26 December 2025
UAE: Holcim UAE has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fakhruddin Properties to jointly advance sustainable construction across the region. The agreement is the first MoU that Holcim has signed with a locally-headquartered building developer. Fakhruddin Properties intends to use sustainable building products to “…reduce both embodied and operational carbon, promote circular economy principles and scale practical sustainability solutions with full transparency.”
Fakhruddin Properties says it pioneered the country’s first in-building waste management system, diverting 90% of waste from landfills and is committed to delivering a ‘wellness-optimised lifestyle’ across its portfolio through the implementation of smart home and air purification technology and other energy-efficient initiatives.
US: Ash Grove Cement and the Nebraska Department of Transportation have tested a calcined clay blended cement product on a 4km stretch of road in the state. The product, Duracem N, was manufactured at the company’s Louisville Plant. It uses clay sourced locally in the region. The Louisville Plant was reportedly upgraded recently to convert a clinker kiln into a clay calciner. Improvements were also made to the milling process.
Full-scale production of Duracem N will begin early in 2026, with customer deliveries expected in mid-2026. The product has been approved for use by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, with further approvals forthcoming.
