K-GX Strategy Supports Industrial Decarbonization

K-GX runs from 2026 to 2035 and targets emissions-intensive sectors, including steel, petrochemicals, refining, cement, semiconductors and displays. Government materials say the strategy aims to mobilize approximately 1,000 trillion won in public and policy-backed financing, including 200 trillion won in fiscal resources and more than 790 trillion won in climate finance. Signature projects involving private-sector investment are valued at approximately 220 trillion won.

HyREX Technology Replaces Coal-Based Reduction

POSCO’s HyREX process builds on its fluidized-bed ironmaking research and FINEX technology. Conventional blast furnaces use coke to generate carbon monoxide, which removes oxygen from iron ore and releases carbon dioxide. HyREX instead uses hydrogen in the reduction process, producing water vapour. The resulting direct-reduced iron can then be melted in an electric arc furnace, offering an alternative to coke-based steelmaking.

Demonstration Facility Planned for 2028

The demonstration facility is planned for steelmaking sites in Pohang and Ulsan, with an annual capacity of 300,000 tonnes and operations targeted around 2028. The project is expected to use existing utilities and hydrogen supply chains while supporting domestic equipment manufacturing and industrial employment.

Government materials identify coordination among the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and five policy-finance institutions as important to implementation. Financial support is expected to help address investment risks during the demonstration phase.

Renewable Energy and Export Competitiveness

The initiative aligns with South Korea’s goal of reaching 100 gigawatts of renewable-energy capacity by 2030. Expanded renewable power, grid upgrades and storage could help provide electricity for low-emissions hydrogen production. The hydrogen steelmaking process could reduce emissions when supplied with low-carbon hydrogen and electricity, supporting national climate objectives and export competitiveness as international buyers increasingly seek lower-carbon steel.

POSCO Holdings has also set a broader target of scaling hydrogen-reduction steel capacity to 2.5 million tonnes by 2035. Progress will depend on hydrogen availability, technology performance and financing. An RMI analysis cited in the supplied material indicates hydrogen-based steel may remain more expensive than conventional blast-furnace steel, making public loans, guarantees and incentives relevant to early deployment.

The UAE’s largest private steelmaker and recycler announced the results at the headquarters of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group). The announcement was attended by Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO of KEZAD Group; Asam Hussain, Founder and CEO of AGSI; and Ayhan Tugrul, Chief Operating Officer of CARES.

AGSI recorded a carbon footprint of 139 kg CO₂e per tonne for rebar produced in Abu Dhabi and 218 kg CO₂e per tonne at its Sharjah operations. Both results are below the nearest comparable publicly available Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) figure of 300 kg CO₂e per tonne. They are also lower than the typical 600–700 kg CO₂e per tonne associated with scrap-based rebar, according to the company’s announcement.

The figures have been independently verified against recognised international standards through the CARES EPD programme. The assessments cover the production process from raw materials to the factory gate. The corresponding Environmental Product Declarations are available on the CARES website. Comparisons between EPDs require consistent assessment rules, measurement methods and production boundaries.

Independent Verification Supports Carbon Reporting

The verified results provide construction industry stakeholders with product-specific data to assess embodied carbon, which refers to greenhouse gas emissions associated with materials across their life cycles. Developers, contractors, consultants and regulators increasingly rely on such information when evaluating materials for construction and infrastructure projects.

Asam Hussain, Founder and CEO of AGSI, said, “This is a defining achievement for AGSI and for the UAE steel industry. Low-carbon steel production is no longer a future ambition. It is measurable, verified and being delivered today. Our 2024 carbon-neutral plant milestone established the direction of our journey, and this EPD takes that progress further, setting a new benchmark for what can be achieved in low-carbon steel production. We set out to push the boundaries for steel decarbonisation, and we will continue to challenge what is possible.”

