India: A study at the DPG Institute of Technology and Management in Gurugram has investigated the effects of blending different concentrations of silica fumes to ground granulated blast furnace slag-based (GGBFS) geopolymer concrete. Findings reported in the Nature concluded that the addition of 10% silica fumes ‘significantly’ enhanced the durability and strength of the resulting concrete.

US: Eagle Materials has entered into an agreement to acquire aggregates producer Bullskin Stone & Lime for US$153m. Bullskin Stone & Lime serves the Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania market. Eagle Materials expects to close the deal in the first quarter of 2025.

Eagle Materials president and CEO Michael Haack said the deal "complements and extends our network of aggregates quarries and cement plants and terminals in the region."

Singapore: A team at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has developed a new method for 3D printing concrete that incorporates steam and CO₂ from industrial by-products into the concrete mix. The team says that the process enhances the strength of concrete, while reducing the total volume used in construction.

France: Saint-Gobain subsidiary Chryso has launched EnviroMix C-Clay, a new range of additives designed for the production of concrete using calcined clay cement. Chryso says that the product enables concrete producers to reduce their CO₂ emissions by 50% by displacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC).