The American Coal Ash Association (ACAA) reports that the coal ash beneficially used was 58% in 2018, down from 64% in 2017. It estimates that 60 of 102 million metric tons was beneficially reused. Coal ash produced decreased by 9 million tons (8%) compared to 2017. This is the fourth consecutive year that more than half the coal ash produced was beneficially used rather than disposed. Coal ash is a generic term for coal combustion products (CCP) that is beneficially used in a variety of applications.
Use of coal fly ash in concrete declined 11 percent to 12.5 million tons. While the need for fly ash is high, regional markets are affected by supply issues associated with closure of coal-fueled power plants. Use of CCP in cement manufacture declined 26 percent to 6.4 million tons. The use of fly ash and bottom ash increased to 4.6 million tons following several years of declining trends. The cement and concrete industries represent the largest users of CCPs.
ACAA CCP Production and Use Statistics can be found here. More information can also be found here.
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association