A bird’s eye view of Lafarge Corp. in February that shows the two kilns at the right of the picture. It is the long tube closest to the Ohio River that was shut down. Kiln one will still be in operation. The cement plant has been in operation since 1963.
— Planet photo by Clyde Wills
Lafarge will continue to operate the plant and its associated Cave-In-Rock quarry and manufacture specialty well cement on its kiln one. Lafarge will continue to provide cement to its Type I/II customers from other manufacturing sources without interruption.
"The current economic environment has had a major impact on the construction industry and consequently on cement manufacturing. Portland Cement sales have fallen approximately 44% since 2006, according to the Portland Cement Association (PCA)," said Lou Derose, Lafarge environmental and public relations manager.
Lafarge purchased the Joppa Cement plant in 1991. The plant employed 105 people and operated two long dry kilns, kiln one and kiln two, with a total plant output of 1.25 million tons per year.
In 2006, Lafarge announced the construction of a new 7200-ton per day preheater-precalciner kiln. Construction of the new kiln and related equipment continues, and it is anticipated to be ready for operation when cement demand returns.
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