Lehigh White Cement parent builds out UHPC binder series

Italy’s Cementir Group presents the just-launched Aalborg InBind as a flexible white binder enabling manufactured-concrete producers to optimize ultra-high performance mix designs leveraging locally available materials. Based on FutureCem technology formulations—heavy on limestone and calcined clays—InBind supports the recently introduced InWhite Solutions packaged concretes and mortars. The binder is premiering in Europe with potential distribution in North America through Lehigh…

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SCM developer Purebase eyes California market in major-producer partnership

Natural resource-minded Purebase Corp. has entered a strategic partnership with a major integrated materials producer to commercialize an eco-friendly, supplementary cementitious material especially suiting the California market. The partners will test a kaolin clay-based SCM processed at Purebase’s pilot plant in Ione, Calif., where efforts to date have been concentrated on augmenting concrete mix designs calling for Type II or…

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Holcim to test electric powertrains in South Central tractor fleet

Holcim US has spec’ed Hyliion Hypertruck ERX electric powertrains for 10 tractors serving Texas and Oklahoma cement and concrete operations, plus sister roofing product businesses. Batteries powering the Hypertruck ERX draw from an onboard generator running on compressed natural gas (CNG) or renewable natural gas (RNG), consumption of which compares favorably against diesel fuel when measuring carbon dioxide emissions.  Holcim…

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Holcim invests in Blue Planet carbon dioxide-mineralizing technology

Holcim North America has taken a financial position in Blue Planet Systems Corp. of Los Gatos, Calif., joining three other marquee investors that have announced stakes in the carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) technology developer since 2020: Knife River Corp., Mitsubishi Corp. and Chevron. Their capital supports commercialization of a process that mineralizes carbon dioxide gas into synthetic limestone…

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CRH builds fencing platform with $1.9B Barrette Outdoor Living deal

Oldcastle parent CRH Plc is set to acquire Ohio-based Barrette Outdoor Living Inc., a leading player in steel, aluminum and vinyl fencing, railing, gate and accent products for residential and commercial applications. It sells and distributes through big box or independent home improvement retail channels and specialty outdoor product dealers.  “Barrette is an excellent addition to CRH,” says Chief Executive…

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Contractors’ annual workforce development outlays surpass $1.5 billion

Associated Builders and Contractors member contractors invested $1.6 billion to provide more than 1.3 million course attendees with craft, leadership and safety education in 2021, up from $1.3 billion in 2020. The group’s 2022 Workforce Development Survey quantifies the scope of member initiatives to advance their employees’ commercial and industrial construction careers. Safety education accounted for the greatest share, or…

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Concrete.ai developers project Q3 2022 software commercialization

Los Angeles-based Concrete.ai is preparing for general release of its pioneering data science platform, programmed to reduce costs and embodied carbon intensity (CO2e) in concrete construction. Ahead of the launch, the company is filling key management positions and executing a worldwide, exclusive license from the University of California, Los Angeles for the underlying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)…

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Programmers complete AASHTOWare Project, ForneyVault interface

Construction materials testing equipment and technology provider Forney LP is preparing release of a ForneyVault-AASHTOWare Project Construction & Materials interface to state departments of transportation. Linking its signature platform and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials software suite, the company notes, “Drives increased transparency, productivity and efficiency—especially pertinent for DOT labs today in light of the Infrastructure…

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National Cement blunts CO2 factor while doubling flagship mill capacity

Sources: National Cement Company of Alabama, Birmingham; CP staff Executives of National Cement of Alabama and Paris-based parent Vicat Group staged a July 21 dedication of a new production line at their Ragland, Ala. plant. A Kiln 2 ribbon cutting capped a two-year, $300 million project that brings annual Ragland capacity to 2 million tons and assures a sharp reduction…

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Reliance Supply investor acquires Innovative Concrete Technology

Source: Elvisridge Capital LLC, Beachwood, Ohio Private investor Elvisridge Capital has closed on Innovative Concrete Technology Corp., Florida-based producer of coatings, sealants, and systems that renew, protect, and beautify concrete and hardscapes. Alex and Tish Metrovitch, who founded ICT in 1996, will continue managing day-to-day operations and report to Elvisridge Capital Vice President of Landscape Products Jack Miller. 

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