Displaying items by tag: digitisation

US: Heidelberg Materials North America has won up to US$5m from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the development of a web-based tool to generate environmental product declarations (EPDs) for ready-mix concrete and other building materials. The finances are part of a total US$160m in EPA funding for the decarbonisation of building materials.

Heidelberg Materials North America president and CEO of Chris Ward said "With this funding, Heidelberg Materials can accelerate the push for more sustainable construction materials and transparency across the industry, while also helping our customers make more informed decisions when choosing products with a lower carbon footprint."

Canada: US-based Command Alkon has acquired concrete digitisation specialist Marcotte Systems. Command Alkon says that the acquisition will accelerate its deployment of cloud applications and automation software.

Marcotte Systems CEO Joel Bardier said "Joining forces with Command Alkon marks a significant milestone, not only for our company, but for the heavy building materials industry as a whole as it will drive the next generation of fully automated plant solutions.”

Command Alkon CEO Martin Willoughby said "Combining Marcotte’s plant automation solutions with Command Alkon’s Command Cloud platform will deliver enhanced value to customers, supporting their efficiency and sustainability goals."

Ireland: Construction company Harcourt Technologies used COBOD's gantry-mounted 3D for a three-unit social housing development in Dundalk, County Louth. Voxel Matters News has reported that the equipment reduces construction times by 67% and labour requirements by 33% for projects of this kind. Delivery of the homes is scheduled for October 2024.

Harcourt Technologies’ managing director Justin Kinsella said "It’s like building a concrete block wall, but the machine lays 50mm layers instead of manual placement. As architects and engineers, we design the building digitally, and the model guides the printer to extrude the material layer by layer."

Ukraine: ONUR Group’s concrete products subsidiary EFE has announced a new US$15m investment in its operations in Ukraine. Ukraine Business News has reported that EFE is paying ‘special attention’ to automation within its investments.

CEO Erhan Oztop said "Although we were able to increase our staff by 30% after 24 February 2022, the need for new employees remains. This motivates us to make large investments in the automation of production processes."

EFE produces ready-mix concrete, reinforced concrete products and paving slabs in Ukraine. It inaugurated two new ready-mix concrete plants in 2023, raising its production capacity to 800m³/hr.

UK: CRH subsidiary Tarmac has partnered with sensors specialist Converge to launch predictive AI-enhanced sensors for use in concrete mix optimisation. The equipment can reduce reliance on traditional cube testing, helping to shorten construction timelines. The sensors are available to all Tarmac customers.

Tarmac ready-mix concrete head Andrew Campling said "This new partnership with Converge means we can offer even more innovations to customers as part of our lower carbon CEVO concrete brand. Alongside other solutions, including our new online carbon calculator and the easy-to-use CEVO rating system, we're providing our customers with the tools to help them reduce carbon on construction projects."

Converge CEO Raphael Scheps said "The pairing of CEVO with Converge's sensors and AI technology is a perfect match for concrete decarbonisation. By packaging our technology with Tarmac's low embodied carbon mixes, contractors can build sustainably with the confidence that they're getting all the performance they need. We're proud to be partnering with Tarmac to offer leading AI solutions to the construction industry."

Germany/North America: INFORM has announced new collaborations with two other software developers for the ready-mix concrete sector. US-based BCMI Corp and Canada-based Marcotte Systems will work with INFORM to develop AI tools for despatching ready-mix concrete.

INFORM senior vice president Thomas Bergmans, who concluded the deals at World of Concrete in the US, said “In addition to offering our proven AI-powered transport planning and execution software, we are very excited to see that these collaborations will further speed up the wide-spread use of our AI algorithms beyond our traditional markets.” Bergmans said that the collaboration with BCMI Corp will provide ready-mix producers with ‘enhanced decision-making tools, real-time logistics optimisation and intelligent automation, ultimately elevating operational performance and customer satisfaction.’ Regarding the collaboration with Marcotte, he said “By combining Marcotte's robust experience in concrete production management with INFORM’s AI capabilities, this ready-to-use solution will empower ready-mix producers.”

Israel: Cemex subsidiary ReadyMix Industries has placed a new order with transport safety technology supplier SaverOne 2014. The ready-mix concrete producer ordered a further 25 mobile phone control units for its truck fleet. The units are cloud-enabled and run off a mobile app which blocks drivers from using phones when their vehicle is in motion. The smart system can detect when a truck is stopped and differentiate between driver and passenger, enabling access when needed. Users can integrate their fleet's units with existing logistics management systems.

ReadyMix Industries completed a successful trial of SaverOne 2014's system earlier in 2022.

Austria: PERI and STRABAG have used a COBOD 3D printer to successfully build Europe’s first 3D printed office building in Hausleiten, Lower Austria.

PERI board member for innovation and marketing Thomas Imbacher said "The building in Hausleiten is a milestone for STRABAG, for PERI, for all involved. We are convinced that 3D printing of buildings will be part of the future of construction, as this technology offers solutions for challenges that are currently occupying our industry: digitalisation, efficiency, shortage of skilled workers and much more."

India: ACC has launched its new Concrete Direct app for booking and live tracking concrete deliveries. The producer says that the app reduces operational follow-up calls.

Managing director and CEO Sridhar Balakrishnan said “At ACC, we recognise the need to improve and lead through digitalisation. We are happy to launch Concrete Direct, a premium digital tool that saves time and money for our customers. With such innovations, we want to enhance customer experience and build a strong ecosystem of partners to support them.”