Saudi Arabia: Qanbar Ready Mix has run its first trial mix of concrete using Canada-based CarbonCure’s CO2 utilisation technology. The Eastern Province-based ready-mixed concrete producer conducted a full-scale plant trial in late December 2021 in Ras Al Khair Industrial City, according to Gulf Construction. Employees, customers from Saudi Aramco and engineers were present at the event. Concrete supplied from Qanbar Ready Mix’s batching plants will be used to supply projects at the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services.

Honduras: HN Ingenieros has commissioned a new kiln line at a cement plant in Honduras. The supplier says that the line had previously been inactive since 2002, and is now the country’s largest.

Japan: Taiheiyo Cement recorded consolidated sales of US$4.57bn in the first nine months of the 2022 financial year, down by 24% year-on-year from US$5.65bn in the corresponding period of the 2021 financial year. The group’s net profit in the period was US$256m, down by 20% year-on-year from US$322m. Dow Jones Institutional Newswires has reported that the producer forecast full-year sales in the 2022 financial year of US$6.15bn and a net profit of US$294m.

China: China National Building Material subsidiary Nanjing Kisen has signed a long-term collaboration agreement with France-based Schneider Electric. The partners plan to develop models for increasing operational efficiency, digitisation and sustainability. Alliance News has reported that they will establish a series of joint pilot projects. They plan subsequently to explore plant engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) opportunities outside of China together.