India: The Kerala state government’s Goods and Services Tax Department has uncovered alleged tax evasion in the state’s ready-mix concrete sector worth US$1.15m. The Hindu newspaper has reported that authorities raided 49 locations and discovered total hidden transactions worth US$6.46m.

New Zealand: Fletcher Building has reported its financial results for the first half of its 2025 financial year, which began on 1 July 2024. The group recorded sales of US$2.05bn, down by 7% year-on-year from US$2.21bn, and negative earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) at a loss of US$14.9m. It previously recorded a positive EBIT of US$44.1m in the corresponding first half of its 2024 financial year.

Fletcher Building’s Concrete division’s sales fell by 5% to US$307m and its EBIT fell by 30% to US$28.1m. The division’s capital expenditure targeted ‘asset renewal, quarry extensions and key in-flight initiatives,’ including the commissioning of Firth Industries’ new Auckland ready-mix concrete plant. Firth Industries underwent an overall ‘continued reduction’ in production and truck resources, in line with a reduction in its volumes.

Latvia: Heidelberg Materials Latvijas Betons says that it is on schedule to commence operations at its upcoming 20,000m³/yr concrete plant in Bauska on 1 March 2025. Nordic Daily News has reported that the plant will use recirculated water in its production.

US: The city council of Savage, Minnesota, has approved an interim-use permit for River's Edge Concrete’s upcoming ready-mix concrete plant in the city. The company plans to establish a 61,100m³/yr plant in the Prior Lake Aggregates gravel pit. Local press has reported that the interim-use permit will allow it to produce up to 22,900m³/yr of ready-mix concrete at the site.