Australia: Modular housing developer Built Living has secured US$172m-worth of new financing for its planned construction of a components plant at Neerabup, Western Australia. The plant will initially produce precast concrete slabs, core elements and wall panels, as well as façade systems. The Australian government will invest US$86.2m from the National Reconstruction Fund, while conglomerate Wesfarmers will invest US$14.4m. Meanwhile, the Western Australian government contributed a US$71.8m grant, along with land for the plant. Built Offsite News has reported that Built Living plans to begin building a 2000-unit/yr pilot plant at the site later in 2026.

The Australian government says that Built Living’s methods will reduce residential construction’s lead time by 20% and halve costs.

New Zealand/South East Asia: Concrete additives producer Neocrete has raised US$3.5m in a funding round led by returning investor Wavemaker Ventures, with participation from Icehouse Ventures and Temasek Trust vehicle Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H). Neocrete’s fly ash and volcanic ash-based additive substitutes for up to 50% of cement, while maintaining the strength, durability and workability of the resulting concrete. The company will invest the new finances in continued deployment across South East Asia and a planned European and US expansion.

Neocrete is supplying 65,000m³ of its additives for use in concrete mixes in Readymix Brunei’s redevelopment of Muara Port, Brunei. Readymix Brunei participated in the original pilot of production of Neocrete’s additive using locally-available refuse ash. It has poured 3700m³ of ash-blended concrete to date, eliminating 215t (25%) of CO₂ emissions. The Muara Port redevelopment will avoid a further 5200t of CO₂ emissions through the use of the additive.

India: Alternative binders developer CarbonStrong has raised US$1.31m in a seed funding round co-led by IAN Angel Fund and financial technology fund RainMatter. The proceeds will go towards construction and hiring for CarbonStrong’s first plant. The company is targeting a production capacity of 100,000t/yr by 2029.

CarbonStrong says that its alternative binders are capable of replacing up to 50% of cement in concrete.

UK/US: AI-based emissions registry Isometric has published a draft Low Carbon Cement Protocol for environmental attribute certificates (EACs) for cement and concrete. The protocol is designed to meet the integrity criteria of the Science Based Targets Initiative’s Corporate Net-Zero 2.0 standard. Isometric will hold a consultation on the draft until 21 September 2026.