Several US companies have made major announcements that will enhance their quarrying and aggregates businesses moving forward.
The US aggregates sector is one of the largest in the global construction materials economy.
It is often the source of many major innovations, including on the sustainability and safety frontiers.
Quarry looks at some of the latest announcements to come out of the US quarrying and aggregates market.
Weathering advancement
Sunrock Industries and Lithos Carbon have announced a partnership aimed at deploying enhanced rock weathering technology.
The project uses basalt fines from the Butner Quarry operated by Sunrock Industries.
These fines will be used to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere and also support soil health in the agricultural sector.
“Our Butner Quarry is the only pure basalt quarry that is rail-served from Manassas, Virginia, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico,” Sunrock Industries vice president of corporate business development Alex Culpepper said.
“What began as an exploration two years ago has evolved into an exciting climate solution that also creates economic opportunities for local farmers.
“The basalt produced here is rich in minerals ideal for carbon sequestration and provides valuable nutrients for agriculture. This project is a win for the climate, a win for farmers, and a win for North Carolina.
“What makes this partnership particularly exciting is that we’re turning what was once considered excess quarry material into a powerful tool for climate action.
“The first trucks of Butner rock fines began delivering to local properties in late October 2022, initiating carbon dioxide removal immediately. With growing demand for permanent carbon removal, we see this as a scalable new use for our high-quality basalt.”
The process works due to the basalt fines containing minerals which can naturally absorb carbon dioxide. The material can be spread across farmland where the rock particles can initiate mineral weathering.
The basalt fines can also support soil health. The material has been shown to contain key crop nutrients including phosphorus, and various micronutrients like zinc, iron, and boron. The material appears similar to agricultural lime and can be used with standard spreading equipment.
“Partnering with Sunrock Industries has accelerated our deployment of high-quality, community-driven carbon removal across North Carolina,” Lithos Carbon chief executive officer and co-founder Mary Yap said.
“Sunrock’s deep local roots, strong community ties, and family-owned ethos helped bring this project to life, delivering real benefits to the land. Their commitment to sustainability and quality is evident at every step, and we’re proud to partner in bringing coastal capital inland to support North Carolina’s farmers, restore soils, and clean the air.”
Amrize tops the charts
Amrize has been recognised for its commitment to safety at nationally recognised safety awards in the US.
The company secured multiple Safety Excellence Awards from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association as part of the latter’s Think First Safety Contest.
Amrize had 100 of its facilities recognised, with 92 of those securing gold-level status. The awards recognise readymix concrete facilities delivering excellent safety records.
“Safety remains our most important priority at Amrize and we are proud of the many recipients and individuals that have contributed in making safe work a daily goal,” Amrize vice president of safety and risk Scott Jacoby said.
“Support from our trusted partnerships, such as NRMCA, helps safeguard the broader industry organisation, reaffirming that safety is not proprietary.”
The awards are given using a three-tier system, which draws on data from the latest Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) / Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) Incident Rate.
“This recognition continues to underscore our role as a trusted trade partner in an industry estimated to include more than 7,500 plants in the US,” Amrize said in its release.
Biodiversity booster
Cemex has revealed it has reached a major milestone with its ongoing sustainability initiatives at its Balcones Cement Plant and Quarry in New Braunfels.
The company shared new data around its Cemex Nature Centre, which is located in New Braunfels. The centre spans 33 hectares with more than 130 native plant species and 25 honeybee hives. The company’s partnership with United Way’s Peace Program has seen more than 4000 pounds of food harvested from the on-site garden while a fundraiser saw more than 200 locals attend the site for education, awareness and fresh produce.
Last year, the greenhouse donated more than 4500 native trees to local organisations. The Balcones Dry Comal Creek Wildlife Habitat Centre is expected to support more than 1000 community members with educational experiences.
“Cemex remains committed to integrating conservation and community partnerships into its operations. In the future, it plans to expand biodiversity initiatives and educational programs at Balcones,” the company said in its release. •
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