Materials



  • Crown Estate unveils two West End schemes

    The Crown Estate has unveiled two major West End redevelopments. Together, the Piccadilly and Glasshouse Street schemes will deliver 169,300 sq ft of upgraded commercial and hospitality space.


  • Premier Forest restarts Croespenmaen timber production

    Premier Forest is restarting timber manufacturing at its Croespenmaen site. The Welsh facility will produce, treat, store, and distribute fencing and landscaping products following the closure of SDL Sawmills.


  • ACO launches prefabricated rain garden inlets

    ACO has launched prefabricated inlet systems for urban rain gardens. Silt Channel and Silt Stone intercept sediment before runoff enters planted drainage areas, reducing erosion, clogging, pollutant loading, and maintenance demand.


  • Darwen Terracotta tests unfired clay materials

    Darwen Terracotta is testing unfired clay-based construction materials in Blackburn. The Poured Earth project is exploring lower-carbon options for selected building applications, rather than a universal concrete replacement.


  • EU issues construction chemicals cartel objections

    The European Commission has formally issued objections across construction-chemicals markets. Ten companies and three associations face allegations involving pricing conduct in France, Germany, and Spain.


  • Heidelberg advances Westdown quarry reopening

    Heidelberg Materials will reopen Westdown quarry in Somerset during 2027. The 160-million-tonne limestone reserve will support local supply while Whatley focuses on rail distribution.


  • EU steel quotas support Italian HRC prices

    EU steel safeguards are supporting higher Italian coil prices domestically. Weak demand continues to limit completed transactions and restocking.


  • Patrick Guest takes executive chair role at TDUK

    Patrick Guest has formally become Timber Development UK’s executive chair. The appointment strengthens commercial experience across its industry leadership.


  • BRCK diversification offsets subdued housing demand

    BRCK Group increased earnings despite weak housing-led materials demand conditions. Specialist fire, roofing, and efficiency work supplied stronger margins.


  • Ecocem proves ACT in full-scale precast production

    Ecocem has completed industrial-scale precast production trials using ACT cement. Full-size fire-resistant and insulated wall panels achieved a reported 67.5% carbon reduction without fundamental factory-process changes.