Titan America is investing $37 million in the construction of a new, 70,000-ton dome at its Roanoke Cement Company import terminal in Chesapeake, Va., in an effort to meet the growing demand for its products in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The new dome, expected to be completed next year, will add to an existing 35,000 tons of bulk storage at the site, expand truck and rail capabilities, and allow Titan America to continue expanding its offerings of low-carbon cements, the company said. In addition, the improved terminal will have the capability to import and distribute raw materials such as fly ash, slag, and aggregates that are in demand throughout the market.
This new investment in Titan’s Virginia terminal comes on the heels of a similar investment in a 70,000-ton dome currently under construction at Titan’s import terminal in Tampa, Fla.
“The major expansion and modernization of these two marine terminals is another important step toward meeting fast-growing demand for our products and services in critical infrastructure, commercial, and residential projects in our communities,” said Bill Zarkalis, president and CEO of Titan America. “These projects, along with our continued investments in low-carbon cement production capacity expansion and end-to-end digitalization of our plants, signify our commitment to meet evolving societal and consumer expectations in a world that is shaped by the need for climate change mitigation in a digitalized economy.”
Several regional “megatrends” are strengthening across Titan’s served markets in the Mid-Atlantic region, spanning from Washington, D.C. to South Carolina, the company maintained. Climate change resilience, population growth supported by new and rebuilt infrastructure, and substantial investments in defense and digital technologies all are positive indicators of what lies ahead. “The timing of our investments is well-aligned to support these major economic drivers and enables us to further demonstrate our commitment to being the preferred supplier for sustainable growth through lower-carbon products for our customers,” said Kevin Baird, president of Titan America’s Mid-Atlantic business unit.
Over the past five years, Titan America says it has steadily modernized and expanded its logistics infrastructure, storage facilities, land terminals, and the privately owned import terminal in Chesapeake to create an integrated logistics network—by ship, truck, and rail. In conjunction with converting to a multi-product storage and loadout facility, the Chesapeake investment will more than triple the amount of rail running through the terminal, and include multiple truck and rail loadouts on site, boosting Titan’s capabilities and quality of service.
“In this era of high demand for our construction materials, particularly for our lower-carbon products, the expanded logistics capacity at our import terminal and our rail network will ensure we continue to serve our customers reliably and with the sustainable green solutions that will reduce the carbon footprint for construction,” said Don Ingrassano, senior vice president of sales at Titan America.