News Archive

Interesting article found on C and D recycler.

If mill buyers thought they were dealing with high prices in the first quarter of 2008, the second quarter started out by making those prices seem like “the good old days” of sub-$500 scrap.

 

Buyers on the April spot market ran into per ton price increases of from $150 to $170 per ton, depending on the grade and region. Regional aggregated spot market prices compiled by Management Science Associates (MSA), Pittsburgh, through its Raw Material Data Aggregation Service (RMDAS), show mills paid in a range of from $576 to $599 per ton for the new production scrap used to define the RMDAS Prompt Industrial Composite grade.

 

While #1 Heavy Melting Steel (HMS) and Shredded Scrap traded in a lower range, pricing for those grades also moved up by $150 to $160 per ton in April compared to March.

 

Regionally, buyers in the North Midwest region faced the highest prices, with mills paying an average of $599 per ton for prompt industrial grades and $514 per ton for #1 HMS. Buyers in other regions may have paid a few dollars per ton less, but nonetheless faced record pricing that moved in a huge leap beyond what was being paid 30 days previously.

 

The scope of the bull market was the topic of a session at the ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc.) 2008 Annual Convention in early April. At the event’s Ferrous Commodity Spotlight session, speakers from across the steel and ferrous scrap spectrum offered their insight into factors shaping the current market.

 

Steel industry analyst Aldo Mazzaferro of Goldman, Sachs & Co., New York, remarked that even with the economic slowdown, “U.S. steelmaking is short of capacity” to serve the domestic market, which is why steelmakers are charging $1,000 per ton for hot-band and $850 per ton for rebar.

 

American steelmakers are producing at about 90 to 92 percent of capacity, so “there’s really not much else to squeeze out of U.S. mills,” according to Mazzaferro. Additionally, the weak dollar is not making the U.S. a preferred market for imported steel, meaning “essentially there is a bidding war for imported steel.”

 

John Harris, a metallics buyer for ArcelorMittal based at one of its Canadian locations, remarked that scrap dealers in the United States are benefiting from the weak dollar. “No steel is coming in here [and] scrap is leaving at a faster rate because it’s a good buy anywhere in the world.”

 

And while the booming economies of China and India are well known for their steel and scrap consumption, Harris also noted that the Middle East is playing a role. Oil-based economies there have “$1 trillion of infrastructure projects on the books for the next 10 years, and it’s all paid for. Guess what that does for [steel and scrap] demand?” Harris asked attendees.

 

Harris predicted that the global steel industry will continue to enjoy strong pricing for at least the next two quarters.

 

He was not as certain that ferrous scrap is in an overall shortage situation, remarking that a “Russian reservoir” built up during 50 years of large-scale Soviet steelmaking and virtually no exporting means there is still scrap to be obtained. Recyclers there are just now starting to tap into this reservoir, according to Harris. “The system there is finally getting ‘greased’ to do [scrap] collection. They’re blowing and going over there.”

 

Long-time shredding equipment supplier Alton Scott Newell Jr. of The Shredder Co. LLC, Canutillo, Texas, offered a prediction that the world will remain “materials short” for some time, meaning recyclers will continue to experience healthy demand for their products.

 

While steel industry consolidation is taking hold, Newell is less certain that the scrap industry can consolidate in the same way. If steelmakers are buying scrap assets with the premise that they will be able to obtain scrap at a lower cost, he warned them that this “doesn’t work.” He remarked that new competitors come into the recycling and shredding industry much more readily, as there is a lower barrier to entry compared to steelmaking.

 

The Raw Material Data Aggregation Service (RMDAS) Ferrous Scrap Price Index is based on data gathered from a statistically significant compilation of verified ferrous scrap purchase transactions.

 

RMDAS is a service of Management Science Associates Inc. (MSA), Pittsburgh. Those seeking more information about RMDAS can contact MSA’s Ralph Pinkert at 773-588-1199 or via e-mail at RPinkert@MSA.com.

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Guys take a look on the Metso Minerals web site ( bottom page on the left).

There is an interesting article about " Right Quality Rock at the Right Price".

Take a look.

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Have you checked the Metso Minerals site lately?

They have invented a new hand-held tool that quickly and accurately evaluates orbits for vibrating equipment.

