Two 102 sq m homes in Buena Vista, Colorado, were built using A1-rated 3D printed concrete walls that provided the highest level of fire resistance and did not fuel combustion at any stage. This marked a significant step forward in fire-safe construction, particularly in a state where nearly half the population lived in wildfire-prone regions.

The project showcased the advantages of COBOD’s open-source 3D printing technology, which allowed real concrete to be used and material mixes to be customised for local conditions. This adaptability made the structures more resilient to wildfires, seismic activity and extreme temperature fluctuations.

The superstructure of one home was completed in just 16 days, highlighting the remarkable speed and efficiency of automated 3D construction.

The printer followed a precise, predefined path, reducing manual labour and ensuring consistent quality. This rapid process saved weeks of traditional construction time and improved overall project cost efficiency. Known as the VeroVistas, the two homes demonstrated 3D printing’s flexibility in design, one retained the distinctive layered concrete aesthetic, while the other adopted a traditional stucco finish.

“In an era of fast housing, VeroTouch is creating legacy homes that can be passed down, rather than torn down,” said Grant Hamel, VeroTouch’s Chief Executive Officer. “Beyond merely great design, we’re proud that VeroVistas homes offer a level of resilience to natural disasters like wildfires unmatched by any other product in this region. Because of that, we expect these homes to be standing strong 100 years from now.”

Priced at about $625,000 (which is comparable to average homes in Colorado’s mountain communities) the 3D printed houses offered modern design, superior fire resilience and market competitiveness. VeroTouch collaborated with local contractors, supporting regional employment and introducing cutting-edge building methods. The company received support from Colorado’s Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP), which aimed to facilitate construction of 7,500 homes within three years.

Governor Jared Polis stated, “We are proud to accelerate innovation in housing to better address Colorado’s housing needs. The unveiling of these 3D printed homes is a great example of how we can support new building methods to create more housing now.”

Following the project’s success, VeroTouch began work on a 32-home community in Salida, expanding its workforce to meet rising demand. “3D construction printing provides a safer, more efficient, and sustainable way to build,” said Philip Lund-Nielsen, Co-founder and Head of Americas at COBOD International. “Colorado investing in broader application of 3D construction printing shows that this scalable method can help address the housing crisis, not only in Colorado, but across the U.S.”

MDS, a global leader in specialist screening equipment, marked its 30th anniversary this year, celebrating three decades of innovation and growth. From humble beginnings in a repurposed farm shed in rural Ireland, the company evolved into an internationally recognised manufacturer of heavy-duty rock and environmental trommels, valued for their durability and reliability in the most demanding conditions.

Founded in 1995 by Liam Murray and his wife Una, MDS began as a small workshop producing Christmas tree stands and custom projects for local customers. With limited resources, the company diversified early on, manufacturing turnstiles for local GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) clubs, robotic systems, and agricultural machinery. Its reputation for practical design and engineering ingenuity steadily grew, paving the way for a major transformation.

That transformation came in 2014 with the development of the first MDS rock trommel, marking the company’s move away from subcontracting and agricultural equipment into specialised screening solutions. The launch of the M515 mobile rock trommel represented years of accumulated expertise and collaboration. It was followed by the M412 and M413 compact trommels, which carried forward the same robust design ethos, tailored for smaller-scale applications.

“MDS was no longer just a fabrication shop. We had a product with a market that believed in it,” said Liam Og Murray, Regional Sales Manager and son of founder Liam Murray. Having grown up around the workshop, Liam Og inherited the company’s values of innovation and integrity. “The shift to rock trommels led to substantial growth for MDS between 2015 and 2020 and ultimately laid the groundwork for our relationship with Terex,” he added.

Since being acquired by Terex in 2021, MDS has expanded its global distribution network, particularly across Europe, while maintaining a strong focus on product development. The flagship M515 was relaunched with improved transportability, better service access, and increased stockpile capacity. In 2024, the M518R was reintroduced after a comprehensive redesign to meet the needs of small to medium-sized operations processing compost, biomass, and municipal waste.