Abdullah Al Hameli, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Cities and Free Zones at AD Ports Group, added, “AGSI’s achievement is a significant milestone for Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector, establishing the company as a world leader in steel decarbonisation and adding to Abu Dhabi’s standing as a global hub for advanced industry. It’s a strong example of the level of performance that manufacturers operating within KEZAD can achieve. KEZAD provides the infrastructure, utilities, logistics access and long-term operating base that manufacturers need to grow and invest. AGSI’s success highlights the strength of Abu Dhabi’s industrial base in enabling companies to advance efficient and lower-carbon production and compete at the highest levels internationally.”

Ayhan Tugrul, Chief Operating Officer of CARES, also added, “AGSI’s reinforcing steel is already certified to the CARES scheme for quality and traceability, and this independently verified EPD now sets out its product carbon footprint on the same rigorous basis. Verified, product-specific data of this kind is what allows designers, contractors and asset owners to make sound decisions on embodied carbon rather than relying on generic industry averages. It also strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a growing centre for advanced industrial production and lower-carbon construction materials.”

Recycled Materials and Electrified Manufacturing

AGSI’s latest results build on its 2024 carbon-neutral plant milestone under PAS 2060. The company uses 100% locally recycled scrap and a fully electrified production process. Its reported figures extend the assessment of environmental performance from the manufacturing facility to the reinforcing steel itself.

The verified Low-Carbon Rebar provides construction buyers in the UAE with a locally produced material supported by documented carbon performance, quality certification and traceability. Environmental Product Declarations also offer a consistent framework for comparing products when the same assessment rules and boundaries are applied.

AGSI’s Low-Carbon Rebar achievement adds to Abu Dhabi’s industrial manufacturing portfolio, demonstrating how recycled raw materials, electrified production and independently verified environmental data can contribute to the supply of construction materials with documented carbon footprints.

Machine Learning Approaches for Concrete Strength Prediction

Predicting wastewater-exposed concrete strength presents challenges because of the complex, nonlinear relationships between material properties and environmental conditions. To address this, researchers combined particle swarm optimization (PSO) with four machine learning algorithms: XGBoost, gene expression programming (GEP), support vector regression (SVR), and LightGBM. Multiple linear regression (MLR) served as a baseline for comparison.

PSO is an optimization technique inspired by collective behavior in nature. It searches for suitable model parameters by moving a population of candidate solutions through a defined search space. In this study, the method was used to identify hyperparameter configurations that minimized validation errors and improved the predictive performance of the selected algorithms.

Dataset Preparation and Model Evaluation

The research team assembled 138 samples from previously published studies on machine learning-based prediction. Input features were normalized to a range of −1 to 1, while outliers representing approximately 5% of the samples were removed using a two-tailed statistical method based on the ±3σ rule.

The prepared dataset was divided into training and testing groups, with 110 samples allocated for training and 28 reserved for independent testing. PSO was then applied to optimize the hyperparameters of XGBoost, GEP, SVR, and LightGBM, including parameters such as learning rate, tree depth, and the number of estimators.

Performance was assessed using the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute error (MAE), root-mean-square error (RMSE), and the a-20 index. The latter evaluates how closely predictions fall within a ±20% range of actual values, providing an additional measure of model reliability. The researchers also used Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) to examine how individual input variables influenced predictions.

PSO-XGBoost Achieves the Strongest Results

Among the evaluated approaches, PSO-XGBoost delivered the best overall performance during K-fold cross-validation, recording a mean R² of 0.95 and an RMSE of 1.5 MPa. Its optimized configuration included a learning rate of 0.10, 100 estimators, and a maximum tree depth of five.

The other optimized models also demonstrated predictive capability. PSO-SVR achieved a mean R² of 0.92, while PSO-LightGBM and PSO-GEP each recorded a mean R² of 0.90. The study reported that PSO-XGBoost achieved an R² of 0.97 on training data and 0.96 on testing data, with a test RMSE of 1.25 MPa.

SHAP analysis identified the water-to-cement (W/C) ratio as a major factor influencing wastewater-exposed concrete strength. This interpretability method helps researchers understand the contribution and direction of individual variables rather than relying solely on overall accuracy scores.

