VASO Global has secured £5m from PXN Ventures, Scottish Enterprise, UK Research Innovation and Eco Group to accelerate development of structural composite panels manufactured from recycled glass. The funding will support scale-up of panel production and validation of load-bearing performance, targeting use in building envelopes and other structural applications where composites can replace steel or concrete elements. For engineers, the move signals growing investor confidence in glass-based composites as a lower-carbon alternative material, pending full structural testing and certification.

Lhoist North America and Martin Marietta Materials have agreed a definitive merger that will combine Lhoist’s lime and limestone operations with Martin Marietta’s aggregates and heavy building materials portfolio into a single North American minerals group. The deal brings together Lhoist’s industrial lime plants and kiln assets with Martin Marietta’s quarry network and rail-linked distribution terminals, creating a larger integrated platform for construction aggregates, chemical-grade limestone and lime products. For geotechnical and civil contractors, the combined entity is likely to influence regional pricing and availability of aggregates, armourstone and stabilisation lime on major infrastructure and mining projects.

VEGAPULS non-contact radar level sensors have replaced traditional silo weighing systems at Sto’s building materials plant to monitor raw material and finished product stocks in real time. Each silo is now fitted with a VEGAPULS unit mounted on the roof, providing continuous level measurement unaffected by dust, material build-up or varying bulk densities that previously distorted load-cell readings. The upgrade is aimed at tightening inventory control and supporting punctual deliveries of cementitious and other construction materials to infrastructure projects.