Cement News tagged under: construction

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Afrimat Construction Index reports 1.3% YoY decline

14 June 2024, Published under Cement News

Afrimat has released the findings of its Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) for the 1Q24 in South Africa. According to Dr Roelof Botha, the weak economic growth during the first quarter of the year was evident in the construction sector, with eight of the 10 constituent indicators of the ACI recording YoY declines and the ACI growth rate slipping to just below zero. The index recorded a level of 103.7 in the first quarter, compared to 117.3 in the previous quarter, and 105 in the 1Q23.  He ...

MPA sets out mineral priorities for the next UK government

06 June 2024, Published under Cement News

Following the announcement of a UK general election on 4 July, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) pushed out its seminal ‘Priorities for the Next Government’ document to party manifesto writing teams as well as key ministers, shadow ministers, other political leaders and advisers. The MPA document stresses that getting the policy framework right for producers of mineral products such as aggregates and concrete will directly help the next government deliver housing, renewable energy in...

Saint-Gobain continues Canadian expansion

05 June 2024, Published under Cement News

Saint-Gobain has completed its acquisition of the Bailey Group, a privately-owned manufacturer of metal frames for light construction in Canada. This forms part of Saint-Gobain’s expansion in the sustainable construction sector in Canada.  Founded 75 years ago, the Bailey Group posted revenue of CAD532m (US$389m) in 2023 and operates 12 manufacturing plants across the country. According to Saint-Gobain, the acquisition ensures it is “ well positioned to better serve Canadian custome...

Betolar scoops Finnish innovation award

12 April 2024, Published under Cement News

Betolar has won the Finnish Chemical Society’s Circular Economy Innovation Award in recognition of its chemistry business idea that offers both environmental and economic benefits.  Betolar's method, industrial waste and side streams can be converted into low-carbon building materials for the needs of mining and construction. This geopolymer-based building material can reduce the carbon footprint by using standardised industrial side streams, such as fly ash and blastfurnace slag. Produc...

SCG to develop biochar-infused cement

09 April 2024, Published under Cement News

Siam Cement Group (SCG) is collaborating with Biochar Life, a pioneer in biochar technology for environmental sustainability, to develop biochar-infused cement and other sustainable building materials. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that targets four areas: innovative development, supply chain integration, research and sustainability, and smallholder impact.  The collaboration will involve the launch of a pilot project at Chiang Mai University for the ...

Saint-Gobain acquires Canada-based Bailey Group

09 April 2024, Published under Cement News

Saint-Gobain has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of The Bailey Group Companies, consisting of Bailey-Hunt Ltd and its subsidiaries, a privately owned manufacturer of metal building solutions for light construction in Canada, for CAD880m (US$651.8m) in cash. Bailey is a leading player in metal framing in Canada, posting sales of CAD532m in 2023. With a 75-year history, it operates 12 manufacturing plants across Canada and has been a long-standing partner of Saint...

Funding boost for Peruvian construction sector

08 April 2024, Published under Cement News

International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have provided the final tranche of a US$400m financing package to global finance group BBVA in Peru with the objective to promote sustainable construction and energy efficiency projects in the country. The first part of the financing, carried out in June 2023 by IFC, was for US$150m.  The financing package from IFC and JICA will allow BBVA to strengthen its loan portfolio for sustainable constr...

Holcim acquires concrete construction systems specialist Tensolite

05 April 2024, Published under Cement News

Holcim has signed an agreement to acquire Tensolite, a leading manufacturer of innovative precast and pre-stressed concrete construction systems with US$22m of net sales in 2023 and a strong presence in fast-growing Latin American markets. With plants and a distribution network across Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, Tensolite will expand Holcim’s Solutions & Products portfolio and strengthen its geographical footprint. Oliver Osswald, region head Latin America, said: “By acquiring Ten...

South African construction index expands

04 April 2024, Published under Cement News

Afrimat has released the findings of its Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) for the 4Q23. The ACI is a composite index of the level of activity within the South African building and construction sectors and is compiled by economist Dr Roelof Botha on behalf of Afrimat. According to Dr Botha, the lethargy of the economy as a whole during the fourth quarter of last year was evident in the construction sector, with five of the 10 constituent indicators of the ACI recording QoQ negative real gr...

AfriSam annual budget discussion centres on sluggish construction sector

05 March 2024, Published under Cement News

AfriSam recently gathered its stakeholders for its Annual Budget Breakdown event in Johannesburg, to hear insights on the construction sector and budget speech.  Econometrix Chief Economist, Dr Azar Jammine, highlighted that the South African construction and building industries were still in the doldrums, with little sign of emerging from it soon. Dr Jammine pointed to the low economic growth rate and the poor level of gross fixed capital formation as the key culprits for the situation...