for 93 percent of all U.S. cement production capacity.
In addition to production capacity analysis, PCA also forecasts cement consumption, with data and analysis for various cement markets including buildings and infrastructure. PCA's 2017 U.S. Cement Consumption Forecast is scheduled for release soon. For more information, visit www.cement.org.
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For more information: Holly Arthur, harthur@cement.org 202-719-1979.
About PCA: The Portland Cement Association (PCA), founded in 1916, is the premier policy, research, education, and market intelligence organization serving America’s cement manufacturers. The association promotes safety, sustainability, and innovation in all aspects of construction, fosters continuous improvement in cement manufacturing and distribution, and generally promotes economic growth and sound infrastructure investment. For more information, visit www.cement.org.