Astec Advanced Technologies Group: AI, simulation, extended reality

Sources: Astec Industries Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn.; CP staff Astec Digital, a recently launched subsidiary supporting automation and controls for the Astec Industries Rock to Road Solutions suite, has formed a new division focusing on artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced simulation, extended reality, plus research through academic partnerships. The Advanced Technologies Group will collaborate with aggregate, concrete, asphalt and construction product…

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CRH, Holcim commit $75M to Sublime Systems, Microsoft collaborator

Sublime Systems, Somerville, Mass. developer of an electrochemical process netting ASTM C1157-grade binder at lower carbon dioxide emissions levels than portland cement, is teaming with CRH Plc and Holcim Ltd. to advance a premier Sublime Cement facility in Holyoke, Mass. The global cement, aggregate and concrete producers’ $75 million Sublime Systems investment anchors a requisite financial commitment to the facility,…

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AggNexus Conference shows the value of optimal data interpretation

The premier AggNexus Digital Innovation Conference drew upward of 100 representatives of independent or multinational concrete, cement, aggregate and asphalt producers, along with their software and hardware partners. Staged last month on the University of Texas, Austin campus, it demonstrated how the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence models, coupled with data capture or analytics methods, are transforming construction material producer…

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Concrete Pipe Week amplifies industry’s ‘Proven’ value propositions

Sources: American Concrete Pipe Association, Irving, Texas; CP staff The American Concrete Pipe Association will present one virtual plant tour and three webinars during Concrete Pipe Week 2024, September 22-28, while saluting governors and other public officials who formally recognize concrete drainage structures’ contributions to quality of life. “Proven,” the theme of this year’s event, frames the four presentations ACPA…

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Command Alkon steps up automation, AI capabilities in Marcotte Systems deal

Command Alkon has acquired Quebec-based Marcotte Systems, noting how the combined companies’ expertise and talents will accelerate heavy building materials plant automation and production optimization, plus cloud applications and artificial intelligence developments for concrete, aggregate, asphalt, cement, bulk hauling and construction interests. “This acquisition underscores our commitment to accelerating innovation and customer service excellence,” says Command Alkon CEO Martin Willoughby.…

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Argos, CRH, Holcim pave path to Titan America Wall Street listing

Brussels-based Titan Cement International S.A. has informed investors of an initial public offering of shares in Titan America, which reported $1.6 billion in 2023 cement, supplementary cementitious material, aggregate and ready mixed concrete sales across coastal Mid-Atlantic and Southeast operations. With a projected early-2025 completion on a Wall Street exchange, the IPO would span a sizable stake in Norfolk, Va.-based…

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bauma 2025 organizers open Innovation Awards call for entries

Source: VDMA and Messe München, Munich bauma organizers are accepting Climate Protection, Digitalization, Mechanical Engineering, Construction and Research category entries through August 23 for an award program timed with the April 2025 installment of their global concrete, aggregate, construction and mining trade fair in Munich. The program is open to equipment, machinery, material and technology innovations that have premiered commercially…

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Inform AI-powered transport planning software drives fleet savings

Amid strong market conditions, cement, aggregate and concrete producers face logistics challenges ranging from unpredictable supply chain disruptions and driver shortages to new sustainability mandates for reducing carbon emissions in product transport and common variants. The latter include narrow delivery time windows, ad-hoc orders, and last minute cancellations. Then there is the matter of manual or spreadsheet-based planning processes, which…

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Arcosa Utility Structures to add Ameron Pole Products

Sources: Arcosa Inc., Dallas; CP staff  Aggregate, barge and utility structures producer Arcosa Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Ameron Pole Products LLC from Houston-based NOV Inc. The $180 million cash deal involves four Alabama, California and Oklahoma operations offering prestressed concrete or steel poles for a broad range of infrastructure applications, including lighting, traffic, electric distribution, and…

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BMC Enterprises becomes U.S. gateway for U.K. operator Breedon

Sources: Breedon Group Plc, Derby, United Kingdom; CP staff London Stock Exchange-traded aggregate, cement, concrete and masonry producer Breedon Group plans an early-March closing of a $300 million deal for St. Louis-based BMC Enterprises Inc. The transaction affords the suitor a North American market platform with 44 ready mixed concrete and five precast plants, plus five crushed stone and seven…

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