US: Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a carbon-negative building material using seawater, electricity and CO₂. The process mimics the development of mollusc shells and coral reefs, using electrical instead of metabolic energy, and injecting the necessary CO₂. Electrek News has reported that the resulting materials consist of a mix of carbonate and hydroxide minerals, including calcium carbonate.

Building materials producer Cemex reportedly contributed to the research.

Romania: Symmetrica says that it will complete construction of its upcoming €50m, 15,000m²/day precast concrete slab and paving stones plant in Bolintin-Vale in Giurgiu in mid-2025. Two solar power plants will together cover 60% of the plant’s power consumption. Three of four lines at the Bolintin Vale plant are reportedly already operational. Once completed, the plant will join nine existing Symmetrica precast concrete products plants and increase the company’s output of these products by 30%. The plant’s product range will include the Symmetrica Select collection of paving stones.

Romania Journal News has reported that Executive Director Sebastian Bobu noted the ‘challenging’ economic situation, but said that “Despite difficulties in the residential sector, we are seeing a clear trend towards higher-quality products, with consumers becoming increasingly attentive to durability, aesthetics and innovation.”

EU: Several strategic projects have commenced under a new EU critical raw materials plan to ensure the supply for one year of demand of 17 strategic minerals, including bauxite and graphite. Spain’s El País newspaper has reported that the plan requires the EU to raise its minerals extraction to 10% of consumption and its processing and recycling to 40% and 25% respectively.

The European Commission (EC) noted Spain as a leading producer of minerals, including gypsum, among EU member states. 30,000 employees work in the extraction of €3.5bn-worth of minerals from Spanish mines annually. Nonetheless, the country lacks processing capacity, according to the EC. It said that ‘social resistance’ over possible environmental effects is the main obstacle to the development of critical minerals infrastructure.

India: The Rajasthan government has imposed fines worth US$8.17m and registered three First Information Reports against illegal mines in Nagaur. The Business Standard newspaper has reported that most of the illegal mining in the district involve gravel or masonry stone.