Peru: Union de Concreteras (UNICON) has signed an agreement with Germany-based INFORM to use its logistics software to enhance the efficiency and performance of its truck fleet. INFORM will use its experience with artificial intelligence (AI) and operations research to work with UNICON to improve the performance, responsiveness and sustainability of its fleet operations. The collaboration phase is underway, with operations expected to ramp up later in 2025.

“This partnership represents another important milestone in accelerating the adoption of AI across the ready-mix concrete industry in South America,” said Thomas Bergmans, Senior Vice President of INFORM’s Logistics Division. “By sharing our knowledge and proven methodologies, we’re enabling UNICON to strengthen its operational capabilities and adaptability in a competitive market.” INFORM’s AI methods are designed to evaluate large volumes of planning data in real-time, offering actionable recommendations that help companies optimise fleet deployment, improve service levels and reduce operational costs.

UNICON was established in 1996 and is part of the UNACEM group. With over 2000 employees and a fleet of more than 500 mixer trucks, the company has helped to build major infrastructure projects across Peru, including the expansion of the Jorge Chávez International Airport, and the construction of Lima Metro’s Line 2.

Ireland: Researchers at the Technological University Dublin are leading a project to assess the potential to reduce the amount of cement used in concrete blends in Ireland. Led by Dr Niall Holmes, Discipline Lead (Structural Engineering), the Alternative Irish-based Materials Suitable as Cementitious Binders project is partnering with numerous industrial partners – including cement producers Breedon and Mannok. It will assess the potential to use fly ash, calcined clays, recycled glass powder and imported slags to partially substitute for cement in concrete products.

The project has received funding from Construct Innovate, part of Enterprise Ireland, which is the Irish government’s enterprise development agency. As well as assessing the quantities of available alternative raw materials, the project will also advocate for the adoption of performance-based standards at the national and EU levels so that alternative concrete blends can be brought to market rapidly and be exported from Ireland to elsewhere in the EU.

The project is running from January 2025 until December 2025. Any party wishing to contribute should contact the publisher in the first instance.

US: Emerson City Council has approved the rezoning of 2 hectares of land in Emerson, Georgia. Local press has reported that the rezoning will allow Thomas Concrete Group to operate a ready-mix concrete batching plant there. Thomas Concrete’s website lists one existing batching plant in the area, in between Emerson and Cartersville.

India: Arisinfra Solutions has won a contract to supply ready-mix concrete, cement and other building products to Transcon Group for use in its projects in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The total value of products and services under the contract is estimated at US$39.4m, over a period of 45 – 50 months.