DB Export, a New Zealand beer company, has built glass beer bottle crushing machines that they hope can help save the world’s sand reserves. The machine has a beer bottle specific shape that they say removes the label and the silica dust, while turning the glass into 200 grams of sand substitute in 5 seconds. Read more.
CCInnovations president Pierre Boucher remains optimistic that the government will commit to transforming the industry, despite the fact construction innovation was not specifically highlighted in the March 22 federal budget. Read more.
Construction sites in Japan are enjoying a wave of automation amid an increasing shortage of laborers, with the introduction of robots to do heavy lifting and drones that instantly collect aerial data. Read more.
Researchers at a Swiss institution have come up with an innovative mix for high-performance, self-consolidating concrete (HPSCC) which is not only fire resistant but is also less prone to shrinkage. Read more.
Russian construction company Renca, has developed an eco-friendly cement for 3D printing. According to the manufacturers, production of the material, known as géobéton (geoconcrete or geocement), reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90% when compared to the traditional mode of making cement. By using recycled materials, the material also creates at least 60% less impact on the environment than its Portland counterpart. Read more.
The obligation of employers to ensure safety at workplaces such as construction jobsites has not changed despite increased use of medical marijuana and its possible legalization by the federal Liberal government, says a legal expert active in the field. Read more.
The students are part of a new program that began last week by Red River College to teach English to new refugees and provide work experience in construction jobs. The Pallister government initiative was prompted by the influx of Syrian refugees last year. Read more.
Pundits who have been complaining that federal phase 1 infrastructure spending promised in the 2016 budget has not worked its way through the system were largely right. The budget document released by Finance Minister Bill Morneau on March 22 revealed that only 50 to 75 per cent of infrastructure allocations from Budget 2016 have been spent. Read more.
Industry stakeholders were hoping for news on the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) in the 2017 federal budget but what they got instead is a commitment that it will be up and running later this year and that more will be announced in the coming months. Read more.