US: The board of supervisors of the Pennsylvania township of Salem has approved Daniels Concrete’s construction of its Salem ready-mix concrete batching plant. This is despite a 5m encroachment onto allotted road setback space under transport rules. Under normal permitting processes, proprietors would need to prove special ‘hardship’ in order to be exempted from the restriction. Local press has reported that planning commissioners referred the matter to the board of supervisors given that the plant has operated ‘for years’ without permits.
Sonocrete patents new method of concrete production in India
Germany/India: Germany-based Sonocrete has filed a patent application for a new method to produce concrete, specially developed for the production of high-early-strength concrete. Indian Patent News has reported that the method is comprised of a cement pre-mixer equipped with an ultrasonic probe, a crystallisation tank and a concrete mixer.
Concrete Engineering Products to sell site in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia: Concrete Engineering Products is seeking a buyer for its Bangsar site in Kuala Lumpur. Reuters has reported that the company anticipates a one-time gain of US$556m as a result.
Laing O’Rourke supplies 50% GGBFS concrete for London office block project
UK: Construction firm Skanska is using 3000 planks of precast concrete made with 50% ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) for the upcoming 105 Victoria Street commercial development in Westminster, dubbed ‘London’s most sustainable office building.’ Engineering firm Laing O’Rourke will design and produce the planks at its Worksop, Nottinghamshire, concrete plant. Construction Management Magazine News has reported that the 105 Victoria Street building will include 2000m² of green space and terraces.