The researchers also developed a prototype graphical user interface to demonstrate how the models, particularly PSO-XGBoost, could be used for practical strength estimation. The interface remains a conceptual demonstration rather than a fully established field application.

Comparisons with findings from other studies indicated improvements of approximately 10–15% in R² and 15–25% in RMSE for the optimized models. However, differences in datasets and evaluation procedures limit direct comparisons. The relatively small dataset also remains a constraint on the models’ generalizability.

Future Scope for Wastewater Infrastructure Assessment

The findings indicate that optimized machine learning could help estimate reductions in concrete compressive strength under sanitary wastewater exposure. Nevertheless, broader validation is needed before the models can be relied upon across different structures, materials, and operating environments.

Future research could expand the dataset to include concrete mixture composition, exposure duration, hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) concentration, pH, and temperature. Incorporating these variables could improve generalizability and support more direct predictions of residual strength and structural deterioration.

The programme is backed by nearly £1.9 million in funding from the UK government, alongside £1 million from Tata Steel. Participating projects will also receive additional funding equivalent to at least half the value of their grants, enabling research teams to advance technologies through industrial investment, technical expertise and commercial development opportunities.

The partnership regarding circular materials comes as both countries seek to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impacts while addressing increasing infrastructure demand. By promoting resource-efficient materials and production processes, the initiative aims to strengthen circularity and improve the resilience of supply chains for critical materials and minerals. UK-India policy missions will also facilitate knowledge exchange and generate market intelligence in these areas, building on earlier cooperation with India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE).

Subodh Pandey, Vice President, Technology, R&D, NMB and Graphene at Tata Steel, said “The support by the UK government, and partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, not only presents an opportunity to move promising research towards real industrial application, which we can all benefit from, but also to build lasting and meaningful relationships so we can continue to accelerate the development and adoption of lower-carbon, more circular approaches to construction and manufacturing.”

Professor Ravi Silva CBE FREng, Director of the Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey and Chair of the Academy’s Transforming Systems through Partnership programme, said “This partnership with Tata Steel embodies that ambition. By bringing together institutions and expertise from India and the UK, it will strengthen long-term collaboration and help meet growing infrastructure needs through the practical adoption of sustainable, circular and energy-efficient materials and processes. In doing so, it will contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by linking engineering innovation with more resilient, resource-efficient and sustainable systems.”

The partnership will operate through RAEng’s Transforming Systems through Partnership (TSP) programme, with grants scheduled to begin in April 2027 and run for three years. Over more than a decade, the programme has supported more than 300 collaborative projects connecting universities and industry internationally and established a network of over 800 awardees.

The initiative is expected to fund up to 15 research and innovation projects, with individual grants ranging from £100,000 to £150,000. Each project will be jointly led by an academic or research partner from the UK and India and must demonstrate a clear route to industrial application, entrepreneurship or wider practical impact.

Beyond financial assistance, Tata Steel will provide participating teams with access to industrial expertise, mentorship from senior professionals, and relevant laboratories and facilities. Projects with commercialization or spin-out potential may also receive mentoring and incubation support. The specific assistance will be tailored to each project’s requirements, helping researchers progress from development towards practical implementation.

The design of bolted aluminium connections requires a careful consideration of the material’s unique mechanical properties. Aluminium has a lower modulus of elasticity compared to steel, which means that the joint’s stiffness and the potential for localized deformation around the bolt holes must be carefully managed. High-quality structural bolts, often made from stainless steel or high-strength aluminium alloys, are used to provide the necessary clamping force while resisting the atmospheric corrosion that can compromise the integrity of the connection over time. The use of specialized washers and load-distributing plates further enhances the performance of the joint, ensuring that the structural loads are transferred evenly through the assembly. As the complexity of prefabricated systems continues to grow, the role of these mechanical connections becomes increasingly central to achieving the desired balance of speed, cost, and long-term durability.

