Fall 2004 - National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

equipment talk
And What Color Would
You Like That In…
The Color-Concrete Boom
By Tom Pittman, Aggregate Industries
and Gary Mullings, Senior Director of Operations & Compliance, NRMCA
Red, green, pink or even chartreuse,
customizing the color of concrete is
now an every day occurrence for the
modern ready mixed concrete production
facility. And along with the demand for
every color under the rainbow has come
computerized automated equipment to
deliver accurate and dependable coloring
agents. Just a few years ago adding color to
concrete was a messy by-the-bag type of
operation…well, not any more.
The demand for colored concrete is rising
at an unprecedented rate. Not too long
ago the market for colored concrete for the
most part was confined to the southern tier
of states. That is no longer the case. The use
of colored concrete is up in all regions.
According to an article in the March edition
of Concrete Producer Magazine, “Industry
wide, ready mixed concrete that contained
color represented about 2 percent (8-million
cubic yards) of 2003 shipments. This year
that number should climb to 2.5 percent,
jumping to 3.1 percent in 2005 and 4 percent
in 2006.” In the ready mixed concrete
business, this type of increase is a quantum
leap and an excellent business opportunity
for the market-savvy producer.
Along with the increase in demand for
colored concrete has come an automated
dispensing unit, which has solved many of
the quality control issues as well as the shortnotice,
on-demand type product that now
has to be issued. More and more pressure is
now placed on producers to supply colored
concrete with little or no variation from
batch to batch. In order to accomplish this,
computerized color dispensing units are a
necessity. Aggregate Industries Fort Totten
Plant Manager Dennis Burger said, “The
automatic color system has simplified colored
concrete. The system cut labor, reduced
the mess, and improved safety and customer
satisfaction.”
The age of colored concrete has arrived. The age of
automated delivery system is here. It is now up to the
smart ready mixed concrete producer to use the tools of
the trade to supply the needs of the industry.
Automated Liquid Color System at Aggregate
Industries Fort Totten Plant, Washington, DC
Admixture companies and colored additive
suppliers have recently formed alliances
to fulfill ready mixed concrete producers’
need for color additives and systems to dispense
them. In 2002, Degussa (then Master
Builders) teamed with L. M. Scofield Co.
“providing a system that offered a wide
range of architectural colors.” Davis Colors
and Grace Construction Products have an
agreement to supply the ready mixed concrete
industry with state-of-the-art color pigments
and automated dispensing units. New
software products were recent unveiled by
Solomon Colors that allows for improved
data management and Bayer Chemicals are
introducing software compatible with Standley
Batch System’s dispensing units that use
plant water to mix coloring agents.
The age of colored concrete has arrived.
The age of automated delivery system is
here. It is now up to the smart ready mixed
concrete producer to use the tools of the
trade to supply the needs of the industry. ■
CONCRETE in focus ı 47