WEIRTON, W.V.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LafargeHolcim today unveiled a restored, expanded cement terminal at its Weirton, West Virginia, facility, the result of a multi-million dollar modernization project. The site, which had been inactive for 10 years, now will be used to store and distribute the company’s specialty well cements for the oil and gas industry in the Appalachian region.
“We have made a significant investment in the Weirton terminal in direct response to the growing needs of our energy industry customers. Demand for access to our oil well cement has increased dramatically, yet existing distribution channels had grown congested,” said Jamie M. Gentoso, CEO of US Cement operations. “LafargeHolcim can now meet and exceed our customers’ needs with this efficient, state-of-the-art terminal that will support the growing energy industry in this region for many years to come.”
The Weirton revitalization included expansion of the site, construction of a new water-based off- loading facility, and restoration of silos. Because of its superior footprint and location, the company saw an opportunity to work with the community to reinvest in the site, increase access for customers and build economic activity in the region.
In the process of revamping the site, LafargeHolcim collaborated with the Army Corps of Engineers, the West Virginia Department of Commerce, the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle and the local community. In addition, the company worked closely with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Environmental Protection Agency to assure all operating and environmental permits are in place.
“Our goal is to build a diverse and expanding economy in the Brooke-Hancock region. To have a site this size in the Ohio River Valley, just off a major interchange and four-lane highway, is a great reflection of how we can mobilize the power of a community,” said Patrick Ford, Business Development Corporation executive director. “With the help of our partners, we are prepared to make infrastructure improvements that will catalyze this site and the surrounding area for a variety of exciting projects.”
“We’re pleased to partner with the people of West Virginia to drive business growth, and we’re confident this terminal will serve as a hub of economic activity for Weirton and the surrounding area,” said Gentoso. “This upgrade has provided business to area contractors, added jobs at Weirton, and supports the energy industry so vital to the economy of West Virginia.”
As part of this collaboration, LafargeHolcim has been granted additional funding for surrounding site infrastructure improvements and build-out through the conditional grant program known as the West Virginia Industrial Access Road Program (IAR).
About Well Cements
Well cements, specially formulated for reliability and quality, are used for cementing work in the construction of oil and gas wells where they are subject to high temperatures and pressures. LafargeHolcim is a leading oil well cement manufacturer globally, providing consistency in well cement quality, and supply chain execution for timeliness and availability of well cement around the globe. The company manufactures American Petroleum Institute (API) Class A and H well cements at its Joppa, Illinois cement plant, and ships it to Weirton via the Ohio River.
Most LafargeHolcim well cement solutions are certified by the API; all go through a rigorous process to ensure quality and consistency to offer the right performance for offshore, onshore and, shale gas/oil applications. They are formulated to provide high sulfate resistance, adjustable density, mechanical resistance, predictable setting and pumping time, and water tightness. LafargeHolcim operates the largest network of API licensed plants, with 17 established in 14 countries.
About LafargeHolcim
LafargeHolcim is the leading global building materials and solutions company. It has four businesses: cement, aggregates and ready-mix concrete as well as advanced solutions and products that include precast concrete, asphalt and mortar. With its broad portfolio LafargeHolcim solves the toughest challenges facing masons, builders, architects and engineers, bringing industry-leading innovations and services to customers challenged by urbanization, population growth and the demand for sustainability. Headquartered in Switzerland and with leading positions in all regions, LafargeHolcim employs approximately 80,000 employees in around 80 countries and has a portfolio that is equally balanced between developing and mature markets.
In the United States, LafargeHolcim companies include close to 350 sites in 43 states and employ 7,000 people. Our customers rely on us to help them design and build better communities with innovative solutions that deliver structural integrity and eco-efficiency.