The company also invested heavily in production improvements, opening a new state-of-the-art paintshop equipped with advanced filtration technology to ensure cleaner air and a higher-quality finish. These upgrades enhanced both operator safety and product quality.

With continued growth in sight, MDS appointed Steven Keenan as its new General Manager. Having served as Engineering Manager for three years, Keenan brought a deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture, along with prior experience at Terex Omagh and Poclain Hydraulics.

“I want to congratulate the entire MDS team on reaching this fantastic milestone,” said Steven. “As we enter our next chapter, my focus will be on strengthening our global distribution network so that our renowned models can deliver even greater impact across international markets. I’m excited to lead the team into this next phase of growth. With a deep engineering background and a genuine passion for innovation, I’m committed to driving forward our technology and expanding our product offering to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

EvoQuip, a global manufacturer of compact crushing and screening equipment, announced the launch of the Bison 220 and 220R, the newest additions to its compact jaw crushing range. Built for high performance, efficiency and flexibility, the Bison 220/220R were designed to meet the needs of operators in quarrying, demolition and recycling sectors.

Each model was engineered with an 820mm x 550mm (32” x 22”) jaw inlet and a compressive strength of 240MPa, enabling them to process demanding materials with ease. The crushers featured an advanced hydrostatic drive system that maximised fuel efficiency while enhancing operational performance, including the ability to run the chamber in reverse when required.

The Bison 220R incorporated an optional recirculating conveyor, referred to as the ‘R’ section, allowing operators to refine their final product to the desired specification. Oversized material could either be recirculated back into the crusher or stockpiled, depending on the task. An integrated 8’ x 4’ single-deck screen further increased screening efficiency.

Flexibility was central to the Bison 220R’s design. The complete afterscreen system, including the oversize conveyor, could be quickly detached to operate in standard mode or to simplify transport between sites. Operators also benefited from adjustable product conveyors, which could be raised or lowered to ensure smooth material flow across diverse working conditions.

With the launch of the Bison 220 and 220R, EvoQuip expanded its range of compact solutions, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-performance, mobile equipment tailored to the needs of modern material processing operations.

“The Bison 220 and 220R combines compact design with high performance, giving operators the flexibility they need without compromising on productivity or fuel efficiency,” said Andrew Armstrong, EvoQuip product manager. “With quick setup times, simple and intuitive operation, easy maintenance, and transport-friendly design, the Bison 220/220R offers a user-friendly yet powerful solution for crushing applications worldwide.”

Transport sector poised for growth

Saint Gobain has announced a new ‘Lead & Grow’ strategic plan, which envisages around €12bn (approx. US$13.95bn) in growth capex and acquisitions globally over the 2026-2030 period

With a focus on light and sustainable construction, the group says it is raising its profitable growth trajectory in the years ahead, and aims to increase its exposure to the non-residential and infrastructure sectors.

“In the current geopolitical context, Saint-Gobain benefits from the powerful operating model it has established and optimised country-by-country, based on local value chains,” said Benoit Bazin, Saint-Gobain’s chairman and CEO.

The group outlined growth plans across major developed regions, including Asia, North America and Europe, especially in the Middle East. 

Its latest investments across the region aim to support local manufacturing and sustainability efforts.

Growth across sectors

“We will also expand into new growth markets: in infrastructure, particularly thanks to our established leading position in construction chemicals, and in non-residential, where the group holds key advantages,” added Bazin.

The widening of the group’s product offer over the past few years has opened up new opportunities in non-residential (including educational and healthcare facilities, hotels and data centres) and infrastructure (transport, energy), the company added in a statement.

In the data centre segment, it highlights solutions including focusing on speed of construction, low-carbon partitions and concrete, airflow management and improved thermal insulation.

On the infrastructure side, it said it was targeting niche areas in the bridges and tunnels segment, such as technical waterproofing, specialty admixtures, expansion and injection grouts, repair and protection mortars.

And on the airports side, it highlighted products for runway reinforcement, fire-resistant and fire safety glass, solar controlled façades, technical flooring and acoustic partitions.