Global Concrete News

Brazil: Eternit has launched Eternit Solar, a fibre cement photovoltaic roof tile, across Brazil. Local press has reported that the tile has a power capacity of 142Wp, compared to 15Wp for conventional tiles. It is fully compatible with conventional fibre cement roof tiles in roof construction. Eternit says that four to six tiles will provide sufficient energy for a single home. The company tested the product in partnership with the Energy and Environment Institute of the University of São Paulo (IEE-USP) and the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). It produces the Eternit Solar tiles at its Atibaia plant in São Paulo, but plans to subsequently build a dedicated plant.

Eternit president Luís Augusto Barbosa said "The commercialisation of Eternit Solar is an important step for the future of the company. While the concrete photovoltaic tile is aimed at a niche market, the fibre cement photovoltaic tile is intended for high-volume applications. It is a revolutionary technology that will benefit a larger section of the population due to its more accessible cost.” He concluded “Eternit is on the market to democratise solar energy.”

Europe: 12 decarbonisation-focused companies from across the European cement and concrete sector have launched the Alliance for Low-Carbon Cement & Concrete (ALCC). The alliance has called on policymakers to change building standards to help low-carbon alternatives to enter the cement and concrete markets. It further said that green procurement and targeted financing instruments would help to reduce sectoral CO₂ emissions. It said that a progressive decline in clinker factor to 60%, 50% or 40% by 2050 will reduce CO₂ emissions by over 50%. The ALCC says that it is ready to lead the sector towards a swift, low-cost and viable decarbonisation pathway. Participants in the alliance include France-based Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies, Ireland-based Ecocem and US-based Fortera.

Fortera's Europe director Thierry Legrand said "Climate action is a global priority, and collaboration is essential to advancing emissions-reducing technologies and policies. This alliance represents collective action by scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and environmental advocates to reduce CO₂ emissions from cement production."

India: Nuvoco Vistas has commissioned its new Vizag ready-mixed concrete batching plant in Andhra Pradesh. The facility will produce the company's Concreto and Artiste general purpose and decorative ready-mix concretes, as well as its InstaMix bagged ready-mix concrete. The cement company says that the new concrete plant is 'strategically located' to contribute to the transformation of the region into a hub for smart cities and industry. Projects Today news has reported that the Vizag batching plant is the second opened by the company, after another in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

India: Adani Cement subsidiaries ACC and Ambuja Cements have launched the Cement and Concrete Research and Development Facility at Kalamboli in Maharashtra. Dion News Service has reported that the focus of the centre will lie in product development, productivity enhancement and increasing the efficiency of cement and concrete production.

Adani Cement CEO Ajay Kapur said "Our new research and development facility is our reinforcement towards our collective commitment to pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and addressing industry challenges."

UK: Breedon Group has acquired concrete block producer Broome Bros., construction firm Minster Surfacing and concrete block and aggregates producer Robinson Quarry Masters. Breedon Group said that the businesses will strengthen its presence around Doncaster in South Yorkshire, in Antrim, Northern Ireland, and 'from the Midlands to London.'

CEO Rob Wood said “Many of our transactions come to us through our local knowledge and personal engagement with the owners. As a result, our active mergers and acquisitions pipeline has continued to yield high quality, earnings-enhancing opportunities that will enable us to progress our sustainable growth strategy." He added "Each of these independent family-run businesses is aligned with our vertically-integrated operating model, providing further opportunity to pull through upstream building materials while extending our downstream footprint to deliver profitable growth.”

Business Live News has reported that the group has also completed its transition to the London Stock Exchange from the AIM exchange. Breedon Group said that this will enhance its corporate profile by helping to attract greater international investment.