US: Amrize has partnered with social media conglomerate Meta to develop an AI-optimised concrete mix for the latter's upcoming Rosemount, Minnesota, data centre. The Fly News has reported that the concrete will deliver high strength, reduced CO₂ emissions and a rapid set time. It will leverage Meta’s own open-sourced artificial intelligence (AI) models.
South Korea: The Ready-Mixed Concrete Transportation Workers’ Union (RUNJ) has halted the supply of ready-mixed concrete for Hyundai Development Company’s Kwangwoon University Station mixed-used development in Seoul. The union opposes the company's plans to install ready-mix concrete batching plants at the construction site. ChosunBiz News has reported that Hyundai Development Company made its decision due to traffic concerns.
RUNJ said "Construction firms directly installing batch plants at sites where ready-mixed concrete can be transported from nearby plants is nothing short of taking away the livelihood of the ready-mixed concrete transport industry. If the installation of batch plants is pushed forward, we plan to completely refuse ready-mixed concrete transportation, not only at Hyundai Development Company's sites but also at all construction sites nationwide."
Australia: Acciona has opened a precast concrete plant to serve the Western Harbour Tunnel at Boral’s Emu Plains site in New South Wales. The plant will supply 13,000 precast concrete segments and 1400 culverts for the project, adding up to 90,000m3 in total volume. Boral will operate an adjacent 120m3/hr ready-mix concrete batching plant to serve the precast plant.
The Emu Plains site operated as an aggregates quarry, serving Sydney, between 1883 and 2014.
UK: Admixture and mortars producer Oscrete has acquired waterproofing company Pudlo, following the latter’s rescue from administration in 2024. Existing owner UK Property Repair Group, which led the rescue, will retain a 25% stake. Pudlo supplies structural waterproofing and gas protection systems for below-ground structures, swimming pools and podium decks.
Pudlo Managing Director Gary Laird says that the change of ownership will provide enhanced opportunities for innovation and growth, and choice for its customers.
