National Timber Group, Britain's largest timber merchant, is on the brink of breaking up as it faces insolvency, with notices of intent to appoint administrators filed for each part of the group. Established by Cairngorm Capital in 2018, the group consolidated several timber companies, including Thornbridge and Arnold Laver, but reported a pre-tax loss of £6.3 million on a £197 million turnover for 2023. Now controlled by Sylvan Span and led by CEO Mark Dixon, the group is in advanced talks to sell substantial parts of its business while seeking additional funding to stabilise operations.

Dubai-based developer Arada has acquired an 80% stake in the £2.5bn Thameside West development at London's Royal Docks, marking its second major investment in the city's residential market. The Foster & Partners masterplan includes at least 5,000 residential apartments over 47 acres, with 1,000 homes in the first phase starting construction in 2027. The project, featuring a kilometre of waterfront and extensive green spaces, aims to transform the former industrial site into a connected, sustainable neighbourhood with 35% affordable housing.

The House of Commons' Environmental Audit Committee argues that nature should not be scapegoated as a barrier to housing development, emphasising the need for sustainable practices in its report, "Environmental sustainability and housing growth". The committee criticises the Planning & Infrastructure Bill for insufficient measures to meet environmental and housing targets, highlighting severe skills shortages in ecology, planning, and construction. Recommendations include reducing VAT on retrofit projects from 20% to incentivise energy-efficient homes and revising tax policies to favour low-carbon housing, aiming to support the government's target of building 1.5 million homes by 2028.

A UK trial led by the Materials Processing Institute has demonstrated the feasibility of using recycled concrete fines (RCF) to replace approximately 20% of clinker in CEM II cement, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Conducted at Holcim UK’s Whetstone plant, the trial is part of the UKRI's 'Decarbonising Concrete' programme and involves key industry players like Mott MacDonald and Aston University. RCF, traditionally a waste product, is now poised to become a sustainable alternative, pending further testing and integration into British Standards BS 8500 by 2027.

Ascend Elements has secured a multi-year offtake agreement with Trafigura for 15,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate, to be delivered from 2027 to 2031. This partnership leverages Ascend's hydro-to-cathode technology to produce low-carbon lithium carbonate from recycled lithium-ion batteries, while Trafigura provides global marketing and logistics. The deal aims to enhance the supply chain for battery materials in North America and Europe, supporting OEMs in meeting circularity and compliance goals, and reducing carbon, cost, and geopolitical risks.

Simex is set to release the ART 1000 Gen II, an advanced attachment designed for zero waste asphalt repair, enhancing sustainable road maintenance. This second-generation technology enables in-situ regeneration, allowing for efficient, multi-tasking operations without the need for additional machinery. The ART 1000 Gen II is expected to significantly improve the efficiency and environmental impact of road repair projects, offering a streamlined solution for infrastructure professionals focused on sustainability.

The Monopoly Construction Edition – Deluxe Global Edition, the first trilingual construction-themed board game, features cards and spaces in English, French, and German, and introduces eight exclusive collectable tokens like the Liebherr LR 9800 mining excavator and Hexagon Leica Geosystems Total Station. Players can explore global construction landmarks such as the Grand Paris Express and HS2 while navigating industry-specific scenarios. Launched by The Construction Index, this edition aims to inspire interest in construction amidst a forecasted need for 216,800 additional skilled workers by 2025.

The New South Wales Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 has been approved by State Parliament, marking the most significant update to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in decades. This legislative overhaul aims to streamline processes for housing, jobs, infrastructure, and energy projects across the state. The reform is expected to enhance the efficiency of project approvals and align planning with contemporary demands, potentially accelerating development timelines and improving regulatory clarity for engineers and developers.

JCB's Fastrac 6300 has been awarded the 'Sustainable Tractor of the Year' at Agritechnica, the world's largest agricultural machinery show. This high-power tractor is recognised for its industry-leading features and performance, combining advanced technology with sustainable practices. The award highlights JCB's commitment to innovation in agricultural machinery, as the Fastrac 6300 sets a new standard in balancing power and environmental responsibility.