Medcem – ASTM Type I/II Low Alkaline Portland Cement

EPD document prepared for Medcem – ASTM Type I/II Low Alkaline Portland Cement with registration number S-P-06767 has been registered and published in EPD Turkey and The International EPD System. Registered EPD document applies to all global markets.

It is a cement type with medium sulfate resistance, with a tri-calcium aluminate (C3A) value of maximum 8%, which meets the requirements of ASTM C150 and AASHTO M 85. Standards, obtained by grinding the specially produced Low Alkaline Portland Cement clinker with set-regulating gypsum. It is resistant to alkali-aggregate reaction in concrete as it meets ASTM C150 Low Alkaline requirements.

Production

Cement production process begins with mining of the main raw materials, such as limestone and clays. These raw materials are excavated from open mines. After drilling and blasting, they are loaded on to trucks and transported from quarry to the plant.

Besides limestone and clays, some other raw materials are also used for different purposes. For instance, in order to achieve the desired material composition for the kiln process, iron and aluminium sources, such as iron ore and bauxite, are supplied from the related sources. Gypsum is also supplied and used in the final stage of the cement production as a set regulator.

At the plant, first, all the raw materials are crushed with crushers and after crushing each material is stored and homogenized in the allocated storage unit.

Then, the required materials (limestone, clay, iron ore, bauxite) to produce half product (Clinker, the main component of the cement) are taken to dosing hoppers and the proportion of each material is arranged with the weigh feeders below these hoppers. Then, the formed Raw Mix. is fed to the Raw Mill Unit for fine grinding in order to increase the reaction surface area of the material and it becomes Raw Meal and this fine material is stored and homogenized in the Raw Meal Silo.

After the Silo, Raw Meal is first preheated and calcined at the preheater and calciner section of the pyroprocessing system. Then, at the kiln section of the system, the calcined material is heated to a sintering temperature as high as 1450 °C and suddenly cooled by bursts of air where the chemical bonds of the calcined materials are broken down and then they are recombined into new compounds. By this way, Cement Clinker (the half product), the basic material required for the production of all cements, is produced and then it is stored in concrete silos.

In order to create Cement (the final product), clinker is ground to a fine powder in a Cement Mill Unit with a small amount of gypsum (3-5%) to regulate how the cement will set. During this phase, different mineral materials, called “cement additives”, may be added alongside the gypsum. Used in varying proportions, these additives, which are of natural or industrial origin, give the cement specific properties such as reduced permeability, greater resistance to sulfates and aggressive environments, improved workability, or higher-quality finishes.

Finally, the cement is stored in silos before being shipped in bulk or in bags to the sites where it will be used.

Intended Use of Product

Due to its structure, it is a type of cement suitable for general use as TYPE I. It is mostly used for general construction purposes such as precast concrete products, reinforced concrete buildings. Since it also meets TYPE II requirements, it is suitable for use in applications where concrete will come into contact with the ground. It can be used in drainage structures that may be exposed to moderate sulfate attacks from groundwater, and in constructions such as sewers, bridges and pavements.

MEDCEM

Medcem Cement factory was built by Medcem Madencilik ve Yapi Malzemeleri San Tic AŞ with the highest environmental awareness by using the latest technological systems and started its production activities in the second half of 2015.

Medcem Cement has an annual clinker production capacity of 3.5 million tons.

Our factory, whose production is mostly planned for export, aims to become a rapidly expanding and recognized brand in the world by steadily increasing its market share in the global market.

Medcem Cement is preparing to become one of the world’s largest cement producers by multiplying its strength in the international market with its second line investment, the foundation of which was laid in August 2021.

With its new investment planned to be completed in 20 months, Medcem Cement will increase its annual clinker production capacity of 3.5 million tons to 6.5 million tons, resulting in a capacity increase of approximately 90%.

The new investment, together with the increase in capacity, will provide an increase of approximately 30% in personnel employment.

Medcem Solid Waste Incineration Facility was established as Turkey’s first Solid Waste Incineration Facility in Corlu with a total investment of 110 million dollars in 2015.

Our Solid Waste Incineration facility enables the conversion of paper wastes, treatment sludge and wastes from other paper mills in the vicinity, which are generated in the paper production process of Modern Karton, one of the group companies.

The facility makes a great contribution to the environment, the industrialists in the region and the country’s economy with the disposal of wastes. The facility has a total capacity of 27.6 mw/h of electricity or 100 tons/h of steam.