Global Concrete News

Palestine: Israeli occupying forces have reportedly demolished 38 ready-mix concrete plants in the Gaza Strip since entering the territory on 7 October 2024. The Middle East Monitor newspaper has reported that forces struck the sites from the air before bulldozing them.

A local ready-mix concrete company director said "We previously faced challenges from Israel in establishing these plants, and the response process was very slow. Our estimates indicate that the cost of establishing one plant ranges between US$1 – 3m, in addition to the costs of equipment.” The director concluded “Every item of equipment represents a challenge for us.”

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."

Saudi Arabia: Al-Kifah Precast says that it is preparing to expand into other Middle Eastern countries, having more than tripled its sales since 2020. CEO Ehab Abu Salim says that the producer was a strategic supplier of precast concrete for Red Sea Global’s Red Sea Project in Tabuk Province, and now aims to support other major projects like the Neom new city and Amaala resort, also in Tabuk Province. Gulf Construction News has reported that the company has invested in research and development to establish best practices, as in its partnership with a UK-based company to produce marine concrete elements. It has reduced its CO₂ emissions through the use of alternative materials such as fibreglass, steel rebar and pozzolans.

Abu Salim said “Having a facility in the Red Sea Project was a strategic move. The plant produces all types of precast elements and we are also looking to improve the facility. We have an expansion planned; very soon it will be serving the entire region." He added “Precast technology helps to speed up projects, is more sustainable, offers higher quality, and the price is on par and sometimes even lower than using traditional construction solutions.”

Estonia: Germany-based Schwenk has acquired all outstanding shares of Betoonimeister. Baltic Business Daily News has reported that the concrete producer will continue operations under its existing name and management structure.

Betoonimeister general director Kalle Suitslepp said that the sale continues the companies’ existing collaboration, which began in February 2023, when Schwenk acquired 66% of shares in Betoonimeister.

Schwenk managing director Sergei Mironov said "Vertical integration is part of Schwenk's business strategy in all markets and we are pleased to see Betoonimeister fully joining our family as of today."

India: The Haryana Forest Department has reclaimed 1.2 hectares of woodland in Basai, Haryana, from the Gurgaon Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). The Times of India newspaper has reported that the GDMA had allotted the land to a proposed ready-mix concrete plant project. The land was reportedly subject to no official agreement as to its use, raising fears of unlawful development.

The Haryana Forest Department said "The reclamation of this forest land is a significant conservation effort for Gurgaon. It sends a clear message that the protection of natural habitats is top priority for us and no kind of encroachment on protected land will be tolerated."