US: Geiger Ready-Mix has begun construction of a new ready-mix concrete batching plant, offices and maintenance shop in De Soto, Kansas. Local press has reported that Geiger Ready-Mix expects to invest US$36m in the entire project, with plant commissioning scheduled to take place in 12 – 13 months’ time.

Ukraine: Finland-based precast concrete producer Elematic is among Finnish industrial companies which attended a working meeting with the Ukrainian Ministry of Strategic Industry and the Ukrainian Council of Armaments Manufacturers. Defense News has reported that the meeting sought to establish possibilities for Ukraino-Finnish collaboration in the construction of sheltered facilities for the production of armaments.

Also in attendance were slim floor construction company Peikko Group, design and engineering firm AINS Group and lifting equipment supplier Konecranes Ukraine. The companies are members of the East Office of Finnish Industries, an advisory body for Finnish businesses in Ukraine.

US: Eco Material Technologies has opened its 50,000t/yr Blissville rail terminal in New York City. The company says that the terminal will distribute supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), including harvested fly ash, to the New York Metropolitan Area. Precision Terminal Logistics will operate the site, using rail connections including the New York and Atlantic Railway to despatch deliveries. Eco Materials expects the facility to quickly reach full capacity due to ‘strong’ regional demand.

CEO Grant Quasha said that the terminal will help the alternative cement segment to reduce its reliance on imported steel slag as a raw material.

Bangladesh: Crown Cement plans to diversify into concrete production and ‘other allied segments,’ including the production of prefabricated building components. The Financial Express newspaper has reported that the move is a response to growing local demand.

Managing Director Mollah Mohammad Majnu said "Diversification is both a necessity and an opportunity. We also plan to invest in energy-efficient technologies and automation to enhance both output and quality.”