Global Concrete News

US: Equity firm Cordatus Capital has completed an investment in Texas-based Titan Ready Mix. Titan Ready Mix produces ready-mix concrete in Cresson, Springtown and Venus to supply the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area. Cordatus Capital says that it aims to accelerate the producer’s regional expansion, including through potential new acquisitions in North Texas.

Cordatus Capital partner Kevin Lippincott said "Although Titan is a relatively new entrant in the Dallas-Fort Worth ready-mix market, CEO Danny Paterson and chief operating officer Jeremy Briggs have already helped position it as the standard for delivering consistent, quality product on time and at fair value."

US: CRH subsidiary Oldcastle Infrastructure has acquired precast concrete company Cook Concrete Products. Cook Concrete Products produces and sells precast elements in California, Oregon and Nevada.

Oldcastle Infrastructure president Jason Jackson said "Adding Cook Concrete Products to our business fills a geographic gap, bringing manufacturing capability and product breadth that will enable Oldcastle Infrastructure to deliver more value to our customers in the region."

Oldcastle Infrastructure president, West Region pipe & precast and stormwater, Matt Clemson said "Cook Concrete Products has extensive market knowledge, established customer relationships and a solid reputation as a provider of high-quality products and outstanding customer service. The addition of Cook Concrete Products strengthens our solutions offering and better positions us as our customers' strategic partner of choice."

Algeria: China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and Cosider Travaux Publics have commissioned a new concrete railway sleeper plant in Tindouf. The Global Times newspaper has reported that the plant will supply the upcoming 575km-long Western Algeria Railway Mining Line project. The railway will conform to local European-based standards, while incorporating Chinese heavy-haul systems and materials.

General manager Xu Huaxiang said "This sleeper factory is the first standardised concrete sleeper plant built by a Chinese company in the Sahara."

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Readymix and Finland-based Betolar have launched two new reduced-CO₂ concretes, produced using ground granulated blast furnace slag and natural pozzolans with Betolar’s Geoprime technology. One of the products is cement-free and the other has an ultra-low (2.5%) cement content. TradeArabia News has reported that the dual launch concludes a successful partnership between the companies, which began in 2023.

Saudi Readymix technology and strategy director Chris Leptokaridis said "Saudi Readymix has been at the forefront of developing new technologies to meet our customers' increasing demand for eco-friendly, low-CO₂ solutions. Our partnership with Betolar has enabled us to successfully deliver on this goal, offering groundbreaking concrete recipes that significantly reduce carbon emissions."

Betolar senior researcher Ahmad Alzaza said "This project pushed the boundaries of innovation by bringing low-carbon technology into the ready-mix concrete space. We are proud to have contributed to a solution that will help advance sustainable construction across Saudi Arabia."

US: Novel concretes developer Greencraft has made a patent application for a new method of CO₂ mineralisation using a microporous material containing mineral oxides, like slag. Global Warming Focus News has reported that the method also works for natural hyaloclastite, bottom ash, fly ash, volcanic ash and lava.

Greencraft said that its method marks an ‘improvement’ in current techniques for sequestering CO₂ in alternative materials.