Travis Perkins, one of Britain's major building materials suppliers, reported a 1.8% increase in third-quarter like-for-like sales, driven by strategic pricing and targeted promotions. Its core Merchanting division, which caters to construction and home improvement markets, saw a 1.7% sales rise. This growth comes despite the UK construction market contracting for the ninth consecutive month, as companies delayed major projects ahead of the government budget. With new CEO Gavin Slark set to join soon, Travis Perkins is focusing on regaining market share and sustaining momentum in a challenging environment.Read more

Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a diversified FMCG conglomerate, was recognised earlier this week as Water Positive by GRIHA, a joint initiative of India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and TERI. With a Water Positivity Index of 1.8, the Group joined a select few corporates in India to achieve such certification. The recognition followed a two-and-a-half-year assessment across 30 business units nationwide and reflected DS Group's ongoing dedication to sustainable water management, efficient resource utilisation, and community-focused conservation initiatives.Read more

South Korea's Daewoo Engineering & Construction has begun constructing a USD 780 million fertilizer plant in Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, as the country seeks to diversify its economy beyond natural gas exports. The facility will produce 350,000 metric tons of phosphate fertilizers and 100,000 metric tons of ammonium sulfate each year. President Serdar Berdymukhamedov attended the groundbreaking ceremony, reflecting the project's national significance. Scheduled to be completed within three years, the plant highlights Turkmenistan's push for industrial growth, higher-value production, and greater export potential, marking a notable step in reducing reliance on natural gas revenues.Read more

K Raheja Corp recently organised a volunteering initiative under its 'Time Off for Volunteering' policy, uniting employees across its group companies to create tactile Braille learning cards for visually impaired children. The activity highlighted the company's focus on empathy, accessibility, and inclusion. The event also saw participation from visually impaired youth, who tested the cards and shared their experiences, making it a memorable example of connection and community spirit.Read more

Saatvik Green Energy announced a major INR 3,150 crore investment to expand its Odisha solar manufacturing facility, aiming to strengthen its position in India's solar sector. The first phase will include 4 GW module capacity and 2.4 GW cell capacity, followed by a second phase adding another 2.4 GW. The company plans to integrate upstream and downstream operations and diversify into solar inverters, EPC services, and related offerings. Recent operational performance shows 685 MW module production at over 81% capacity and an order book of 4.05 GW.Read more

KPI Green Energy has secured a contract to develop a 100 MW solar power project under its captive power producer business segment. The project will be executed by its subsidiary, Sun Drops Energia, following the terms of the regulatory order. Multiple industrial investors awarded the project under the Distributed Renewable Energy Bilateral Purchase (DREBP) Policy. Scheduled for phased completion during 2026-27, this initiative strengthens KPI Green Energy's renewable energy portfolio and demonstrates its continued role in providing sustainable and distributed solar power solutions to meet growing industrial energy demands in India.Read more

Swiss medical technology company Ypsomed plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, with an initial investment of USD 200 million. The plant will create around 100 jobs, potentially doubling in the coming years, and is expected to start supplying the U.S. market by late 2027. Amid 39% U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods, the expansion complements Ypsomed's recent plant in China, investment in Germany, and domestic production growth in Switzerland. The move aims to meet increasing global demand and strengthen supply reliability in the U.S.Read more

Jindal Power Ltd (JPL), led by Naveen Jindal, has agreed to acquire the 1,350 MW Jhajjar Power Project in Haryana from Apraava Energy, formerly CLP India, in a deal valued at around INR 4,000 crore. The acquisition, expected to close within a month, marks a major addition to JPL's existing 4,300 MW thermal capacity across Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. The Jhajjar plant, commissioned in 2012, was India's first supercritical power facility in the National Capital Region and includes advanced flue gas desulphurisation technology.Read more

Serentica Renewables has partnered with MRF Ltd to set up a 170 MW solar-wind hybrid project to supply captive clean energy to the tyre manufacturer's facilities across India. A special purpose vehicle has been formed for this initiative, with MRF holding a minority stake and Serentica retaining the majority. The company has also entered into a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with MRF under the captive power model. The project will utilize the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) network to deliver round-the-clock renewable energy, helping MRF advance its sustainability and net-zero goals.Read more

EDP is set to accelerate its solar and battery storage projects in Australia after securing government-backed revenue schemes through the Capacity Investment Scheme. Its two projects, Punchs Creek in Queensland and Merino in New South Wales, will add more than 1.7 GW of solar and battery capacity. Punchs Creek will include 480 MWp of solar and a 400 MW battery system, while Merino will feature 530 MWp of solar and a 450 MW battery system. The CIS ensures long-term revenue support, reducing investment risks and promoting large-scale clean energy deployment across Australia.Read more

