UK: FP McCann Group has acquired Country Antrim-based precast concrete producer Macrete Ireland. The Irish News has reported that Macrete Ireland's Ballymaguigan plant has integrated into FP McCann's network of 10 other precast concrete plants in Northern Ireland.
FP McCann reportedly says that it is the largest precast concrete producer in the UK, with nine further plants operating in Great Britain. It announced a €107m investment in capacity expansion across its operations in August 2024.
Malaysia: Urban Empire Builders says that it has commissioned a new precast concrete plant to serve the on-going Kuching Urban Transportation System public infrastructure project in Kuching, Sarawak. The Sarawak Tribune newspaper has reported that the plant will supply precast concrete elements for construction of the 12.3km-long Red Line railway, of which 6.3km will be elevated.
Finland/Germany: Finland-based Carbonaide has cured 1kg of concrete with CO2 captured using NeoCarbon’s direct air capture (DAC) method. The partners blended the CO2 with other CO2 from biogenic sources. They said that the project, called NeoDuo, successfully demonstrated concrete production with 50% reduced CO2 emissions, and can also be used to produce carbon-negative concrete when cement is substituted with alternative binders.
The companies plan to scale this technology to achieve 1000t of CO2 sequestered by 2026. They are reportedly on track to begin providing carbon removal credits to customers later in 2025.
US: Canada-based CarbiCrete has launched its CarbiFlo cement-free paving grids in the US market. It says that CarbiFlo paving grids allow permeation for stormwater runoff and soil stabilisation. Maine-based retailer Gagne & Son will distribute the product.
