US: Fortera's ReAct alternative cement has become the first product of its kind to meet all six ASTM C1157 performance categories, corresponding to general construction use, high early strength, moderate sulphate resistance, high sulphate resistance, moderate heat of hydration and low heat of hydration. It also exceeded the requirements in some ‘key areas,’ according to the developer. ReAct is an up-to-100% substitute binder technology based on the transformation of vaterite to calcite. It offers 70% reduced CO₂ compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC).

Construction Testing Services independently validated ReAct cement across eight required tests.

Germany: Technical University Dresden professor Manfred Curbach has won the 2025 Nobel Sustainability Award for his development of carbon fibre-reinforced concrete. The method removes the need for steel reinforcement, allowing for the use of reduced-clinker cements without alkaline passivation, while also ‘substantially’ reducing cement and concrete use. The Nobel Sustainability Award committee estimated that carbon concrete has the potential to eliminate 1Bnt/yr of CO₂ emissions globally.

UK: Breedon Group says that it has completed its acquisition of ready-mix concrete producer Hardcrete Minimix Concrete. The business will supplement the Breedon Minimix smaller-load ready-mix concrete offering in Greater London and Hertfordshire, including ‘strategically important’ sites at Luton, Stevenage, Theale and Woodham. Breedon Minimix supplies projects with lower volumes or sites with restricted access.

Breedon GB regional managing director, cement and building products, Ian Smith said that the move "Reflects our continued commitment to invest in businesses that strengthen our market position in key regions and support our long-term growth strategy as nationally-trusted concrete suppliers. With over 100 trucks operating out of more than 130 locations, we continue to lead the UK market in mini-mix concrete."

Ecuador: Eden Innovations says that it has received orders from Holcim Ecuador for US$342,000-worth of EdenCrete Pz7 concrete ready-mix concrete. Eden Innovations will deliver the concrete to nine Holcim Ecuador concrete plants for use in high-strength concrete mixes and ECOPact reduced-CO₂ concrete mixes, starting from January 2026. The order raises Holcim Ecuador’s total purchases of EdenCrete Pz7 concrete to US$698,000 since February 2024. Eden Innovations anticipates a regular supply deal worth US$800,000/yr.

Switzerland-based Holcim previously trialled EdenCrete concretes in Canada, Ecuador, France, Mexico, the UK and the US. Five Amrize plants in Colorado, US, currently have EdenCrete Pz7 bulk storage and dispensing equipment installed, with another planned at a plant in Canada.