Thermal expansion is another critical factor in the design of bolted assemblies. Aluminium expands and contracts significantly more than steel or concrete in response to temperature changes. In long-span or high-rise structures, this can lead to substantial movement within the joints. To accommodate this, engineers often utilize slotted bolt holes or specialized sliding connections that allow for thermal movement without introducing excessive stress into the structural frame. The precision of the fabrication process is essential here, as the clearances within the connection must be exactly as specified to ensure the structure remains stable while still allowing for the necessary flexibility. The use of low-friction coatings on the sliding surfaces can further enhance the performance of these “dynamic” joints, reducing the potential for wear or noise as the building responds to its environment.

The aesthetic impact of the connections should not be overlooked. In many contemporary architectural designs, the structural frame is left exposed as a primary visual element. Bolted connections can be designed to be either hidden or celebrated as a design feature. Recessed bolts with matching aluminium caps provide a clean and seamless appearance, while exposed high-strength fasteners can emphasize the technical and industrial nature of the structure. The choice of finish for the connecting plates, whether anodized or powder-coated, can further integrate the joints into the broader architectural palette. This attention to detail ensures that the structural connections contribute to the overall beauty of the building, rather than detracting from it. By combining engineering excellence with architectural vision, fabricators can deliver systems that are as visually striking as they are structurally sound.

Engineering Principles for High-Performance Joints

The reliability of bolted aluminium connections is rooted in the precision of their design and fabrication. Structural engineers must account for the diverse forces acting on the joint, including tension, shear, and bearing pressures. The spacing and edge distance of the bolt holes are critical parameters that determine the overall strength of the connection and its resistance to tearing or splitting. In many high-performance applications, the use of “slip-critical” connections is preferred, where the friction between the joined surfaces, rather than the bearing of the bolt against the hole, transfers the load. To achieve this, the contact surfaces must be prepared to a specific roughness, and the bolts must be tightened to a precise pre-tension using calibrated torque wrenches or tension-indicating washers. This level of technical rigor ensures that the assembly remains rigid and stable, even under the significant dynamic loads encountered in long-span roofs or seismic events.

Additionally, the integration of bolted aluminium connections into a prefabricated workflow allows for the extensive use of shop-fabricated sub-assemblies. These modules can be manufactured under controlled conditions where the accuracy of the bolt holes and the fit-up of the connecting plates can be verified before the components leave the factory. This approach significantly reduces the potential for errors and delays on-site, as the installation team is simply “bolting together” a kit of parts that has already been proven to fit. This synergy is particularly evident when these connections are used in conjunction with aluminium truss systems supporting long-span architectural structures, where the ability to assemble large truss sections quickly and safely is a major logistical advantage. The use of standardized connection details also simplifies the procurement and inventory management processes, further improving the overall efficiency of the project.

Logistical Benefits of Mechanical Fastening

One of the most compelling arguments for the use of bolted aluminium connections is the impact on site logistics and assembly timelines. Because mechanical fastening does not require the use of heavy welding equipment or specialized shielding gases, the installation process is much cleaner and quieter, making it ideal for projects in occupied buildings or sensitive urban environments. The absence of hot work also eliminates the need for fire watches and other safety precautions associated with welding, further streamlining the construction schedule. Small crews using hand-held power tools can rapidly assemble large structural modules, reducing the reliance on heavy cranes and minimizing the disruption to the surrounding area. This “dry” assembly process is also highly compatible with compressed project timelines, where the ability to work in varied weather conditions is a significant benefit.

The following list outlines the practical advantages of utilizing mechanical fastening in aluminium construction:

• Rapid on-site assembly without the need for specialized welding equipment or certifications.
• Ease of inspection, as the integrity of the joint can be verified through visual checks and torque testing.
• Full demountability of the structure, allowing for future reconfiguration, expansion, or recycling.
• Reduced risk of fire and other safety hazards associated with hot-work processes.
• High degree of predictability in the joint’s mechanical performance and long-term durability.
• Ability to join dissimilar materials, such as aluminium and steel, with appropriate isolation.
• Lower overall labor costs due to simplified assembly procedures and faster installation times.