Mumbai has enforced stricter regulations on construction dust pollution, requiring real-time air quality monitoring and LED displays at all construction sites. Oizom's BMC-approved AQBot PM system enables contractors to monitor PM2.5 and PM10 efficiently, even under harsh conditions. With automation to trigger dust suppression systems, real-time data integration with BMC's Command Center, and pre-calibrated units verified by NABL-accredited labs, AQBot PM helps over 100 construction groups stay compliant. Adoption is growing rapidly, reflecting a shift toward technology-driven environmental monitoring in India's construction sector.Read more

Kerala's Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (KICDC) confirmed that the Palakkad Industrial Smart City-part of the Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor-will be realised in a single phase. Works are slated to begin either by the end of the month or in the early part of the next. With land acquisition largely completed and central and state funding well underway, KICDC aims to deliver infrastructure within 42 months before allotting parcels to industrial players.Read more

India has notified its first legally binding emission intensity targets for 282 major industrial units across aluminium, cement, pulp and paper, and chlor-alkali sectors. The targets, based on 2023-24 emission levels, are effective for the 2025-26 to 2026-27 compliance period. Industries exceeding their targets must buy carbon credits or pay penalties, while those performing better can earn tradable credits. The targets range from 3.4% to 7.5% reduction depending on the sector. This initiative builds on the Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme and aligns with India's Paris Agreement goals and net-zero strategy.Read more

Construction firm Capacit'e Infraprojects announced earlier this week that it had bagged a significant contract from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) for developing fast-track buildings on a design-and-build basis. The project, valued at around INR 542.37 crore, involves the use of composite steel and reinforced cement concrete materials to expedite construction timelines while maintaining high structural standards.Read more

Maersk has terminated a USD 475 million contract with Seatrium for a nearly finished offshore wind vessel intended for the Empire Wind project off New York. The 98.9% completed vessel faced cancellation due to construction delays, causing Seatrium shares to drop 6.5%. The U.S. offshore wind sector has faced regulatory challenges, including a stop-work order earlier this year under the Trump administration. Seatrium is assessing options, including legal action, while Equinor is reviewing alternatives for the vessel, which was originally scheduled for deployment in 2026, highlighting ongoing operational and regulatory complexities.Read more

Google will invest USD 10 billion to establish a large-scale data centre and artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking its biggest investment in India so far. The project involves building a 1-gigawatt data centre campus equipped with AI infrastructure, renewable energy systems, and expanded fibre-optic connectivity. The Andhra Pradesh government has also announced plans to scale data capacity to 6 GW in the coming years. However, some legal and land acquisition issues have arisen around the project's designated sites.Read more

Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) recently revealed that it had secured a contract valued at INR 204 crore from Hindalco Industries Limited for critical works linked to the Aditya aluminium smelter expansion project in Odisha. The contract encompasses fabrication, supply, and erection of pot shells and superstructure, representing a significant element of Hindalco's ongoing efforts to boost its aluminium smelting capacity by 200,000 tonnes per annum. The project highlights HCC's proven expertise in large-scale industrial construction and its ability to deliver complex assignments to international quality benchmarks.Read more

During the inauguration of the UP Trade Show Swadeshi Mela in Gorakhpur earlier this week, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath highlighted that the state's robust infrastructure, improved ease of doing business, and strong law and order have driven significant domestic and international investments. He noted that Uttar Pradesh had transformed from a once "BIMARU" state into an "enterprise-oriented" region, becoming a major contributor to the nation's economic growth under the double-engine government.Read more

The Tamil Nadu government has approved INR 1.2 crore for the development of road, water, and drainage infrastructure at the Thiruverumbur SIPCOT Industrial Park near Trichy Semi-Ring Road. Spread across 125 acres in Elandapatti and Suriyur villages, it will be Trichy's second major industrial estate after Manapparai SIPCOT. The state plans to allocate the park to a prominent electronics manufacturer, with support from Guidance Tamil Nadu. Proximity to Trichy International Airport is expected to boost land values, while infrastructure development will enhance investment and create employment in the region.Read more

Vietnam's State Treasury raised USD 232 million in a recent government bond auction, with sales substantially higher than the previous week. Nearly half of the bonds on offer were sold, bringing total government bond issuance for the year to USD 9.67 billion, aimed at funding public investment projects. While short- and medium-term bonds saw strong demand, long-term bonds attracted limited interest. Corporate bond issuance also remains robust, with significant activity in September and notable upcoming maturities in the real estate and banking sectors, highlighting the country's active debt market.Read more