Global Concrete News

Indonesia: Cemindo Gemilang says that its subsidiary Merah Putih Beton has begun injecting CO2 captured using direct air capture (DAC) into its ready-mix and precast concrete products. The producer said that the method enables it to produce concrete using 18% less cement. The Koran Jakarta newspaper has reported that Cemindo Gemilang obtained the DAC technology under licence from its Canada-based developer. It deployed it following six months of trials in late 2023 – early 2024.

Cemindo Gemilang’s commercial director, Surindro Kalbu Adi, said “In the future, we will implement a lot of new technologies. The goal is that our Red and White brand products will be better and the quality of buildings will be even better.”

India: Infra.Market has sold its minority stake in RDC Concrete, according to local press. Investor Nikhil Kamath led a US$20m funding round in the producer, including contributions from Capri Global Family Office, Sumeet Kanwar and Wear Steels. RDC Concrete previously divested itself of 10% of shares in RDC Concrete. RDC Concrete operates 100 ready-mix concrete batching plants in India. Infra.Market retains control of 100 ready-mix concrete plants through its other concrete subsidiaries.

Nikhil Kamath said "RDC Concrete has made remarkable progress in transforming the construction landscape in India with its ready-mix concrete. It is less polluting, expedites construction timelines, and significantly reduces waste and expense. We are actively seeking companies that ensure that India's growth and environmental sustainability progress hand in hand.”

Mexico: The government commissioned the 500t/day San Lorenzo-Tláhuac demolition materials recycling plant in Mexico City on 6 June 2024. The US$2.18m plant will produce 600m³/day of concrete, as well as concrete blocks at a rate of 2000/day. It will receive demolition materials from the Xochimilco Lagoon, where 14Mm³ was deposited following the 1985 Mexican City earthquake, as well as from current job sites in Mexico City.

Secretary of Works Jesús Esteva Medina noted that the San Lorenzo-Tláhuac plant is the first in public ownership, operating alongside privately-owned plants at Bordo Poniente and Miguel Hidalgo.

Bosnia & Herzegovina: Ingram commissioned a new €5.11m ready-mix concrete plant in Tuzla on 6 June 2024. The producer says that it has also begun the construction of a fully automated precast concrete products plant. Local contractor Bingo is responsible for both projects.

India: The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has issued a closure order to Pasura Tellapur Builders for an unauthorised ready-mixed concrete batching plant at Kollur in Telangana’s Sangareddy District. The New Indian Express newspaper has reported that the order follows an inspection based on complaints by local people. The inspection showed that the Kollur plant had violated the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and fell short of the mandatory distance of 200m from residential areas by 73%.