India: Researchers at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in Nagpur, Maharashtra, have shown in laboratory studies that an enzyme called urease found in watermelon seeds can strengthen cementitious materials and repair cracks in concrete. The Times of India newspaper has reported that the study found around a 22% increase in compressive strength, a 19% reduction in water absorption and improvements in durability. It is hoped that the food industry waste product could potentially be used to replace chemical admixtures commonly used in concrete production. Field studies are now set to follow.

Study leader associate professor Madhuwanti Latkar said, “Watermelon seeds are magic beans when it comes to importing strength to cementitious materials.”

Uruguay: The Administación Nacional de Combustibles, Alcohol y Portland (ANCAP) and the Administración de Ferrocarriles del Estado (AFE) have signed an agreement to exchange logistics services, materials and real estate. Under the deal ANCAP estimates that 380,000tt/yr of fuel and 390,000t/yr of cement and limestone can be transported by rail. The arrangement also includes: offering preferential transport rates to ANCAP; moving cement and limestone between ANCAP’s plants and quarries; conducting restorative work at ANCAP’s Queguay limestone quarry and its integrated Paysandú cement plant; and supplying rail ballast to AFE.

Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos is preparing to bid for some of LafargeHolcim’s assets in Brazil. However, the company is limited by local competition rules so it is unable to try and buy all of LafargeHolcim’s assets, according the Valor Economico newspaper. In a statement to Reuters, Votorantim said that it had not made a bid yet but that it was always open to new opportunities. LafargeHolcim was reported by local press in April 2021 as wanting to sell its assets in the country.

Philippines: Holcim Philippines says it is focusing on sustainability and invocation to its customers. At a virtual conference held in mid-June 2021, the building materials producer said that it is using more alternative low-carbon fuels and developing new products that contain less clinker. It added that builders could improve their carbon footprint by ensuring that structures are made with the right materials to meet strength and durability requirements without being overdesigned and that hardware stores could play a role in guiding customers to the correct building materials for their projects. The company is also working on its digital platforms to make customer transactions smoother.

“With our commitment to sustainability and innovation, we will develop the next generation of building materials that will help the country build better for the future. We want to continue to strengthen our collaboration with our customers to raise consumer awareness that these products support their aspirations for a greener and healthier Philippines," said Horia Adrian, Holcim Philippines’ president and chief executive officer.