January Digital Whistle

Do You Enjoy Your Driveway and Patio?

California Cement Manufacturers Continue to Produce High Demand Products with Reduced Emissions.

January 19th, the Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire convened a meeting of researchers and cement manufacturing persons for a tour of the CalPortland Cement plant in Oro Grande, CA.

Oro Grande is the oldest town in the high desert communities, dating back to gold and silver strikes in 1880. In 1887, limestone quarries began, and kilns produced lime. In 1907, cement manufacturing commenced. Elements of some of that early activity were visible during the plant tour, juxtaposed to the very modern portion of the plant that was built around 15 years ago.

Visitors were amazed at what they found hiding within this dusty-looking facility. Through cutting edge technologies in the pyro processing, conveyance, and process management, the Oro Grande plant currently produces twice the volume of cement, in their state-of-the-art plant, with a smaller environmental footprint than prior to their 2008 plant modernization.

University of California researchers, from the Center for Environmental Research and Technology within the Bourns College of Engineering, and from the Office of Technology Partnerships, explored ways for which they might assist the cement industry in reaching the difficult goal of “net-zero greenhouse gas emissions” in a team effort with industry representatives. Bhaskar Dusi and Bob Sylvia, of CalPortland Cement, led the discussion. Bruno Salomon, Plant Director of  National Cement Company, also joined the discussion.

The largest source of carbon dioxide comes from the chemical reaction in converting limestone into lime. Another significant source, is the burning of fuel (mostly coal) in the pre-calciner and kiln. Proposed formula changes hold the promise of a significant reduction of carbon dioxide in the conversion process. In addition, researchers hope to use clean-burning hydrogen as fuel, or as an additive to the fuel, but carbon dioxide is still a very significant byproduct of the conversion of limestone.

A target of March 1 was set, to find (approximately) five areas of investigation that the cement industry representatives will identify as necessary in order to eventually reach the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Thank you to Cal Portland Oro Grande Cement Plant for their informative tour.

Wallace Brithinee, Ph.D.

President, Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire

Industrial Energy Assessment Grants Available

The Department of Energy has re-opened applications for the Industrial Assessment Grant Program, where small-to-medium manufacturers can qualify for a 50% cost share up to $300,000 to help ensure their manufacturing processes are more efficient.

The deadline for applying during this cycle is March 31, 2024. If you would like to explore how to apply or whether you qualify, contact Deborah Smith at [email protected].

Events and Education:

• 2024 Employment Law Update: New Compliance Obligations for CA Employer: Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 11 AM  to 12 PM PT. Presented by CMTC, their Human Resources Experts will cover a list of new and revised compliance items. Click here to register.
• Industrial Efficiency Grant Program – OnlineFebruary 15, 10 PM PR, join ENERGYWERX for an informational office hours session on the Onsite Energy TAP Assessments, the accompanying grant program, and the application process. RSVP at this link.
• Supplier Scouting Services (no cost): With the Supply Chain shortages and disruptions, please consider taking advantage of this No Cost opportunity to utilize CMTC Supplier Scouting Services:
  • Need to Source Key Parts? (Click here!)
  • Have Inventory others may be looking for? (Click here!)
• Harassment Avoidance Training for Manufacturers with 5 or More Employees: The state of California now requires that all employers with five or more employees provide two hours of anti-harassment training for supervisory staff and one hour of anti-harassment training for non-supervisory employees. To learn more about customized programs offered by CMTC, please visit this link.
• Church & Dwight will celebrate the opening of their plant expansion in Victorville with a Reveal Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting in March. Watch for more news.

Legislative Policy:

• The CMTA is tracking submissions for the legislative calendar since both Senate and Assembly reconvened earlier this month. The deadline for bill submissions is February 16 and by the end of February, CMTA’s Government Relations team will be analyzing next year’s legislation that matters to manufacturers. Two bills have been defeated recently that CMTA was opposed to. The first, AB 1000 (Reyes), would have imposed a moratorium on the construction of new warehouses. The other, AB 259 (Lee), proposed a state wealth tax. (CMTA)

Economic Update:

• (Jan 8) – Unemployment rate held at 3.7% in December as payrolls increased by 216K driven by government and healthcare hiring. Manufacturing also gained as an industry this month. (JP Morgan Wealth Management)
• (Jan 20) – California’s unemployment rate rises to 5.1% in December, up from 4.9% in November and 4.1% in December 2022. (Sierra Sun Times)
• (Jan 17) – The FOMC meeting of the Federal Reserve left rates in the 5.25% – 5.50% where they had been since July. While there is division among the Federal Open Markets Committee, the Fed is anticipated to begin looking for opportunities to cut rates this year. The next FOMC meeting occurs January 31. (Forbes)
• (Jan 19) – The four county (LA, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino) unemployment rate in December of 2023 was 4.7%. Manufacturing was noted in net job loss over 2023 in the region, losing 3,800 jobs. (Orange County Register)
• (Jan 4) – The Inland Empire Purchasing Managers’ Index, managed by the Institute of Applied Research at the California State University at San Bernardino published December numbers, showing that the trend for growth in manufacturing over the last three months has been sluggish. The report notes that while Production and New Orders rose significantly over November and are in healthy territory, the Employment part of the index dropped from month prior, although the report notes this is typically driven by the end of holiday production. (Institute of Applied Research, CSUSB)

• (Jan 4) – CPI for the Inland Empire is also being tracked by the IAR at Cal State San Bernardino. The December report notes that local inflation did rise in December, although the general trend since 2021 has been a decline towards the average. It was also noted that inventories of finished goods have been flat month over month, implying present production is keeping pace with sales. (Institute of Applied Research, CSUSB)