Global Concrete News

US: COBOD says that construction of the largest 3D printed building in the US using its 3D printing technology has commenced at a site in Houston, Texas. The building is the country’s first two-storey residential building constructed using the method. PERI handled the order for contractor CIVE and architect HANNAH.

CIVE president Hachem Domloj said “Having the opportunity to be the engineers and general contractor for the first two-storey 3D printed structure in the US has been an honour. We can see how this technology and our team’s approach is providing the scalability to larger commercial developments. Collectively, we're changing the way our country builds, and paving the way for more affordable housing, higher structural integrity and faster building capabilities. The possibilities of 3D printing are endless!”

US: Argos USA has invested US$40m in 200 new ready-mix concrete mixer trucks, as the first phase of a five-year fleet expansion and replacement plan. The company says that the vehicles have a useful life of 8 – 10 years, or 53,500m³. It expects to make its next truck purchases in early 2023.

Argos USA ready-mix president Richard Edwards said "With the acquisition of these new assets, we continue our dedication to delivering extraordinary solutions to customers, helping facilitate the progress and development of the cities and communities where we have a presence. Our new trucks have a capacity of around 7.5m³ of concrete, are approximately 15% more fuel efficient than our previous trucks, and result in lower atmospheric emissions. They are also vehicles with the latest safety equipment, to continue ensuring the safety of our employees and everyone we share the road with daily."

UK: Cemex has bought 10 Volvo 460 8x4 tipper trucks for use at its Angerstein Wharf aggregates depot in Greenwich. From there, the trucks will deliver sand and aggregates all around London. The trucks’ bodies are made of lightweight aluminium, and they conform to Euro 6 emissions standards. This corresponds to 80% NO_x emissions reduction and 50% particulate emissions reduction compared to Euro 5 standards.

Cemex UK fleet engineering manager Nigel Ponton said “The addition of these new trucks to our fleet will enable us to better meet customer demand, safely and efficiently. Safety is the number one focus whenever we add new trucks to our operation and these Volvos tick every box in that respect.” Ponton continued “These trucks will all be working in busy streets across London so it’s imperative we provide our drivers with the best tools possible to do the job and help protect any vulnerable road users. Moreover, thanks to the improved fuel efficiencies and enhanced payload these new Volvos are the most sustainable vehicles we’ve ever had and will help decarbonise our delivery footprint.”

Germany: Dyckerhoff’s Dillingen ready-mixed concrete plant is the company’s first unit to be awarded the R module of the Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC). The unit has been using recycled aggregates in the standardised proportions and types since August 2021 and now customers and clients can have the certified sustainable concrete counted as part of building certifications. The recycled aggregate used in the Dillingen plant comes from a recycling company in the immediate vicinity, so there are no transport costs, which, in addition to the aspect of resource conservation, also contributes to the avoidance of transport-related CO₂ emissions.

Canada: Lafarge Canada has installed its first electric vehicle charging stations at its Kent Avenue ready-mix concrete batching plant in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company’s Vancouver team built the four stations with US$39,200 in funding from Lafarge Canada and US$15,700 in funding from BC Hydro’s CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle charger rebate programme. Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that the company plans to establish 96 further stations at 30 sites in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It says that the electric vehicle charging network will enable it to eliminate 188t of CO₂ emissions by 2028.

Lafarge Western Canada CEO Brad Kohl said "We are thrilled that Western Canada has opened the first electric vehicle charging stations to kick-start this exciting effort planned across our Canada operations to advance our goal of net-zero as part of our environmental commitments."