Cemex 1997 Annual Report Download - page 79

Clinker:
Clinker is an intermediate cement product.
Limestone, clay and iron oxide are sintered in
a kiln at around 1450 degrees Celsius to pro-
duce clinker. One metric ton of clinker is used
to make approximately 1.1 metric tons of gray
Portland cement.
Gray cement:
Gray Portland cement is a hydraulic binding
agent with a composition by weight of at least
95% clinker, and 0 to 5% of a minor compo-
nent (usually calcium sulfate). It can set and
harden underwater and, when mixed with
aggregates and water, produces concrete or
mortar. Today, our research and development
focuses on blended cements. These special
cements not only meet our customers more
stringent demands, but they also reduce our
energy consumption.
White cement:
White cement is a strategic, high-potential
speciality cement, which is particularly suited
for the world’s emerging markets. It is not
only used for decorative purposes, but also for
a wide range of uses as a structural building
material.
The terms
we use
Ready-mix:
Ready-mix concrete is the mixture of cement,
aggregates and water. It is a building material
that is produced in batching plants and deliv-
ered directly to the building site. Stringent con-
trols during the manufacturing process guaran-
tee the high quality and consistency of the fin-
ished product.
Aggregates:
Aggregates are sand and gravel, which are
mined from quarries. They give ready-mix con-
crete its necessary volume and add to its overall
strength. Under normal circumstances, one
cubic meter of fresh concrete contains two met-
ric tons of gravel and sand.
Installed capacity:
Installed capacity means the theoretical annual
production capacity of a plant; whereas
Effective Capacity is a plant’s actual optimal
annual production capacity, which can be 10 to
20% less than installed capacity.
Metric ton:
Metric ton is equivalent to 1.102 short tons.
GLOSSARY
The information presented herein contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to CEMEX, S.A. de C.V. and its subsidiaries (collectively, ÒCEMEXÓ)
that are based on the beliefs of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to CEMEX. Such statements reflect the current views
of CEMEX with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of CEMEX to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking state-
ments, including, among others, changes in general economic, political, governmental and business conditions globally and in the countries in which CEMEX does business,
changes in interest rates, changes in inflation rates, changes in exchange rates, the level of construction generally, changes in cement demand and prices, changes in raw
material and energy prices, changes in business strategy and various other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual result may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. CEMEX does not intend, and
does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. In addition, certain information presented herein was extracted from information published
by various official sources. This information includes certain reported rates of inflation, exchange rates and information relating to the countries in which CEMEX operates.
CEMEX has not participated in the preparation of compilation of any of such information and accepts no responsibility therefor except that it confirms the accurate repro-
duction thereof from such sources.