Portland Limestone Cement (Type IL)
What Is Portland Limestone Cement?
Portland Limestone Cement (PLC), designated as ASTM C595 Type IL, is a general-purpose blended cement that contains 5-15% finely ground limestone. By comparison, traditional ASTM C150 ordinary portland cement allows for only up to 5% limestone content.
Type IL cement delivers the same strength, durability, and workability as conventional portland cement, while offering meaningful environmental performance improvements through reduced clinker content and lower carbon intensity.
Benefits of Portland Limestone Cement
Portland Limestone Cement is engineered to meet modern sustainability goals without compromising performance. Key advantages include:
- Equivalent strength and durability performance to ordinary portland cement
- Improved workability and finishability
- Up to 10% reduction in CO₂ emissions during manufacturing compared to traditional ASTM C150 cement
- Supports LEED® and sustainable construction objectives
- Reduced environmental footprint without changing mix designs or construction practices
Type IL cement enables contractors, engineers, and project owners to maintain proven construction performance while having a lower carbon impact.
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CalPortland ADVANCEMENT™ Blended Cement Line
ADVANCEMENT™ HPT
A high-sulfate resistant ternary (three-part) blend of clinker, limestone and pozzolan that can be used in sulfate rich environments at or below grade. When compared to ASTM C150 cement, manufacturing Advancement HPT produces 20-25% less CO2 while maintaining product performance requirements.
ADVANCEMENT™ LT
A light-colored cement formulated for architectural and decorative applications including masonry, concrete, precast, and plaster products where color consistency and brightness are critical.
ADVANCEMENT™ HS
Designed for use in high-sulfate soil conditions, ADVANCEMENT™ HS delivers enhanced sulfate resistance while reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 10% compared to ordinary portland cement.
ADVANCEMENT™ products allow builders and designers to meet both performance requirements and sustainability goals on their next project.
Common Product Applications
Portland Limestone Cement is suitable for a wide range of residential, commercial, and infrastructure applications, including:
Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs)
Architectural precast products
Custom color stucco blends
Ready-mix concrete
Precast concrete products
Its versatility makes it a strong solution for both structural and architectural applications.
- Type IL cement is not recommended for use in areas subject to high sulfate soils unless specifically designated as a sulfate-resistant formulation.
- Always refer to project specifications and engineering requirements to confirm product suitability.
- Contact with cement, including unhardened concrete, mortar, or wet cement, can cause skin irritation, chemical burns, or serious eye damage.
For additional safety guidance, please refer to the CalPortland Portland Cement SDS Report.
Founded in 1891, CalPortland continues to lead the industry in high-quality cement production, technical innovation, and sustainable manufacturing. From our state-of-the-art facilities, every product is manufactured using carefully selected raw materials and strict quality control procedures.
Portland Limestone Cement (Type IL) meets or exceeds the following standards:
ASTM C595 – Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
AASHTO M240 – Blended Hydraulic Cement Specification
International Building Code (IBC) 2103.1 – Masonry Construction Materials
Our commitment to quality ensures consistent performance, project reliability, and long-term durability across every application.