Durability and Maintenance of Bolted Assemblies

The long-term performance of integrated building components is a critical consideration for the life-cycle management of the building. In outdoor or corrosive environments, the choice of fastener material and the implementation of protective measures are vital for preventing galvanic corrosion. When joining aluminium components with stainless steel bolts, the use of non-conductive washers or coatings is often required to isolate the two metals and prevent the formation of an electrolytic cell. Additionally, the joint design should facilitate the drainage of moisture to prevent the accumulation of water and debris around the fasteners. Regular maintenance inspections typically involve checking the tightness of the bolts and inspecting the connection for any signs of localized corrosion or wear. Because these connections are accessible and demountable, any necessary repairs or replacements can be carried out with minimal disruption to the rest of the structure.

Future Innovations in Mechanical Joining

As the demand for increasingly complex and sustainable buildings grows, the technology of high-performance components continues to evolve. We are seeing the development of high-strength, lightweight fasteners that are specifically optimized for use with the latest generation of aluminium alloys. Additionally, the integration of “smart” fasteners equipped with internal sensors is providing new opportunities for real-time structural health monitoring. These fasteners can detect changes in their pre-tension or the onset of vibration, providing valuable data to facility managers about the integrity of the structural joints throughout the building’s service life. This proactive approach to maintenance is a significant advancement over traditional periodic inspections, allowing for the early identification of potential issues and the extension of the structure’s operational lifespan.

The role of digital manufacturing will also continue to influence the design and fabrication of mechanical connections. The use of 3D printing for the production of customized node connectors and gusset plates allows for the creation of highly efficient, geometrically complex joints that are perfectly tailored to the specific loading conditions of a project. These components can be designed with integrated bolt holes and alignment features that further simplify the on-site assembly process. As the industry moves towards a more integrated and automated future, the synergy between high-precision fabrication, advanced fasteners, and durable digital workflows will continue to drive the development of even more efficient and sustainable structural solutions. The commitment to technical excellence in the mechanical joining sector ensures that aluminium will remain a primary material for the buildings of tomorrow, providing a perfect blend of performance, flexibility, and environmental responsibility.

The economic advantages of mechanical fastening are also noteworthy. While the individual cost of high-strength fasteners can be higher than welding consumables, the reduction in site labor and the elimination of specialized equipment leads to a lower total installed cost. In addition, the predictability of the assembly process reduces the risk of project overruns and allows for more accurate budgeting. For developers and building owners, the ability to rapidly deliver a high-quality structure with minimal site risk is a major financial benefit. As the construction industry continues to face labor shortages and rising costs, the move towards highly efficient, prefabricated systems like those enabled by precision engineering solutions will only accelerate.

The transition to advanced manufacturing techniques represents a significant step forward for the modular construction industry. By providing a reliable, efficient, and fully demountable method for joining structural components, mechanical fastening enables the creation of complex architectural systems that are both easy to build and maintain. This technology not only improves the speed and safety of the on-site assembly process but also enhances the long-term flexibility and sustainability of the built environment. As architectural designs continue to evolve, the ability to join components with speed and precision will remain a critical competitive advantage. The commitment to innovation and quality in the mechanical joining sector ensures that the buildings of the future will be as adaptable and durable as they are beautiful, providing a durable foundation for the next generation of architectural landmarks. The synergy between material science, structural engineering, and digital manufacturing is what will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the aluminium sector, creating structures that are truly built to last.

Aymane Elyazidi, Fatiha Berroug, Lahcen Boukhattem and Rachid Bouferra compiled 429 experimental records from 11 peer-reviewed studies. The database covered mortar and paste mixtures and included 14 variables, including fly ash and glass powder quantities, activator composition, precursor oxide content, particle fineness and curing conditions. Recorded strength ranged from nearly zero to 96 megapascals, averaging 17.38 MPa.

