Norway: A team at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has shown the inadequacy of current methods for detecting pyrrhotite in aggregates used in concrete production. Pyrrhotite is sensitive to sulphate attack, causing degradation in concrete. However, current quality assurance methods, such as differential thermal analysis, optical microscopy and total sulphur measurement, fail to distinguish between pyrrhotite polytypes and concentrations. Concluding its paper published in the Construction and Building Materials Journal, the team instead recommended thermomagnetic analysis as a standard method. This measures magnetic susceptibility changes across heating cycles to identify and quantify pyrrhotite polytypes based on their magnetic transitions.

Malaysia: YTL Cement has received environmental product declarations (EPDs) covering products across its cement and concrete product ranges. An EPD is a third party-verified disclosure of a product’s impact throughout its full life cycle in line with international standards. The certification covers the company’s Grade 35 and Grade 40 ECOConcrete concretes.

UK: Laird Aggregates has submitted a planning application for a 30,000m³/yr ready-mix concrete plant at its Lochhead quarry in Forfar, Angus, Scotland. The plans involve the construction of three 19m-tall cement silos, five in-line hoppers, a conveyor system, tanks for additives and water and a control room. Local press has reported that the company plans to supply customers across Scotland from the upcoming plant.

Laird Aggregates’ parent company Laird Brothers is the leading supplier of precast concrete blocks in Scotland.

India: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to collect details of all ready-mix concrete plants in Haryana and verify whether they are complying with environmental norms. The NGT also directed the HSPCB to take action against any non-compliant plants.

The Tribune newspaper has reported that a joint committee including the HSPCB and local district magistrate previously found 21 ready-mix concrete plants operating in violation of environmental regulations near Dadlana, Panipat.