Check it out :

http://www.metsominerals.com/ » Read More

Versatile in its use and easy to handle, the bucket crusher, today in four models, demolishes production costs (machine hire, transport and disposal in a dump) and advances the recycling culture. They came on the market and started a new way of crushing. It’s better to say that their extraordinary flexibility of use widened the boundaries of the recycling culture enormously. One of the first models of hydraulic equipment fitted with a jaw crusher to be used with an excavator was the BF 90.3, the bucket crusher by MB Crusher. “Recycling debris and crushing right on site are more and more requirements that cannot be disregarded by companies, both big and small, working in the construction, demolition and building sector as well as in earthmoving in general,” says Guido Azzolin of MB Crusher . “Nowadays our product is increasingly more common; it is no longer niche or specialised equipment, it is becoming standard equipment for any construction company.” MB Crusher has its headquarters in the province of Vicenza, in Breganze, where the company’s name comes from and in just a few months it has presented four different models of bucket / crusher for as many applications and work categories. The application areas of this technology are different and include demolition, building in general, digging, special applications like breaking up of the vineyard soil and finally rock applications that is crushing of quarry material. The characteristics one can appreciate immediately in these machines (those that have justified their success) are versatility of use, possibility of crushing on site in any situation where a tracked excavator can go and, finally, but perhaps most importantly, the possibility of abating costs that they offer. Thanks to their high production capacity, the buckets crushers can be used in big and medium sites, doing away totally with the hire costs of machines fitted with a crusher and also transport costs. The bucket crusher works together with a tracked excavator that is normally already available in any construction site and does not need hiring a dedicated or specialised machine. The transport costs of the bucket crusher are negligible (it is moved like any equipment or digging bucket). Finally, the bucket crusher cancels totally the costs for the disposal of demolition material in a dump. The data gathered on the field at MB Crusher’s customers’ show that all companies using it consider it to be useful both for big sites and small jobs (ease of transport and very low costs make it useful also for crushing small quantities). Crushing without Limits • MB Crusher has designed four models of bucket crusher that are already available on the market. • The machine BF60.1 weights 1.500 kg and is recommended for excavators from 8 ton to 14 ton. The size of the crushed material can be adjusted from 2 cm to 10 cm. The bucket’s capacity is 0.50 m3. • The machine BF70.2 weights 2,250kg and is recommended for excavators weighing from 14 to 20 tons. The bucket’s capacity is 0.60 m3. The size of the crushed material can be adjusted between 2 and 12 cm. • The machine BF90.3 weights 3.500kg and is recommended for excavators weighing from 20 to 28 tons. Crushing is achieved by a jaw and the mouth aperture measures 90x45cm (width x height). The bucket’s capacity is 0.75 m3. The size of the crushed material can be adjusted between 2 and 12cm. • The machine BF120.4 weights 4.900kg and is recommended for excavators weighting ≥28 tons. The bucket’s capacity is 1 m3. The size of the crushed material can be adjusted between 2 and 12 cm. Meccanica Breganzese will be present at CONEXPO-CON / AGG 2008 in the Las Vegas Convention Center at booth C-4061 (Central Hall) and outside in the demonstration area at S 510.

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TROUTVILLE, VA — Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, awarded Roanoke Cement Co. the 2007 Energy Star® for superior energy efficiency within the cement industry. The only active cement plant in Virginia, Roanoke Cement is one of only 10 plants ranked in the EPA's “Top Performing Plants” in the country. There are currently 118 cement plants in operation nationally.  The Energy Star® program recognizes manufacturer's energy efficient solutions that save money while protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Roanoke's original plant, which began production in 1951, featured a kiln feed system that used long dry kilns that did not take full advantage of the heat energy leaving the system, resulting in significant energy consumption. To save energy, the modern cement plant introduces preheated raw materials into the kiln. The plant's preheater tower acts like a big heat exchanger, utilizing hot exit gases from the kiln; literally a tower of high-efficiency cyclones, delivering the raw material into and through the kiln. The company obtains approximately a 40 percent reduction in fuel consumption through the heat exchange. The Roanoke plant is now recognized as one of the most energy-efficient cement plants in the world. The United States is the third largest producer of cement behind China and India. The worldwide boom in construction has brought about significant supply issues and the environmental strides achieved by the domestic cement industry have further enhanced U.S. growth.  The score, which is based on actual energy use, is calculated using a tool prepared by the EPA called an energy performance indicator (EPI). It scores the energy efficiency of a cement plant and compares it to that of the entire industry using basic inputs unique to a plant. Where 100 percent is considered (unachievable) perfection, the USEPA scored Roanoke Cement Company at 98 percent.  “While we are pleased at the plant's progress, we are not satisfied!” said Kevin Baird, Plant Manager for Roanoke Cement Company. “We remain dedicated to continuous improvement, convinced that environmental stewardship is the most important characteristic to becoming a good corporate citizen.” Roanoke Cement Co., located in Troutville, VA, is a subsidiary of Titan America LLC and the first plant to receive the prestigious Energy Star® rating. Titan America LLC is located in Norfolk, VA, and is one of the premier cement and building materials producers in the Eastern United States. Titan America operations include cement plants, ready-mix concrete plants, concrete block plants, quarries, import and rail terminals and fly ash production facilities.

