Ireland: Tipperary County Council has conditionally approved Seamus Ryan Sand & Gravel's plans for a new ready-mix concrete batching plant at Ballybeg, near Toomevara. The approved site comprises 3.3 hectares of an existing sand and gravel quarry. Tipp FM News has reported that one local resident appealed to planning authorities over the decision, citing anticipated rises in noise and traffic volumes.
Canada/Italy/Peru: Saint-Gobain has acquired Canada-based concrete pigments producer Interstar Materials, Italy-based cellular concrete additives producer Isoltech and Peru-based concrete admixtures producer Soquimic. The companies generated combined sales of €25m in 2024.
Saint-Gobain noted the alignment of the acquisitions with its Grow & Impact diversification strategy towards increased leadership in global light building materials.
Switzerland: Sika recorded sales of €6.09bn in the first half of 2025, down by 3% year-on-year. It noted foreign currency impacts, including a weak US Dollar, offsetting ‘modest’ local sales growth across its operations. Organic growth was 1% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 1% in the Americas region and 2% in the Asia/Pacific region, with a 1% acquisition effect globally. Group earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were €1.15bn, down by 2% year-on-year. Sika expects to record full-year sales growth in local currencies in 2025.
During the first half of 2025, Sika acquired Singapore-based green roof supplier Elmich, UK-based for roofing products supplier Cromar Building Products, US-based finishing materials and waterproofing producer HPS North America and Qatar-based concrete admixtures, mortars, flooring and waterproofing producer Gulf Additive Factory. It opened new plants in Brazil, China, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Singapore.
Romania: Sika Romania has launched a new €1.5m concrete additives production plant in Corlătești, Prahova County. The plant incorporates systems for the recovery, treatment and reuse of concrete and water.
Switzerland-based Sika’s Eastern Europe Regional Head Ileana Nicolae said "The investment in Corlătești marks a concrete step in our regional expansion and in streamlining our operations in Eastern Europe. Romania has a strategic position in this network, and the new unit gives us the flexibility needed to better respond to the increasingly dynamic demands of the construction market."
