Cyprus: Ready-mix concrete workers are continuing a now two-week-long strike to demand higher rates of pay for overtime work. PhileNews has reported that the strikers are seeking an increase from 1.25 times the base rate to 1.4 times for weekdays and 1.8 times for weekends. They have reportedly rejected a compromise proposal by the government.

Colombia: Cementos Argos has inaugurated four new ready-mix concrete batching plants in Bogotá. One plant is fixed and the other three are mobile, with a combined investment value of US$1.59m. Cementos Argos says that it has gained 276,000m³/yr in additional capacity as result.

Cementos Argos Colombia Central manager Alexander Pedraza said "The mobility situation in Bogotá has challenged us to innovate and develop solutions that allow us to be ever closer to our customers.”

World: Data company Research and Markets has forecast that the global precast concrete market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% up to 2030, from US$24bn to US$35bn. It previously grew by 6% year-on-year from US$22.6bn in 2023.

Canada: CarbiCrete has obtained the first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its cement-free concrete masonry units (CMUs). The products have specific CO₂ emissions of 11.7kg/m³ for the CMUs, 94% below the industry norm of 200kg/m³. FinancialWire News has reported that CarbiCrete’s recipe for the CMUs replaces cement with steel by-products, while also sequestering CO₂.

Concrete products company Canal Block is set to commence production of CarbiCrete CMUs at its Port Colborne plant in Ontario in early 2025.