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Cemex Ventures backs ObraLink
Written by Global Concrete staff
12 May 2022
Chile: Mexico-based Cemex has announced an investment by its venture capital subsidiary Cemex Ventures in concrete monitoring software supplier ObraLink. ObraLink’s software uses advanced thermal imaging to monitor the concrete hardening process at up to three times more measurement points than similar sensors, at a fraction of the cost. By enabling builders to remove formwork or moulds at precisely the right time, the software can reduce a project’s structural costs by 15%, according to the supplier. Its integrated platform automates the process, offering additional features via APIs.
Cemex Ventures head Gonzalo Galindo said "As pioneers in the construction industry's digital transformation, our mission is to seek innovative solutions that help boost productivity and efficiency. ObraLink's scalable technology is a perfect fit with Cemex's service offering, as it digitalises a currently manual process, improving both the efficiency of execution and completion time of a project. We look forward to working with them to further scale and develop the solution so we can deliver a superior customer experience enabled by digital technologies.”
Českomoravský beton acquires six Moravian read-mix concrete plants from Kámen Zbraslav
Written by Global Concrete staff
10 May 2022
Czech Republic: Českomoravský Beton has acquired six ready-mixed concrete plants and a sandpit in Moravia from Kámen Zbraslav. The plants have a total capacity of 85,000m3/yr. Českomoravský Beton says that they have a ‘well-established residential and commercial customer base’ in and around Brno.
Parent company HeidelbergCement says that the acquisition drives forward its portfolio optimisation programme. It now operates 80 ready-mixed concrete plants in the Czech Republic.
Vertua products to exceed 50% of Cemex’s sales by 2025
Written by Global Concrete staff
10 May 2022
Mexico: Cemex aims for more than 50% of its sales cement and concrete to consist of Vertua reduced-CO2 products by 2025. In the first quarter of 2022, Vertua concrete accounted for 31% of Cemex’s concrete sales, while Vertua cements accounted for 34% of its cement sales.
CEO Fernando Gonzalez said “The ultimate objective of our Future in Action programme is to provide our customers with net-zero carbon products and solutions. Our Vertua products are an important step in this direction, designed to meet society’s demand for resilient and long-lasting buildings and infrastructure built with a lower carbon footprint.”
Holcim acquires six aggregates quarries in France
Written by Global Concrete staff
10 May 2022
France: Holcim has acquired six new aggregates quarries in Eastern France from FAMY Group. The group says that the quarries serve the Dijon, Lyon and Geneva, Switzerland, markets. It previously acquired new aggregates and ready-mix concrete operations in the ‘growing’ region in 2021.
Europe, Middle East and Africa regional head Miljan Gutovic said “This acquisition expands our footprint in the highly attractive Rhône-Alpes region, confirming our ambition to revitalise key urban areas from Lyon to Geneva. This expansion is in line with our strategy to accelerate green growth and play our part in Europe’s net-zero transition. Our combined businesses and improved market access will provide an excellent platform to further strengthen our range of sustainable building solutions, such as ECOPact green concrete. I warmly welcome all FAMY Group employees into the Holcim family and look forward to unleashing our next era of growth together.”
Oscrete commissions expanded concrete laboratory
Written by Global Concrete staff
29 April 2022
UK: Oscrete has doubled its laboratory footprint after carrying out an expansion at its concrete laboratory. The upgrade consists of a new wet production area and New Product Development area. The additives producer said that it plans to use the increased space for on-site customer training. The company says that it is now on a ‘recruitment drive’ to develop its concrete technician team.
Technical and development manager Dean Clarke said “Expanding our lab is a key objective following our move into independence at the start of 2022, so we are delighted to now have more capacity, increased product innovation and the resulting need to develop our team. He continued “We are a company committed to delivering and problem solving for our customers, particularly during these exceptionally challenging times of supply chain disruption.”