cfr : NAQN

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MEQUON, WI — Telsmith Inc., an Astec company, will introduce its new PA6060 Primary Impact Crusher at CONEXPO-CON / AGG 2008, at Astec / Telsmith Booth C-5135. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with Telsmith product engineers about the features that allow the new PA6060 to tackle large quarried stone or tough demolition debris with ease, and at lower costs per ton.
Built heavier than similar sized primary impact crushers, the Telsmith PA6060 is engineered to maximize crushing hours and minimize maintenance. A key differentiating component of the PA6060 is the massive rotor set on oversized 220 mm, wide series bearings. The heavier rotor delivers higher inertia to optimize crushing, and the ruggedness to consistently crush 40-inch stone
Incorporating innovative technologies, the PA6060 utilizes a state-of-the-art hydraulic system to provide finger-tip control of apron adjustments. A PLC allows operation in an AUTO mode that will automatically return the apron to preset spacing and track wear parts consumption. These technologies prevent damage from any uncrushable materials, while reducing maintenance, providing greater uptime and lowering operating costs.
Additional features include a hydraulic tilting feed plate to safely and quickly clear bridging; interchangeable and reversible mono-block aprons to reduce maintenance costs
and downtime; easy access inspection doors; and a hydraulic upper frame for quick access to maintenance areas.
For versatile operation in new or existing plants, the PA6060 is available in wheeled portable, track mobile or modular plant arrangements.                                                          
View the new Telsmith PA6060 at the Astec/Telsmith Booth C-5135 at CONEXPO-CON / AGG 2008 in Las Vegas from March 11-15. For immediate information on the new Telsmith PA6060, visit www.telsmith.com/PA6060 for complete specifications, or for a convenient downloadable brochure.                                                             
Celebrating more than a century of service, Telsmith has built its reputation as a provider of reliable and productive equipment engineered to process more material at lower costs per ton. The company’s ongoing commitment to quality led to its ISO 9001 certification in 1994, and to its inclusion as one of a number of companies comprising the Astec Aggregate and Mining Group.
In addition to the engineering of fully automated plants and integrated systems, Telsmith’s complete equipment line includes cone crushers, jaw crushers, primary and secondary impact crushers, portable and modular crushing plants, stationary systems, washing equipment, vibrating screens and feeders, and portable and stationary conveyors.
For more information, call 800-765-6601 or 262-242-6600; fax 262-242-5812; visit www.telsmith.com or email sales@telsmith.com.

Cfr : NAQN » Read More

At CONEXPO-CON / AGG booth C-6013, Grasan, of Mansfield, OH, will highlight their custom design capabilities in road-portable, pit-portable and stationary equipment and systems for crushing, screening, handling and storage of aggregates; recycling of concrete/asphalt rubble; conveying and stacking; and special applications in bulk material handling and processing.
Grasan can engineer and manufacture specific equipment or total systems to the customer’s specifications and / or job application, and can interface with an existing operation or provide a completely independent facility from concept to startup.
Grasan engineers will research equipment, processes, recent developments and innovations related to the customer’s project and do material analysis, product specifications tests, system capacity checks or whatever is required.
One of Grasan’s newest developments is a line of large, track-mounted primary crushing plants that each will be largely custom designed and built to meet individual customer needs and specifications for high-production aggregate applications. These plants can be built around any crusher - impactor or jaw - that best fits the customer’s operation.
For more information, contact Grasan at 440 S. Illinois Ave., Mansfield, OH 44907-1809; call 419-526-4440; fax 419-524-2176; email grasan@grasan.com or visit www.grasan.com.


Ref : NASQ » Read More

The 2008 profit fell below Wall Street estimates, pressuring its shares and those of other construction-industry suppliers.

Shares of Martin Marietta dropped as much as 11% to hit a fresh 52-weeks intra-day low.

Martin Marietta said the fourth quarter result is to blame on bad weather in the Carolinas,Midwest and Mideastern states.

The CEO of Martin Marietta Mr. Zelnak says that the 2008 will be a challenging year due to the uncertainty prevalent in the US economy however the demand for aggregate products appears solid.

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Scientific American presents the 2008 conference : " Investing in Renewables. Bottom line for the planet (TM) " to be held on May 28-29,2008 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.

The topic that will be covered in this very interesting event will be :

Future Energy Consumption
Alternative Fuels: Solar,Hydrogen,Ethanol
Waste Menagment Innovations.


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Mining Giant BHP Billiton said it won't be able to meet is commitments to ship Australian-mined coal used for steel, putting pressure on steel prices.

Asian steelmakers , in particular, are very dependent on coal from Australia.

The impact is likely to be felt hardest in Asia's steel spot markets.

Further effects would depend on how long the stoppage lasts and whether China, the world largest producer and consumer of steel, either curb exports or increase import to keep itself supplied.

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