Construction

Swappable battery docks. (Image source: Hitachi Construction Machinery)

Hitachi Construction Machinery, a construction machinery manufacturer, has announced a collaboration with Dimaag-Al, a leading provider of electric solutions, to design and deliver to the market a 1.7-ton electrified hydraulic excavator

Expected to be completed by December 2024, the partnership aims to unveil the vehicle at Bauma 2025 in Munich before launching the product on the European market in 2027. The industry-leading machine will be geared towards use in urban construction and indoor demolition.

“To realise zero-emission, it is important to provide not only our products but also solutions combined with related products such as energy storage system,” remarked Kazunori Nakamura, vice president and executive officer, CTO, president of Power & Info Control Platform Business Unit and Research & Development Group. “For this purpose, the collaboration with various partners is the key to success. Since the battery module for this collaboration from Dimaag is versatile and applicable to various electric products, further acceleration of the electrification at construction sites can be expected. We are excited to partner with an innovative company like Dimaag and would like to expand our electrified vehicle lineup.”

High power construction machinery

Hitachi will provide technical information of the base machine and specification requirements for the electrification while Dimaag will integrate its Electric No Compromise Off-Road Ecosystem (ENCORE). First showcased at Consumer Electric Show 2024, ENCORE is comprised of Dimaag’s high power, swappable battery modules, advanced thermal management system, inverters, motors, power electronics and software for EVs as well as charging stations.

Ian Wright, cofounder of Tesla and VP engineering at Dimaag, commented, “Dimaag’s ENCORE technology has been deployed across multiple prototype off-road vehicles to validate our design intent of no compromise on safety, all-day performance, and affordability. We are honoured to partner with Hitachi Construction Machinery to be a pioneer and enable economies of scale for the ENCORE tech stack. This partnership marks a significant step towards achieving electrification of agricultural and construction machinery, with no compromises.”

Additive packages from BASF have been specifically tailored to suit the unique weather conditions of the region.

Takazuri and BASF have teamed up to deliver durable smart building solutions in Eastern Africa, focusing on climate resilience with sustainable products

This collaboration features Takazuri’s Climatile technology, which uses locally sourced and processed post-consumer materials, paired with BASF’s additive packages customised for the region’s unique weather conditions. The aim is to offer long-lasting, eco-friendly solutions that drive economic development in Africa and positively impact the construction industry and local communities, with the potential to expand to other regions.

“Sustainability is at the core of our business. Our commitment is reflected in our products, which are designed for high performance and multi-functionality while utilising locally collected and converted waste from urban settings, and soon, from ocean plastics collected off the Kenyan coast,” explained Maria Schlesinger, co-founder and CEO of Takazuri.

According to the African Development Bank Group, Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050. This rapid growth and urbanisation are increasing plastic waste and the demand in construction sectors. Takazuri aims to address this by providing affordable climate resilience solutions through local resources and partnerships in various sectors, including housing, commercial, healthcare, education, and humanitarian relief.

Climatile is a roofing and cladding solution designed to enhance indoor temperatures with superior insulation and improved solar reflectance and emittance. It also features a safe rainwater-harvesting surface that resists corrosion. The Climatile system includes a smart clipping mechanism that enables the addition of functional accessories, such as ultra-light frameless solar panels and biophilic components, making it an “upgradable” solution for climate resilience.

Takazuri has been committed to advancing Kenya’s role in climate action and sustainable construction. With products projected to expand across the region and continent, Takazuri is leading the charge towards a more resilient and eco-friendly construction industry in Africa.

“Throughout the development of our technology, BASF has been an invaluable partner, assisting us in areas such as process optimisation, thermal stabilization, and enhancing the service life of the post-consumer recyclates. BASF’s expertise has been crucial in creating additive packages tailored to the region's harsh weather conditions,” added Schlesinger.

Takazuri has also partnered with Gabriel Chemie, a prominent European masterbatch producer, to supply customised Combi-Batch containing colors and stabilizers. This helps ensure dispersion and homogeneity in the polymer matrix during tile conversion.

Plastics require stabilization against thermal and photo-oxidation to meet processing, life cycle, and application requirements. Additive stabilizers are essential not only for virgin plastics but also for improving the quality of post-consumer recyclates used in sustainable applications like Climatile. Proper restabilization with antioxidants and light stabilizers is critical for ensuring the long-lasting performance of Climatile technology, offering leak-free roofing at an affordable cost.

“Our team worked closely with the Takazuri team to understand the technical requirements, specifications, and market positioning of Climatile. This collaboration allowed us to design an optimal additive system to address the challenges of using post-consumer recycled materials for extended outdoor exposure,” said Bettina Sobotka, head of global marketing and development, plastic additives at BASF. “We hope this collaboration benefits the construction sector and local communities in East Africa, fostering economic growth.”

Construction of the flagship N2WCR project. (Image source: SANRAL)

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) expects to award a further R3.8bn (approx. US$212mn) by the end of the year

The new flurry of awards follows R1.4bn (approx. US$79mn) the organisation has awarded in tenders in its Southern Region since the start of the 2024/25 financial year. These include the likes of the contract for the construction of the R61 section between Luqoqweni and Bambisana; the upgrading of the N2 section from Bloukfrans to Storms Rivers; and the contract for the slope stabilisation along the R61 section near Cofimvaba.

“Our accelerated road infrastructure build programme is on track to bring the state of the province’s road network to a pristine and safe driving standard while improving accessibility in rural and remote areas of the Eastern Cape,” remarked Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s southern region manager. “Since the beginning of this financial year, we have awarded 12 road infrastructure contracts amounting to a total investment of R1.4bn. Furthermore, 24 tenders are in evaluation stage, and we anticipate these to be awarded in the last quarter of the year.”

More construction contracts to come

The contracts still expected to be issued before the year – most currently in the evaluation phase – include the upgrading of the R61 sections from All Saints to Bhaziya and between Qumanco and Ngcobo; the upgrading of the Pikoli to Glenmore access road from the N2 intersection; and the upgrading of the R62 from Louterwater to Kareedouw.

“The bulk of the investment will be in the Eastern part of the province, which is the most populous area of the Eastern Cape and where the road infrastructure is lacking,” continued Peterson. “Our focus will largely be around Mthatha as a key economic hub of the province with a total investment of around R5bn to improve mobility in and out of the city along the N2 from Viedgesvile to the city centre and later in 2025 on the R61 from the Mthatha Airport to Madeira Street.”