The Voice Newsletter January 2024
Michael “Mike” Ireland, President & CEO, Portland Cement Association
Hello American Society of Concrete Contractors!
It’s tough being in the national spotlight, isn’t it? But we must get used to it, because in 2024, Americans will notice more orange cones and construction projects sprouting up in their hometowns by way of the federal infrastructure law. An uptick in commercial construction demand has also been forecasted.
The cement and concrete industries, working with concrete contractors, have historically collaborated to provide the strength, resilience and reliability needed in concrete construction. We checked those boxes long ago. But at this unique time in our nation’s history, a more environmentally aware America is counting on us to check a new box that has emerged; the one marked “sustainability.”
To make significant strides on the sustainability front, consistent, transparent communications among our industry professionals isn’t only necessary—it’s everything.
This is why we appreciated reading ASCC’s recent Alerts about the challenges some contractors have reported using portland-limestone cement (PLC, or Type IL cement). PCA is completely aligned with ASCC in the belief that products used in concrete construction must meet the highest standards for consumer use. We can achieve that through trial batching, mock-ups, and education including the regular sharing of updated information, such as ASCC’s notices.
Working with ASCC and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), PCA is committed to seeing these communications efforts through, as PLC—when used properly is just as durable, strong, and resilient as portland cement—but with the added benefit of a smaller carbon footprint.
PLC and other blended cements are the future of the cement industry. Last year, Type IL portland-limestone cement became the most common hydraulic cement in the nation for general concrete construction. Data from the United States Geological Survey showed that by June 2023, the market share for blended cements was 54.5%, and PLC’s share of blended cement was 95%, marking the first time PLC represented more than 51% (95% of 54.5%) of the portland and blended cement market in the U.S.
In other words, PLC is becoming the new norm in American concrete construction. Forty-six State Departments of Transportation have now approved its use. And in 2022, Congress passed groundbreaking legislation that includes millions of dollars in environmental provisions that specifically call for the use of lower- carbon cements in government construction.
The numbers tell the story. PLC contributes about 10% fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional portland cement. The U.S. avoided more than 1.8-million metric tons of CO2 in 2022 using PLC and other blended cements.
PLC will help accelerate our industries toward carbon neutrality. It’s here to stay, and for it to perform at its best, our industries need to prioritize communicating about it. Preconstruction conversations are one important way to do this. Contractors should make their requests and relay their expectations on concrete performance at the mix-design phase. Close communications with their ready-mix providers are also essential.
Meantime, PCA is working with ASCC and NRMCA to provide educational resources. Of note, PCA and ASCC are co-hosting an Industry panel session at World of Concrete 2024: Best Practices in Pre-Construction for Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC) Projects (PLCWE). The session is scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, from 2 to 4 p.m., and will include steps that should be taken in the preconstruction phase when using PLC (Type IL). The session will also highlight projects using Type IL cement during a panel discussion with cement suppliers, ready-mix producers, and concrete contractors, which will be moderated by ASCC and PCA staff.
We’re excited to collaborate with ASCC to discuss this important topic of PLC best practices at the concrete industry’s biggest annual platform – WOC 2024. More information on the session can be found here, and Session ID number is PLCWE for reference. You must first be registered to attend WOC, and then you can add the education program to your registration. We hope you’ll attend the session and participate in this important conversation!
Americans rely on us. They have profound trust in the built environment we’ve helped provide. As I’ve previously mentioned, when it comes to strength and resilience … our industries checked those boxes long ago. Let’s keep working together, and communicating more effectively, to realize the full potential of greener products like PLC, as they will allow us to check the sustainability box once and for all.
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About the Portland Cement Association
The Portland Cement Association (PCA), founded in 1916, is the premier policy, research, education, and market intelligence organization serving America’s cement manufacturers. PCA supports sustainability, innovation, and safety while fostering continuous improvement in cement manufacturing, distribution, infrastructure, and economic growth. For more information, visit www.cement.org.