US: Knife River Corporation reported sales of US$354m in the first quarter of 2025, up by 7% year-on-year, driven by higher pricing and contracting services activity. However, it recorded an operating loss of US$82.7m, up by 54%, and a net loss of US$68.7m, up by 44%, amid rises in costs. The company sold 416,000m³ of ready-mix concrete and 3.87Mt of aggregates during the quarter. It also completed its acquisition of Strata Corporation, adding 24 ready-mix plants and long-term aggregate reserves to its Central segment.

The company’s West regional segment reported 5% sales growth, with increased market demand in Hawaii and California. Meanwhile, its Mountain segment’s sales grew by 10%, due mainly to increased contracting services activity in Idaho. Its Central segment also increased sales volumes across all product lines.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, Knife River Corporation expects strong performance in public-sector projects, which comprise approximately US$751m (87%) of its US$939m backlog. It anticipates consistent full-year 2025 contracting service margins year-on-year.

Finland: Precast producer Elematic and carbon utilisation and storage company Carbonaide have launched the world’s first production-scale CO₂ curing system for precast concrete. The automated system mineralises CO₂ into Elematic’s concrete wall and circulation products at atmospheric pressure. This halves net CO₂ emissions as a baseline, and can achieve carbon negativity in combination with alternative raw materials.

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has recorded a 6% year-on-year fall in UK ready-mix concrete sales in the first quarter of 2025, down to their lowest quarterly level in 60 years. Sales of aggregates and mortars rose by 1% and 4% respectively, up for a fourth consecutive quarter.

Homebuilding is in ‘slow recovery,’ despite high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, infrastructure activity remains ‘uneven,’ with on-going major projects partly offsetting decreased roadbuilding. The MPA noted the additional threat of global trade disruptions, as the UK and US prepare to announce a trade deal expected to circumvent some of the 10% tariffs enacted by the US government against UK goods, including mineral products, in April 2025.

MPA executive chair Chris Leese said: "Without a clear commitment to supporting UK industry through competitive energy costs, better planning and a public procurement policy that prioritises domestically-produced mineral products like cement and concrete, the risk is that essential capacity will be lost."

Canada: Local authorities have granted initial approval to Clark Brothers Contracting for the construction of a new ready-mix concrete plant in Arthur, Ontario. Elora Fergus Today News has reported that the project now requires certification from the Ready-Mix Concrete Association of Ontario and environmental clearance from the government.