France: Standards body Kiwa Innovation has certified Saint-Gobain's 3D concrete printing method. The company says that the independent certification confirms the effective performance of the process.
Australia: Boral has acquired Wallan Concrete’s dry mix concrete batching plant in Wallan, Victoria. The plant features four cementitious materials silos and 10 raw materials bins. Boral says that the purchase will support its service in Melbourne’s Northern Growth Corridor. It already operates another plant inside the growth corridor, at Wollert.
Executive General Manager, Concrete & Quarries South, Matt McKenzie said “The plant is practically brand new and Boral is very excited to have this great asset now part of its integrated operations. What is also important is that Boral is today welcoming new employees to the team.”
Ireland: Ready Mix Concrete (Ireland) has lost its appeal against paying a €36,000 contribution to Louth County Council’s Development Contribution Scheme. The Argus newspaper has reported that Ready Mix Concrete (Ireland) must make the payment in order to continue its storage, access and water management activities at the Ballaverty and Mullaghattin sand and gravel pit. The Irish planning appeals body, An Bord Pleanála, found that Ready Mix Concrete (Ireland) had not been double-charged for its use of the land.
The company reportedly has no plans to resume extraction at the site. It can now continue its current activities up to 22 November 2029.
US: Lafarge North America, a predecessor company of Holcim North America, has agreed to pay claimants US$5.4m for damages arising from alleged price-fixing of ready-mix concrete in Georgia and South Carolina between 2010 and 2016. Local ready-mix concrete purchasers, including Bremer Construction Management and floor systems supplier ProSlab, brought the claim against Lafarge North America and five other local ready-mix concrete producers: Argos Ready Mix, Coastal Concrete Southeast, Elite Concrete, Evans Concrete and Thomas Concrete of South Carolina – along with two of their parent companies: Argos USA and Thomas Concrete.
The court described Lafarge North America’s settlement as ‘fair, reasonable and adequate.’ It said that the figure covers 20% of all damages, as estimated by the claimants.
