India: Nuvoco Vistas has commissioned its new Vizag ready-mixed concrete batching plant in Andhra Pradesh. The facility will produce the company's Concreto and Artiste general purpose and decorative ready-mix concretes, as well as its InstaMix bagged ready-mix concrete. The cement company says that the new concrete plant is 'strategically located' to contribute to the transformation of the region into a hub for smart cities and industry. Projects Today news has reported that the Vizag batching plant is the second opened by the company, after another in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

India: Adani Cement subsidiaries ACC and Ambuja Cements have launched the Cement and Concrete Research and Development Facility at Kalamboli in Maharashtra. Dion News Service has reported that the focus of the centre will lie in product development, productivity enhancement and increasing the efficiency of cement and concrete production.

Adani Cement CEO Ajay Kapur said "Our new research and development facility is our reinforcement towards our collective commitment to pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and addressing industry challenges."

UK: Breedon Group has acquired concrete block producer Broome Bros., construction firm Minster Surfacing and concrete block and aggregates producer Robinson Quarry Masters. Breedon Group said that the businesses will strengthen its presence around Doncaster in South Yorkshire, in Antrim, Northern Ireland, and 'from the Midlands to London.'

CEO Rob Wood said “Many of our transactions come to us through our local knowledge and personal engagement with the owners. As a result, our active mergers and acquisitions pipeline has continued to yield high quality, earnings-enhancing opportunities that will enable us to progress our sustainable growth strategy." He added "Each of these independent family-run businesses is aligned with our vertically-integrated operating model, providing further opportunity to pull through upstream building materials while extending our downstream footprint to deliver profitable growth.”

Business Live News has reported that the group has also completed its transition to the London Stock Exchange from the AIM exchange. Breedon Group said that this will enhance its corporate profile by helping to attract greater international investment.

Canada: Mexico-based Cemex has concluded a deal to acquire aggregates producer Atlantic Minerals Limited. Atlantic Minerals Limited operates an aggregate quarry and port facilities in Newfoundland. Cemex described the business as 'well-positioned' to supply aggregates to its customers in Florida, where it expects 'sustained' growth in demand, as well as elsewhere in the Eastern US. After the acquisition is complete, Atlantic Minerals Limited will continue to operate as Cemex Materials Newfoundland.

Cemex USA president Jaime Muguiro said “This acquisition significantly strengthens our existing network and enables us to serve new markets. I look forward to building on the success of this business as we meet increased demand from the private and public sectors, including critical investments in federal and state infrastructure.”