Australia: Researchers at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed a cement-free building material using cardboard, soil and water. The material uses recycled heavy cardboard cylinders as form-like confinement, creating comparable strength to that of high-performance concrete. By eliminating the need for cement, it reduces costs by 66% and embodied CO₂ by 75% compared with concrete, according to the developers. The ability of the material to be made on-site using local earth and water further reduce its transport costs and impacts.

Construct Connect Daily Commercial News has reported that the team are open to forming industry partnerships for the commercialisation of their new material.

US: A fire broke out at Simon's Ready Mix’s Scottsbluff, Nebraska, site on 9 January 2026, causing ‘substantial damage’ to a mixer truck there. Firefighters brought the blaze under control ‘minutes’ after arriving at the site, without any injuries. Local press has reported that the exact cause remains under investigation, however an initial investigation determined that the fire originated in the cab of the affected truck, and spread from there to the engine compartment.

US: Amrize has entered into an agreement to acquire ready-mix concrete and aggregates producer PB Materials Holdings. The West Texas-based company operates across 26 sites, including ready-mix concrete batching plants in Andrews, Barstow, Eunice, Hobbs, Kermit, Lovington, Lubbock, Monahans, Nobles, Odessa, Seminole and Stockton. It also commands 50 years-worth of aggregates reserves. It recorded sales worth US$180m in 2025. Amrize expects to complete the deal by mid-2026.

Holcim chair and CEO Jan Jenisch said "I am excited to be expanding our aggregates business to the high-growth West Texas region."

France: Holcim has acquired precast concrete producer Alkern, which operates 50 plants in France and neighbouring Belgium. The company recorded full-year sales of €250m in 2025. Holcim expects run-rate earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) synergies from the deal of €11m within three years. It advances the group's aim to derive 50% of group sales from its Building Solutions segment by 2030.

Holcim West Europe regional head Dragan Maksimovic said "Alkern's leading precast concrete offering in France, as well as its specifiable walling, flooring and water management systems, are highly complementary to Holcim's portfolio and will expand our high-value Building Solutions. We welcome Alkern's 1000 employees to Holcim."