Cement

Cement (production) industry belongs to the secondary manufacturing sector, among process activities that are defined in this way because they involve radical changes and give specific technological and merchandise properties to its own products through systematic transformation processes, so that they result to be clearly diversified from corresponding initial raw materials. Cement manufacturing method used at present has been patented in Great Britain in December 1824 by Joseph Aspdin, a Yorkshire kilnman that produced the first hydraulic cement, secretly, baking a mix of limestone and clay. Grey color and stone appearance together with solidity and durability made this binder very similar to the stone of Portland, a village in Cornwall, well known for its much appreciated construction stone; therefore the name “Portland Cement”, comes from its appearance and not from the place of origin.

cements, ready-mix concrete and natural aggregates.

Buzzi Unicem is a modern industrial group specialized in integrated production, sales and marketing of cements, ready-mix concrete and natural aggregates.

Natural Aggregates

Each quarrying activity produces a morphological modification of the territory and must be realized in agreement with the geological characteristics of the ore body and of surrounding morphology. Buzzi Unicem runs several quarries and invests human and financial resources to provide recovery of environment in the quarries areas in order to mitigate impact related to extraction activities. Inside the quarry stoping of compact rocks is realized with explosive. After the blast, biggest sized material is reduced in smaller pieces suitable for subsequent processing. Handling and transport are performed with tractors and excavators and, with help of power loaders, material is loaded on dumpers and transported to crushing plants. Aggregates for concrete production undergo a first crushing and then a dry screening is performed and/or a second crushing. Subsequently material desilting is performed to separate unwanted smallest sections (silts). Sieving allows classification of aggregates following granulometric classes to make a correct compound of mix for concrete.

Ready-Mix Concrete

Ready-mix concrete is a construction material obtained mixing natural aggregates, cement and water, and its production has always been the main use of cement. Production and distribution of ready-mix concrete are realized in concrete mixing plant. Sized materials (aggregates), after treatment and selection following granulometric classification, are stored in hoppers then, through a special extractor, are appropriately batched and sent to charging hopper by a conveyor belt. Dust materials (cements) are stored into silos equipped with dust exhausting systems and sent to the weighting device and to the charging hopper by screw conveyors. Water and liquid additives, batched by use of appropriate devices, are directly added in the concrete truck mixer. The concrete truck mixer provides mix and transport of concrete that will be poured directly on site or pumped with truck mounted concrete pumps.