The team compared seven algorithms, including neural networks, support vector regression, random forest, AdaBoost, CatBoost, gradient boosting and XGBoost. They used Differential Evolution to tune each model’s hyperparameters. DE-XGBoost achieved an R-squared of 0.9913 on test data, with a root mean squared error of 1.613 MPa and mean absolute error of 1.133 MPa. Conventionally tuned support vector regression recorded an R-squared of 0.8602.

Researchers used SHAP analysis to interpret predictions. Sodium hydroxide molarity emerged as the most influential input, followed by precursor silica content. Higher activator molarity generally increased predicted geopolymer strength, while high silica content was associated with lower values in the dataset. Calcium oxide content and curing age contributed positively.

Partial dependence analysis suggested that mixes commonly used less than about 20% glass powder replacement, an activator concentration near 12 moles per litre and curing temperatures of 60–80°C for roughly 24 hours. The researchers caution that these patterns reflect available records, not universal design limits.

The study identifies limitations, including bulk oxide composition inputs and no source-wise cross-validation. The team proposes optimization balancing strength, cost and embodied carbon, alongside an interactive prediction tool and transfer learning for other geopolymer materials. The findings could help researchers assess geopolymer strength while developing lower-carbon construction materials for more sustainable concrete mix design.

The modular steel joint system replaces built-up rectangular steel tube members, traditionally fabricated by cutting and welding steel plates, with standardized, off-the-shelf H-beams. This approach reduces costs, stabilizes material supply and provides uniform section quality. H-beams also simplify fireproof coating application. For installation, a two-way alignment guide positions crane-lifted modules and absorbs alignment errors within a set range in both horizontal directions. A horizontal bolting method allows workers to fasten bolts from the front rather than inside cramped ceilings or columns, improving access for power tools and worker safety. The company said this method reduces on-site assembly time by more than 20%.

Researchers from the Korean Society of Steel Construction verified structural performance through cyclic loading tests on a full-scale two-story frame. The system maintained performance without structural damage or strength degradation at a story drift of 4%, double the 2% maximum required under the current Korean Design Standard. Directly transferring building loads to columns also reduces force concentration and leaning. The technology was tested at H-Modular Lab, a full-scale facility built by Hyundai Engineering and Hyundai Steel in November 2024. Hyundai Engineering plans to expand off-site construction technology into data centers and industrial buildings. “The competitiveness of modular construction depends not only on the precision of factory production but also on how quickly and safely modules can be assembled on site,” an official at Hyundai Engineering said. “This H-beam steel modular joint structural system secures construction tolerance absorption, worker safety and seismic structural performance all at once.”

The largest awards include $85.1 million for an 8-mile, four-lane highway project in Kentucky and $85 million for lane additions along approximately 20 miles of Interstate 4 in Florida. The funding will support bypass expansions and highway improvements on some of the busiest routes in the US.

INFRA Grants Target Freight And Highway Improvements

The INFRA grants are part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provide competitive funding aimed at strengthening US supply chains and improving freight and passenger movement.

The funding follows an extension of federal surface transportation programs under the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions, signed on September 2. The extension applies to the Highway Trust Fund and keeps programs including INFRA authorized.

Projects Receiving Funding

The Kansas State Highway 96 reconstruction and enhancement project in Wichita, Kansas, will receive $53.5 million. The I-55/I-69 freight corridor expansion in DeSoto County, Mississippi, has been awarded $44 million.

The I-70 St. Louis Airport Corridor project in St. Louis County, Missouri, will receive $42.1 million, while $28 million will support improvements at the Kaliste Saloom interchange in Lafayette, Louisiana.

In Maine, $27.8 million will fund improvements to I-295 in Cumberland County. The State Route 71 gap closure project in Los Angeles County, California, will receive $25 million.

Additional awards include $11.3 million for Project DeRenne in Savannah, Georgia, a freight mobility, military and workforce readiness connector. The 24th Avenue NE improvement project in Norman, Oklahoma, will receive $11 million.

