Holcim is acquiring a majority stake in Peruvian building materials company Cementos Pacasmayo for approximately USD 1.5 billion, aiming to expand its presence in Latin America and accelerate growth in line with its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy. The deal is expected to be EPS and free cash flow accretive in the first year, with synergies of around USD 40 million by year three, and is subject to regulatory approval, expected to close in H1 2026.
Mycelium, the underground network of fungi, shows promise as a sustainable, biodegradable material for construction and packaging, with ongoing research focused on improving its durability and strength for real-world applications, potentially revolutionizing eco-friendly building practices.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed MOCHI, a transparent insulating material that can significantly reduce heat loss through windows by trapping heat while remaining nearly invisible, potentially transforming building energy efficiency and enabling more glass use in construction.
Lowe's plans to acquire Foundation Building Materials for $8.8 billion to enhance its distribution capabilities, digital tools, and cross-selling opportunities, with the deal expected to close in late 2025.
QXO, a building supplies company led by Brad Jacobs, is attempting to acquire GMS in a potential bidding war with Home Depot, which has also shown interest. QXO recently bought Beacon Roofing Supply and has made a $5 billion offer for GMS, while Home Depot is also interested. Analysts suggest QXO may be cautious in its bidding strategy, and the outcome remains uncertain, but QXO's stock has risen significantly this year.
Home Depot is set to acquire building materials supplier SRS Distribution in an $18.25 billion deal, aiming to expand its professional customer base amid slower consumer demand for home improvement projects. The acquisition will provide Home Depot with access to SRS' warehouse network and delivery fleet, allowing the company to better serve professional builders and contractors. This move reflects Home Depot's focus on driving sales and profitability by enhancing the customer experience, particularly for larger contractors who have faced logistical challenges with the company in the past.
In Palworld, Cement is essential for crafting defensive structures and higher-level Pal Spheres. To obtain Cement, players must reach Level 19 on the Technology skill tree and gather 50x Stone, 1x Bone, and 1x Pal Fluids. The best way to farm Cement is by building a Stone Pit and using Pals like Digtoise and Astegon to mine Ore efficiently.
The cost of building a new single-family home in the US has risen at an unprecedented pace due to the rising cost of land, labor, and building materials, according to a report by Bank of America. The US is short of at least 1.5 million housing units, and the cost of building materials has surged by 35% since the start of the pandemic. Despite the rising costs, builders are optimistic about future sales due to strong demand for new homes and low inventory. The biggest and most expensive component of a typical single-family home is framing lumber and engineered wood, followed by concrete for the foundation, windows, and doors.
Researchers at Manchester University have developed a new material called "StarCrete" for building habitats on the Moon and Mars. The material is made from potato starch and the dust found on the two planets, and has a compressive strength of 72 Megapascals, more than twice that of ordinary concrete. The researchers suggest that the material would be strong enough to withstand small meteorite impacts and protect inhabitants from cosmic rays. The material is also airtight and can be used to build lightweight, inflatable habitats.
