Estonia: The Estonian Competition Authority has granted permission to Schwenk Eesti to gain a majority stake in ready-mix concrete producer Betoonimeister. Baltic Business Daily News has reported that Betoonimeister's six ready-mix concrete batching plants are located in Tallinn, Tartu, Johvi, Tapa and Parnu.

World: Cemex has announced the launch of new bio-based admixtures which offer CO2 emissions reductions of up to 70% compared to oil-based admixtures in its Asian, European and Middle Eastern markets. The range includes 10% reduced-CO2 IsoPlast Bio, 20 - 30% reduced-CO2 IsoFlex Bio plasticisers and superplasticisers and 50% reduced-CO2 IsoFlow Bio high-performance superplasticiser technology, as well as CO2-reducing IsoMill Bio grinding aids. The products will subsequently become available in other markets during 2023.

CEO Fernando González said “Innovation is at the core of our efforts to become a carbon neutral company and foster a more circular building materials industry." He added "Innovative admixtures aim to enhance concrete's sustainable attributes for our customers further.”

Canada: Lafarge Canada has signed an agreement with power provider TransAlta to recover and process fly ash from the site of the latter's decommissioned Edmonton coal-fired power plant. The project will use Ash-TEK's Ponded Ash Beneficiation System (PABS) fly ash beneficiation technology. The processed ash will then be able to replace up to 25% of cement in low-CO2 concrete production.

TransAlta previously secured with Lafarge Canada for the supply of renewable power to its Exshaw, Alberta, cement plant in February 2022.

Australia: First Graphene has partnered with Suvo Strategic Minerals to develop graphene-enhanced metakaolin for use in cement and concrete production. Metakaolin is a pozzolanic material derived from kaolinite clay. The partners believe that the technology has commercial potential to improve concrete performance and reduce CO2 emissions.

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