Global Concrete News

Saudi Arabia: City Cement subsidiary Nizak Mining Company has entered talks with UK-based calcined clay producer Next Generation SCM about a possible joint venture. The proposed joint venture will build a reduced-CO₂ concrete plant in Riyadh, with further such plants to follow. TradeArabia News has reported that commercial-scale production will commence in mid-late 2025, with an initial target capacity of 350,000t/yr.

City Cement CEO Majed Alosailan said "This joint venture is a significant step in our commitment to the continued growth of Saudi Arabia as a global materials and infrastructure hub. Not only will it support domestic job creation, it will also dramatically improve accessibility to critical low-carbon materials that we will soon be able to export around the region. As the materials transition continues to accelerate, finding solutions that support the Kingdom’s infrastructure ambitions hand in hand with sustainability targets is essential to realise the opportunity ahead."

Next Generation SCM CEO Christian Husum said "There are over 4bn people who live in urban areas right now, and that is going to increase by 2bn over the next 30 years. This is a massive, global building project, which is equivalent to building an additional New York City every month. Those cities will also need the infrastructure to cope with an influx of people and there is no way to do that without concrete. There is also no way for our planet to cope with concrete production at that scale unless we find a way of producing it without generating enormous amounts of carbon emissions. Now, there is a way. This joint venture will put the process into practice to bring about a revolution in how we build everything from stadiums to skyscrapers in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and then the world.”

Australia: Aggregates and ready-mix concrete producer Doyle Group has expanded its fleet of ready-mix concrete trucks to 12. Local press has reported that the fleet supports a recently commissioned US$1.68m ready-mix concrete plant in Townsville, Queensland.

Aiden Wherry, raw materials manager at Doyle Group subsidiary CAMM Quarries, said "We want to supply local jobs and keep local jobs going. We are the only local supplier in town."

Saudi Arabia: Ready-mix concrete producer Asas Al-Mohileb has secured a contract with the development company for the upcoming Neom new city in Tabuk Province. Asas Al-Mohileb will build a US$186m, 20,000m³/yr ready-mix concrete production complex at the Neom site, to supply concrete for the Line commercial and residential development in the city. The ‘high-tech’ complex will begin to produce concrete in November 2024. When fully operational in 2025, it will employ 500 people.

Construction of foundations for the Line is currently underway, with 1000 of an eventual 30,000 precast concrete piles already in place.

Asas Al-Mohileb CEO Sulaiman Al-Mohileb said “This partnership emphasises our firm commitment to advancing economic growth in the Kingdom by employing the latest technologies and innovative construction solutions. We are dedicated to adopting sustainable practices that align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focus on empowering the manufacturing sector and enhancing its role in driving the Kingdom’s broader development objectives.”

Neom CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr said “The delivery of these concrete plants is another testament to the rapid progress happening at Neom. It also underscores the strength of the kingdom’s construction industry, and the critical role local partnerships play in delivering this transformational project efficiently and sustainably. We are proud to partner with local contractors and appreciate their contribution to Neom’s advancement across our portfolio of projects, fulfilling Neom's goal of becoming a hub for local industry leaders and entrepreneurs in support of Saudi Vision 2030.”

Australia: Ready-mix concrete producer Baines Concrete says that it will shut up shop in October 2024, ending its 45 years’ service to the construction sector in Woonona, New South Wales. Local press has reported that the producer took the decision to close based on the present economic climate. Allied company Baines Masonry Blocks will continue to operate its Appin block and paving products plant.

General manager Bill Hudson said "Despite our best efforts to sustain the business, the ongoing economic conditions have forced us to make this difficult decision. Our primary focus is to ensure a smooth transition for our clients, suppliers and partners alike. We are committed to fulfilling any outstanding obligations to the best of our abilities before the closure date."

US: Premier Concrete Products is expanding its Livingston Parish concrete plant in Louisiana with the construction of a new concrete pipes production unit. The company plans to invest US$10m in the line. It will employ 33 workers when operational later in 2024. It will be equipped with an automated concrete batching system, ‘high-level’ curing equipment and overhead cranes.

President Cody Colvin said “We are excited about the partnership we have with the Livingston Parish community.” He added, “This expansion will add jobs and will serve to satisfy a shortage of precast concrete infrastructure that currently exists in Louisiana and the Southern US. We are very excited to work with Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte and the whole Livingston community.”