Nonresidential construction spending in the US fell by 0.1% in June, marking the sixth decline in seven months, as reported by the Associated Builders and Contractors. Private non-residential construction dropped by 0.3%, while public spending slightly increased by 0.1%. The Associated General Contractors of America attribute this trend to tariff and labor uncertainties, which have led to project delays and cancellations. Despite a 5.1% year-over-year increase in public spending, the industry faces challenges, with calls for trade agreement completions to stabilise the market.

Construction input prices increased by 0.4% in July, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index. Year-over-year, input prices rose 2.2%, driven by tariffs on materials like aluminium, steel, and copper. This escalation could compress contractor margins despite industry optimism. The construction sector faces challenges from rising costs and market uncertainties, with potential relief hinging on trade policy stabilisation and interest rate adjustments. Broader inflationary pressures may influence the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decisions.

Germany’s construction industry exceeded expectations in H1 2025, with a 7.2% increase in orders compared to H1 2024, despite a decline in roadbuilding orders due to a tender freeze by Autobahn GmbH. Residential construction orders rose by 9.5%, though they were still below 2021 levels. Overall industry turnover grew by 2.2%, with civil engineering seeing an 11.4% boost, driven by rail sector demand.

Saudi Arabia’s construction industry underwent major restructuring as authorities shut down over 28,000 construction companies as part of a regulatory crackdown to streamline the market. The closures, affecting contractors and sub-contractors who failed to meet licensing and regulatory requirements, represent part of a broader effort involving nearly 120,000 firms across various sectors. Despite the consolidation, major infrastructure projects continue advancing, including the launch of Riyadh’s monorail project expected to begin construction in Q4 2025. The crackdown reflects the Kingdom’s push for higher industry standards as part of Vision 2030 economic diversification goals.

South Korea’s cement industry faces unprecedented challenges as domestic shipments fell 17% year-on-year to 18.8Mt in the first half of 2025, marking the lowest half-year output since 1992. The severe construction recession has prompted eight of the country’s 35 production lines to shut down, with capacity utilisation rates dropping to 70%. Construction companies are experiencing liquidity crunches as lending rules tighten, while prices and labor costs have both increased 30% over three years. The Korea Cement Association warns that 2025 output will be “significantly below 40Mt unless effective construction stimulus measures are available.”

A mobile robotic ‘microfactory’ by Cosmic Buildings, powered by ABB Robotics, is operational in California to rebuild homes after wildfires. It fabricates structural wall panels on-site, reducing build time by 70% and costs by 30%. The system integrates AI-driven BIM, computer vision, and real-time error detection, offering a sustainable, efficient solution for disaster-affected areas.

Alterra IOS and Eco Materials LLC have launched a $40-million soil-recycling facility in Philadelphia, transforming contaminated soils into reusable aggregates for construction. The facility processes up to 250 tons per hour, reclaiming 85% of soil and reusing 95% of wash water. This urban model reduces landfill waste and carbon emissions, offering a sustainable solution for aggregate supply.

Martin Marietta Materials reported a 12% increase in second-quarter profit, driven by robust infrastructure demand and favourable pricing. The company’s net earnings rose to $328 million, or $5.43 per share, compared to $294 million, or $4.76 per share, the previous year. Quarterly revenue increased by 3% to $1.81 billion.

Eiffage has bolstered its Spanish operations by acquiring CVS, M3i Controls, and Inmotechnia, enhancing its technical expertise and geographic reach. CVS, with €60m revenue, specialises in refrigeration and fire systems. M3i Controls, with €3m turnover, focuses on automation systems, while Inmotechnia, generating €10m, excels in smart BEMS. Eiffage Énergie Systèmes, already a significant player with €1.1bn revenue in Spain, aims for robust growth through these strategic acquisitions.

Egyptian construction giant Orascom Construction achieved a consolidated backlog of $9.6 billion in H1 2025, representing 24% year-on-year growth supported by $3.4 billion in new awards during the period. The company generated revenues of $1.955 billion, up 32.4% from the previous year, while EBITDA reached $139.4 million.