News

Following an unexpectedly strong performance at the end of 2018, UK sales volumes of mineral products across markets including aggregates, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete (RMC) and mortar declined in Q1 2019. Seasonally adjusted sales volumes for aggregates had the sharpest decline, down 4.2% compared to the previous quarter, followed by RMC (-4.0%), mortar (-2.8%) and asphalt (-1.9%).

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) results are in line with recently published trends in construction activity. In the

Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) has appointed Nicolas Rousseau as its new senior sales manager, Construction Equipment.

An international sales and key account manager with more than 20 years’ experience in B2B sales of large equipment, Rousseau brings to HCEE extensive knowledge of dealer networks and OEM equipment. In close cooperation with the Hyundai branches and European dealer network, he will be developing and implementing profitably commercial strategies. Rousseau will be based at HC

Building materials company LafargeHolcim has set up a venture client unit to become an early adopter of start-up technology solutions.

LafargeHolcim says the Maqer unit, which was set up at the end of 2018, will encourage the open innovation trend and link the heavy industry and tech sectors.

Maqer is inviting start-ups, technology providers, universities and players in other industries to exploit the potential of greater links and long-term partnerships between the two sectors.

As a venture client

Green cement’s global market value is forecasted to grow from US$21.42 billion in 2018 to US$43.59bn by 2026.

Reports & Data, a U.S. headquartered global business market intelligence consultancy, says the multi-billion dollar rise in green cement sector value will be fuelled by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during the 2018-2026 period.

The market is said to be primarily driven by the growing construction activities in emerging economies, increased use of alternative fuels from renewable

There have been a record 53 entries from 13 countries for the 2019 European Aggregates Association (UEPG) Sustainable Development Awards.

The tri-annual awards ceremony will be held on 20 November in Brussels. The awards highlight the European aggregates industry’s support of the principles of sustainable development and its commitment to operating with care and concern for the environment and for society as a whole.

The UEPG awards are intended to illustrate this commitment by promoting the spread o

Metso has won an order to deliver two Metso Truck Bodies to Boliden's Aitik mine in Gällivare, Sweden. In addition, Metso will supply rubber truck bed lining for five more haul trucks.

Boliden has been using Metso's rubber truck bed lining on half of their haul trucks for several years because of its numerous benefits in terms of working environment and maintenance. The company’s recent decision to invest in the new, complete solution, Metso Truck Body, will help Aitik mine maximise the performance of it

CRH is to continue its share buyback programme with a further tranche of up to a maximum of €350m.

The Irish building materials group has entered into arrangements with stockbroker/asset management company J&E Davy to repurchase ordinary shares on CRH’s behalf.

The buyback period will end no later than 16 August 2019. CRH completed the previous (fourth) phase of the buyback programme at the start of April. In total the programme has so far returned approximately €1bn to shareholders over the last 12

CRH is to continue its share buyback programme with a further tranche of up to a maximum of €350m.

The Irish building materials group has entered into arrangements with stockbroker/asset management company J&E Davy to repurchase ordinary shares on CRH’s behalf.

The buyback period will end no later than 16 August 2019. CRH completed the previous (fourth) phase of the buyback programme at the start of April. In total the programme has so far returned approximately €1bn to shareholders over the last 12

Metso has reported double-digit growth in both its sales and received orders in the first three months of 2019.

The Finnish headquartered global quarrying and mining equipment market manufacturer saw its sales rise 17% in Q1 2019 to €836 million (compared to €714mn in Q1 2018). Metso’s recorded an 18% increase in its received orders which totalled €1.013bn (€859mn in Q1 2018). The company’s EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation) in the quarter stood at €104 million, or 12.4% of sales (€

Metso has secured an order to supply crushing and material handling equipment for the first stage of Codelco's El Teniente copper mine expansion project located in Cachapoal Province in central Chile. The order was booked in Metso's first-quarter 2019 orders received.

El Teniente is the world's largest underground copper mine as well as the largest operation of the Chilean state-owned copper mining company Codelco. The expansion project called El Teniente New Mine Level is expected to add 50 years to the

Volvo Penta had much to get revved up about at the recent bauma 2019 exhibition in Munich, Germany. Aggregates Business editor Guy Woodford caught up with Björn Ingemanson, Volvo Penta president, and Andreas Viktorsson, Volvo Penta chief project manager, at the big global construction and quarrying machine show to get the inside track on what lies behind the ambitious Volvo Group company’s rapid growth in its off-highway engine sales.
Volvo Penta has increased its annual off-highway equipment engine sales