The Cumberland Freight Access and Economic Development project in Millville, New Jersey, has been allocated $7.2 million. In Wyoming, $6.7 million will support repairs and safety improvements to the I-80 Green River Tunnels.

Broader Federal Infrastructure Investment

The latest INFRA grants follow a $481 million allocation for airport infrastructure announced by DOT on September 3. The Federal Aviation Administration subsequently distributed $1.1 billion to airports across 46 states and three territories.

The awards add to federal investment in transportation infrastructure, freight mobility and highway improvements across the US.

The Danish operations include a network of asphalt plants, land- and marine-based aggregates sites, and substantial reserves. CRH said the assets will significantly increase its presence in Denmark while strengthening its exposure to demand from major road, infrastructure and industrial projects.

In Finland, NCC Industry’s operations include hard-rock quarries supported by reserves, as well as backfilling and recycling activities. These assets are expected to complement CRH’s existing operations in the country.

“This acquisition is strongly aligned with CRH’s strategy to build an aggregates-led, connected portfolio aligned with growing infrastructure megatrends,” said Peter Buckley, president of CRH International, the group’s operations outside of the Americas.

“NCC Industry’s extensive operating footprint and strong customer relationships in Denmark and Finland will strengthen our business in the Nordics, enhancing our ability to support customers across key high-growth urban markets and infrastructure end-segments.”

The transaction remains subject to applicable regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Completion is expected in 2027.

The CRH acquisition follows the company’s agreement in June to purchase US-based Arcosa for $8.5 billion (€7.4 billion). The transaction would represent CRH’s largest acquisition to date.

Arcosa operates in aggregates and manufactures infrastructure products. CRH has described the business as “highly complementary” to its existing operations. The announced transaction value includes both Arcosa’s equity and debt.

The latest deal also fits within CRH’s broader investment strategy. Chief executive Jim Mintern outlined plans 13 months ago for the company to allocate $40 billion toward investment and shareholder cash returns over five years as it continues to expand revenues and earnings. Of that amount, $28 billion was earmarked for investment.

The CRH acquisition of NCC Industry’s Danish and Finnish operations will further extend its aggregate portfolio in the Nordic region, subject to the required approvals and completion conditions.

Introduced at the company’s Tech Summit, the LiveTwin platform creates a digital representation of facilities, infrastructure, operations and campuses by bringing assets, systems, models and real-time data together within a single environment.

The solution is aimed at owners, operators, public agencies and infrastructure professionals. It integrates building information modeling (BIM), geographic information systems (GIS), reality capture, Internet of Things technologies, enterprise systems and workflows into a shared operational view.

By connecting information from these sources, the system is designed to support analysis, automation and operational decision-making.

Early users have deployed LiveTwin across more than 1,400 facilities in the US, covering more than 30 million square feet of managed space. Michael Baker said some users completed onboarding within minutes rather than months and reported performance improvements exceeding 20 times compared with the legacy systems they replaced.

The platform is also designed to operate alongside existing digital environments and technology investments, allowing users to build on their current infrastructure.

LiveTwin represents the first product in a planned portfolio of digitalMBI solutions focused on infrastructure management requirements. The platform incorporates integrated AI capabilities and combines digital engineering, data ontology, analytics and operational technologies.

These capabilities are intended to support knowledge management, workflow automation and decision-making throughout the asset lifecycle.

The LiveTwin platform forms part of digitalMBI, Michael Baker’s digital innovation platform focused on changing how infrastructure is designed, delivered, operated and maintained.

It also works with the company’s Titan enterprise AI platform, bringing together AI-based reasoning, automation and governance with engineering and infrastructure expertise. Clients maintain ownership, control and traceability of their data.

Unlike digital twin solutions primarily designed for visualization, LiveTwin is intended for operational use of information throughout the asset lifecycle. It organizes data covering assets, infrastructure systems and operations to support resilience planning, risk management, investment prioritization and predictive asset management.

LiveTwin is available alongside Michael Baker’s engineering, consulting and advisory services, combining infrastructure, data and technology capabilities across the infrastructure lifecycle.