Recent developments
Low-carbon materials
Bio-based and lower-carbon materials advanced. BASF launched WALLTITE RSB spray polyurethane foam using recycled and renewable inputs, with a manufacturer-specific EPD. The EIB approved a €20 million loan to Aisti to scale bio-based acoustic tiles via a Kitee plant targeting 2.5 million m2/year. Hunton Fiber secured an eight-year power agreement with Statkraft for its Gjøvik wood fiber insulation factory.
Cement decarbonization
Decarbonization pathways in cement progressed. Worley was selected to deliver the UK's first full-scale carbon capture facility at Heidelberg Materials’ Padeswood plant, designed to capture about 800,000 tCO2/year. Holcim expanded circular construction with acquisitions in the UK, Germany, and France to scale demolition-material recycling and ECOCycle technology, adding roughly 1.3 Mt/year processing capacity.
Regional expansion
Market positions shifted. Holcim agreed to acquire a majority stake in Cementos Pacasmayo for about USD 1.5 billion, adding 5 Mt/year capacity, 28 ready-mix and precast sites, and retail channels in Peru, with projected EBITDA synergies of ~USD 40 million by year three. BASF and OQEMA formed a distribution partnership for polymer dispersions and additives across Central and Eastern Europe.
Data and compliance
Data and compliance strengthened. Evonik published Environmental Product Declarations for PROTECTOSIL BHN and CIT via IBU, supporting project life cycle assessments and anticipated EU Construction Products Regulation requirements. Wider use of EPDs and verified biobased or recycled content, as seen with BASF’s insulation system, aligns construction chemicals with public and private low-carbon procurement criteria.