Researchers are developing 3D-printed floor beams made from plastic waste that meet building regulations and could replace wood in housing construction in the future. The approach is aimed at lightweight, modular constructions and making plastic waste usable as a resource in global housing

Don't burn waste wood, shape it. A research project by the University of Kassel and Buro Happold shows how waste wood can be 3D printed into load-bearing wall modules and how circular construction begins at the design

Cities of all sizes face a common challenge: their key infrastructure was never designed for the relentless pace of modern life. Millions of people rely on systems that are decades old, well past their intended lifespan and incompatible with climate

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, three start-ups that emerged from Empa will show how Swiss research is turning into market-ready hardware innovations for energy storage, photovoltaics and electronics cooling. The focus is on ultra-thin solid-state batteries, silent cooling technology for high-performance

Rio Tinto and Glencore are negotiating a potential mega merger that could create the world's largest mining and commodities group with a strong focus on copper. Rio Tinto must decide by February 5, 2026 at the latest whether a binding offer will be made. Whether the Zug-based group will actually be

Holcim has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Peruvian construction company Cementos Pacasmayo. The transaction, with a volume of USD 1.5 billion, is intended to strengthen Holcim's presence in Latin America and is a central component of the NextGen Growth 2030

Holcim has expanded its European portfolio for recycling building materials. Three acquired companies in England, Germany and France with a capacity of 1.3 million tons of construction and demolition materials will contribute to the Group's goal of recycling over 20 million tons by

At an ancient building site in Pompeii, researchers have discovered evidence of a hot-mixing process for Roman concrete. The discovery strengthens the theory of self-healing concrete and contradicts the traditional description by the architect Vitruvius. With consequences for the understanding of

China is at a turning point. While electric cars, AI and green tech dominate the headlines, a deep-seated real estate crisis is eating away at the foundation of the economy. Major developers are faltering, provinces are groaning under debt, deflation is eating away at confidence and yet Beijing is

With the GlobalBuildingAtlas, a research team from the Technical University of Munich has for the first time created an almost seamless, freely available 3D map of all buildings on Earth. It forms the basis for new applications in climate research, urban planning, from megacities to rural

On Lake Neusiedl, a detached house with a thatched roof shows how circular construction can be achieved with local, regenerative materials. The building combines architectural quality, ecological responsibility and pioneering work for natural building materials in new construction. With appeal far

Sika has acquired Awazil Al Khaleej Industrial Co (Gulf Seal). The manufacturer of bitumen membranes for waterproofing operates its plant in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It has established export channels to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation

Zurich North America and Zurich Resilience Solutions (ZRS) are teaming up with Arrowsight, an expert in video-based safety for construction projects. The background to this is a multi-year pilot program in New York City, in which occupational accidents on Arrowsight construction sites have fallen

Europe is entering a new era of earth observation. From 2027, CO2M satellites will for the first time provide comprehensive, high-resolution measurement data on CO2 and methane, right down to individual industrial plants. The necessary technologies were developed by Empa research teams, who are

The Sagrada Família has reached a historic milestone. At 162.91 meters, it has topped Ulm Minster since October 2025 and is now the tallest church in the world. However, the building is far more than just a height record. It is an example of visionary structural engineering, digital planning and

A building material that surpasses the strength of steel and yet is renewable. The vision sounds futuristic, but it is taking shape. After years of research, the US start-up Inventwood has brought so-called Superwood into mass production. The material was developed at the Department of Materials

Digital parking systems, data-driven land use and artificial intelligence. After Expo Real 2025, it is clear that the mobility turnaround has long since arrived on the land of the real estate industry. Europe's leading free-flow provider Wemolo identifies five trends that are transforming parking

Power-generating windows are no longer a dream of the future. New developments from research and industry are turning glass surfaces in façades into active energy sources without compromising the

Stable system operation is essential for the success of the energy transition. In the future, renewable power sources and storage systems will have to take on grid-forming properties. Fraunhofer ISE's new test procedure provides clarity in the market and accelerates the development of

Researchers at TU Berlin have achieved a breakthrough: They have developed a new class of silicon-based super Lewis acids that can break down even extremely stable compounds such as PFAS. This opens up prospects for green chemistry, recycling processes and the degradation of highly hazardous

Nuclear waste is seen as a burden for future generations, but researchers are now discovering an opportunity. Radioactive waste could help to produce the urgently needed fuel tritium for nuclear fusion. This brings closer a technology that could supply enormous amounts of energy and give a decisive

A new partnership between ABB Robotics and the US company Cosmic Buildings is bringing movement to housing construction. Mobile, AI-powered microfactories will be used to build homes in disaster areas three times faster, safer and more cost-effectively. The approach could fundamentally change the

Greece's Ellinikon megaproject is setting new standards in urban development. With smart buildings, a huge coastal park and a network of cycle paths instead of

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have developed a method to control the flow of electricity in ultra-thin metal films at room temperature using light. This discovery could revolutionize the development of new, highly efficient components in optoelectronics and quantum

Pom Group AG is embarking on a new phase of growth together with a long-term investor. The focus is on digitalisation, artificial intelligence and sustainability, driven by technological innovation and an international scaling

The builder's lien protects contractors and tradesmen in the event of outstanding receivables. An entry represents a massive risk for the

BRUGG Pipes has produced its first ready-to-sell pipe system in the USA. The Aargau-based company has co-operated with Rovanco Piping Systems in Joliet. The new production plant in Joliet is a joint venture between the two

Sika has expanded one site each in China and Brazil and built a new plant in Morocco. The globally active speciality chemicals company for construction and industry aims to benefit from the growth of the construction industry in these

Switzerland climbs to first place in the IMD's World Competitiveness Ranking 2025. An impressive signal of stability, efficiency and future viability in an increasingly fragmented global market. While protectionist tendencies are on the rise and geopolitical tensions are making international

The Huayanli complex in Shanghai is the first time a 7,500-tonne historical ensemble in the Shikumen style has been relocated with the help of 432 specialized robots. The project combines technological precision, urban planning foresight and the protection of cultural identity in a remarkable