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.”

US: Holcim US has begun selling ECOPact reduced-CO2 concrete in the Colorado Springs, Denver and Pueblo markets in Colorado. The producer says that the range offers 30 - 90% lower CO2 emissions than concrete produced using ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Colorado aims to achieve CO2 emissions reductions of 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050.

Holcim US' Mountain regional general manager and senior vice president Kevin Peart said "Sustainable construction is essential to building a net-zero future in Colorado and across the nation. Denver has consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation, and Colorado Springs is projected to become the state's largest city within the next 15 years. Low-carbon, high-performance building solutions such as ECOPact are essential to mitigating climate change and creating a more sustainable, resilient urban landscape."

Austria: Alpacem Gruppe subsidiary w&p Beton has commenced construction of a new ready-mixed concrete plant in Klagenfurt, Carinthia. Recovered industrial heat will power operations at the plant, reducing CO2 emissions by 40t/yr. It will also use reduced-CO2 cement supplied by the group's Wietersdorf cement plant. The concrete producer says that the ready-mix concrete plant will cost Euro3m and be ready for commissioning in early 2024.

New Zealand: Fletcher Building's Concrete Division, comprising Firth, Golden Bay, and Winstone Aggregates, has stepped up its commitment to developing innovative and increasingly sustainable concrete solutions with the opening of New Zealand's first commercial Concrete Innovation Lab, in Christchurch, South Island.

The Concrete Innovation Lab has been established to fast track the development of new concrete products and solutions with a particular focus on innovating to decarbonise concrete. The aim being to support customers as their building needs and specifications change in response to the need to build for climate change.

Dene Cook, Divisional Technical Manager, said "As an industry we have committed to decarbonising concrete, with the Global Cement & Concrete Association (GCCA), detailing a roadmap to net zero by 2050. Fletcher Building is excited by this challenge and the work we will do in the Concrete Innovation Lab will turn this from a paper commitment to a reality."

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