With US demand growth rates picking up recent predictions for a double-digit rise in consumption in 2015 and 2016, operators equipped with efficient high-capacity unloaders, such as Houston Cement Company, are well-placed to handle the increased throughput. By Cargotec (Siwertell brand), Sweden.

The PCA’s Spring Forecast on US cement demand, published in April 2014, maintains that a 7.9 per cent increase in consumption for 2014 is still expected, almost double the 4.5 per cent increase recorded in 2013. Looking further ahead, the association predicts double-digit growth of around 10 per cent in both 2015 and 2016. The PCA’s cement volume forecast remains essentially unchanged since its autumn predictions despite economic indicators pointing to a tempering of the US economy. It cites the unusually adverse weather conditions across the US during 4Q13 and 1Q14 as the principal cause for the recent economic weakness.

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