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US Department of Transportation launches US$5m slag cement research initiative
Written by Global Concrete staff
12 February 2024
US: The Department of Transportation has announced a US$5m initiative to investigate the use of steel slag in cement and concrete. This will take the form of a collaboration between the Department of Transportation and a selected US-based steel producer and university partner. The initiative seeks to reduce CO2 emissions in the production of building materials. Prospective participants may view the grant opportunity here.
Transport secretary Pete Buttigieg said "We're proud to make this funding available to help develop the next generation of construction materials so that the future of our transport infrastructure is more resilient, more sustainable and made in America.”
Robert Hampshire, deputy assistant secretary for research and technology and chief science officer, said “This funding initiative will develop and advance innovative materials and technologies that support the nation’s goals to decarbonise the transportation sector by 2050, strengthen resilience of the nation’s transportation infrastructure, and address adverse environmental impacts created by the transportation system.”
Belarusian Cement Company more than triples exports of autoclaved aerated concrete blocks to Russia in 2023
Written by Global Concrete staff
12 February 2024
Belarus/Russia: Belarusian Cement Company (BCC) increased exports of its autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks to Russia by a factor of more than three year-on-year in 2023. Three units, including the company’s Krasnoselskstroimaterialy building materials plant, contributed to the growth. BeITA News has reported that the increase more than offset the decline in BCC’s foreign sales of AAC blocks following the imposition of international sanctions on Belarus in 2022 for aiding Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
Heidelberg Materials and Viuda de Sainz to launch recycled aggregates plant in Güeñes
Written by Global Concrete staff
09 February 2024
Spain: Heidelberg Materials and construction firm Viuda de Sainz plan to open a construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling and slag grinding plant in Güeñes, Basque Country. The plant, called Harri Green, will be situated in Heidelberg Materials' existing Zaramillo limestone quarry. It processing capacities will be 140,000t/yr CDW and 20,000t/yr steel slag, with which it will produce aggregates. The cost of the plant is Euro2m.
UNACEM acquires Prefabricado Andinos outright
Written by Global Concrete staff
06 February 2024
Chile: UNACEM has gained full ownership of precast concrete company Prefabricados Andinos. The group said that it completed the acquisition of the outstanding 50% stake in the company on 6 February 2024.
Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection approves Lafarge Polska’s acquisition of some Eurobud Chajewscy assets
Written by Global Concrete staff
05 February 2024
Poland: The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKK) has conditionally approved Lafarge Polska's acquisition of certain assets of Eurobud Chajewscy. A condition for the approval is that Lafarge Polska sell the Piła concrete plant in Greater Poland. Baltic Legal Updates News has reported that this would enable Lafarge Polska to retain a single concrete plant in the city.
The UOKK said "Concentration in the proposed form would mean the lack of free choice of supplier and the risk of price increases for concrete buyers in Piła. The sale of one of the concrete plants in Piła will allow entrepreneurs to maintain fair competition on the local concrete supply market."