Construction Growth Requires an Increase of Cement Plant Capacity
Concrete Construction Connects with Modern Formwork
Dating back to the Roman Era, concrete is the most used man-made product in the world. Ancient Romans were even the first known group to successfully use concrete formwork for both mundane buildings and architectural marvels. Though it is different from the modern formwork we know and use today, such as the EFCO PLATE GIRDER® system, it is fascinating to see how concrete construction connects us all throughout the globe and even through time.
What is the difference between Concrete and Cement?
Portland Cement Gives Concrete Its Binding Characteristic
Often confused with concrete, cement, and more specifically, Portland Cement is the catalyst that gives concrete its binding characteristics. In its simplest form, concrete is a mixture of cement, fine aggregates like sand, coarse aggregates like gravel, water, and air. Together, Portland Cement and water create a paste that completely coat every particle of aggregate during mixing. The paste hardens through chemical reactions and binds materials into a strong, rock-like mass known as concrete. This hardening process continues for years, meaning that concrete gets stronger as it gets older. Versatile and reliable, concrete has the capacity to last longer than any other building material in the world. Used in almost any kind of construction, the world population reap the benefits of clean drinking water, safe transportation, secure homes, and energy to power them.
New Cement Plant Expected to Meet Demands for Future Infrastructure Construction Projects
Rapid urbanization and increased infrastructure investments continue to pressure the production of Portland Cement worldwide and the southernmost tip of Chile is no exception. The Magallanes Region of Chile is seeing an increase in both public and private infrastructure project development over the next two to three years. This activity has driven Cementos Melón to construct a new Portland Cement plant to support the expected demand. The new grinding plant is located 5 miles north of the capital province of Punta Arenas. With more than 50 cement plants owned and operated by Melón throughout Chile, this newest plant is positioned to support the concrete needs of this developing region.
21st Century Cement Plant in Chile offers cleaner future for cement
This project being shovel-ready in August 2021 and with an investment of $30M made by Melón, will have the capacity to produce 250,000 tons of cement per year, including a special variety used for the wintry weather in the region.
Melón pioneers response to climate change in cement industry
Melón prides itself on the company’s measures to fulfill its corporate vision towards social responsibility. Each Melón team member seeks to integrate the economic and operation development of the company with respect for values, people, and the environment. As a company, Melón exemplifies its vision with the practice of reusing waste from other industrial processes for energy needs and by implementing energy-efficient technology in their processes. This commitment has enabled Melón to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30,000 tons per year.
European Technology for cement Industry | Reducing the Carbon Footprint
This new cement plant and the facilities that are included are designed with European carbon capture technology that focuses on the overall management and the impact on the environment, reducing the carbon footprint. This means including soundproof walls and an environment qualification standard that guarantees the same ambitious standards in other parts of the world.
Meeting Concrete Formwork Construction
Demands & Deadlines
Empresa Constructora Salfa S.A. was awarded the contract and chose EFCO as a partner in the construction of the various structures that would comprise the new plant. Initial planning between the Salfa and EFCO teams included working with Engineers and Support Specialists designing formwork solutions that not only would increase productivity but also support the health and safety initiatives of the contractor. EFCO’s team of formwork professionals was committed to applying and fine-tuning the most efficient solution for this project.
Formwork Systems For Rent And Sale
Formwork That Meets All Construction Project Requirements
EFCO’s PLATE GIRDER® system is modular and was used for the high walls of the Raw Materials building and the Mills. These all-steel, fixture-built precision panels have been designed to be interchangeable with a common bolting pattern, enabling the PLATE GIRDER Forming System to adapt easily to changing wall and beam configurations. The PLATE GIRDER Forming System enables a maximum of 96 ft² of form surface per tie. This means fewer ties and minimal tie holes to patch and finish. This feature also provides excellent panel joint alignment, eliminating offsets and minimizing grout leakage.
Unbelievable Value
Handset formwork
Available in both Imperial and Metric dimensions, EFCO’s all-steel HAND-E-FORM® form panels include design features that cannot be duplicated by any other material. The innovative design features of the HAND-E-FORM system offer forming efficiencies that can save you time and money. These efficiencies were used and gave Empresa Constructora Salfa S.A. a competitive edge in the construction of the Silos for this project.
The Formwork Advantages
EFCO Solutions
EFCO LITE® column forms bring you the standard EFCO advantage of design and materials that can work for you with a 2,000 lb/ft² pour pressure. With the windmill design, one set of forms can form varying column sizes in 2″ increments. An architectural 3/4″ column corner chamfer can be easily formed. The unique design of EFCO’s standard EFCO LITE column forms only require three bolts per 8′ of a corner. EFCO LITE Columns were used for the diverse types of columns and buttresses required.
Elevated Concrete Slabs
E-Z DECK® Shoring System
The E-Z DECK system combines three important components. These are the E-BEAM®, Z-BEAM®, and the E-Z SHORE®. These components, along with the plywood decking, are rigidly connected into a module. Individual modules can be stacked into larger modules and moved from pour to pour quickly. The E-Z DECK system was used to shore the high elevated concrete slabs for the Electrical Room.
Listening to needs Builds Success on Every Project
The Foundation of Good Relationships
EFCO is committed to the success of every project by first listening to the needs of not only the contractor performing the work but also the owner. What is important to the stakeholders of the project becomes important to EFCO. There lies the foundation of relationships.