Tight Cement Supplies in 23 States, Survey Reports

 

A May 2005 survey of cement suppliers by the Portland Cement Association (PCA) released on June 5, 2005, finds 23 states reporting tight supplies of cement, mostly in large metropolitan areas. The PCA 2004 fall survey reported 35 states with tight supplies.

PCA reports that cement consumption in the U.S. rose to a record high 119.9 million metric tons in 2004, an increase of 6.8 percent over 2003. Through the first quarter of 2005, U.S. cement consumption has increased 7% over the 2004 levels.

PCA says U.S. cement plants are operating at maximum levels. To meet demand last year, cement producers withdrew four million tons from inventory. Imported cement increased 22.7% in 2004. PCA expects imported cement to account for about a quarter of U.S. consumption in 2005 through 2007.