DTI revises standards on Portland cement

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS) has revised the Philippine National Standard (PNS) on Portland cement to ensure that consumers are provided with an up-to-date guide in producing high quality and globally-competitive cement products.

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila said there is an urgent need to upgrade cement quality in the country to meet the stringent requirement in the construction of world-class infrastructure.

"Cement being a vital component of infrastructure building must meet international standards. Modern and sophisticated infrastructure require stronger and better quality materials that will address the growing needs of an expanding society," Favila said.

The Trade Chief said existing standards are periodically reviewed every five years or earlier as the need arises, to keep them updated with the latest developments in the international construction business.

DTI-BPS director Jesus L. Motoomull explained that since PNS which covers the specification of Portland cement, was already due for review, BPS saw the need to revise the said standard to provide stakeholders with a reference standard that is at par with international standards in order to enable the local industry to compete globally.

BPS Technical Committee on Cement and Lime, which is composed of representatives from industry associations, consumer organizations, academe, professional associations and other government agencies, has prepared, Portland Cement Specification that establishes the requirements for the five types of Portland cement.

The TC members referred to the American Society for Testing Materials Standard Specification in revising the said PNS.

Motoomull said that changes in the standard include the exclusion of minor and trace oxides, titanium dioxide and phosphorus pentoxide in reporting alumina.

Also, an option has been added for manufacturers to use processing additions in the manufacture of cement provided that the materials meet the requirements of PNS ASTM which covers the specification in processing additions for use in the manufacture of hydraulic cement.