Bitumen / Asphalt
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German road firms issued €10.5mn tender-rigging fines
German road firms issued €10.5mn tender-rigging fines
London, 14 May (Argus) — German competition authorities have found seven companies guilty of co-ordinating tenders and contracts with order values usually of between €40,000 and €200,000. The German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) imposed fines totalling €10.5mn ($11.8mn) on seven road repair companies for customer and tender collusion, it announced on 13 May. The companies involved are AS Asphaltstrassensanierung, bausion Strassenbau-Produkte, Bitunovia, Gerhard Herbers, alles fur den Bau, Mainka Strassenunterhaltung, and Muritzer Oberflechentechnik (Mot). The companies AS, bausion, Herbers and Bitunova were found to have divided various clients from the federal states of Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt among themselves across 2018 and 2019. In 2016-19, the companies bausion, Liesen, Mainka and Mot were discovered to have regularly co-ordinated on tenders from public contracting authorities in Brandenburg and, in 2016 and 2017, Saxony-Anhalt, and the companies Liesen and Mot also co-ordinated tenders in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The violations affected a large number of tenders and contracts from public contracting authorities such as municipalities and state road construction authorities. The orders included road repair measures including surface treatment, patching of road surfaces, crack repair or the supply of bitumen emulsion or chippings. In addition to breaking antitrust law, the bid agreements are also punishable under Section 298 of the Criminal Code. The findings came to a head when the German Federal Cartel Office carried out a search operation in August 2019 together with the Dusseldorf Public Prosecutor's Office and the North Rhine-Westphalia State Criminal Police Office. When setting the fine, it was taken into account that Bitunovia had co-operated with the federal office within the framework of the leniency programme. All proceedings were concluded by way of amicable settlement and the fine notices are final. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Construction firms see tepid private demand in 2025
Construction firms see tepid private demand in 2025
Houston, 30 April (Argus) — Building materials suppliers Martin Marietta and Vulcan Materials anticipate market uncertainty and elevated interest rates to hamper private construction demand this year. Some large commercial projects have been paused because of macroeconomic volatility stemming from US trade policies, according to remarks made by Vulcan's chief executive Tom Hill on an earnings call today. The current interest rate environment is also expected to stifle residential construction activity this year, according to Hill. The CME FedWatch tool showed a 95.5pc probability that the US Federal Reserve would hold its target interest rate steady at its next meeting on 7 May. Martin Marietta's chief executive Howard Nye echoed the same uncertainty around macroeconomic conditions and affordability constraints limiting residential construction growth. Hill and Nye also shared similar remarks on tariffs, and both noted the potential for increased costs but minimal impact on earnings. Both companies also pointed to data centers as a bright spot on the private demand side with warehouse construction stabilizing following years of declines. Sentiment around public demand was more positive with both Martin Marietta and Vulcan Materials expecting continued growth in public construction activities at the federal and state level. Hill mentioned more than half of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) highway funds are still yet to be spent. Nye said IIJA contributions will peak next year and expected the potential reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs to focus on roads, bridges and ports. Nye also said the push for a new $200/yr fee on electric vehicles was a "really good start" for tackling issues surrounding the Highway Trust Fund. Asphalt revenue jumps Martin Marietta's asphalt and paving revenue grew by 37pc to $80mn in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter last year with shipments up 26pc over the same period. The boost was supported by higher volumes in California, according to the company's earnings report. Some market participants in California noted demand for liquid asphalt was slightly above forecasts in January with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reporting below-average precipitation levels for the month. Martin Marietta's aggregates shipments also increased by roughly 7pc in the first quarter. Vulcan's asphalt revenue rose by about 12pc to roughly $209mn in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same quarter last year. Shipments were also up by 4pc over the same period. Hill noted savings on liquid asphalt reached around $3mn. Wholesale prices on the Gulf coast averaged about $397/st over the first quarter, 2pc below values from the same time in 2024. Aggregates shipments slipped by nearly 1pc in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Vulcan noted frigid temperatures hampered volumes in the quarter as acquisitions made last year helped offset some negative effects from adverse weather. Overall, Martin Marietta reported a gross profit of $335mn on revenue of $1.35bn in the first quarter. This is compared with a profit of $272mn on revenue of $1.25bn in the same quarter last year. Vulcan reported a gross profit of $365mn in the first quarter on revenue of about $1.64bn. This is up from a gross profit of $305mn in the first quarter of 2024 on revenue of roughly $1.55bn. By Cobin Eggers Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening
Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening
Houston, 24 April (Argus) — The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will delay the reopening of the Tennessee River's Wilson Lock by three weeks after high floodwater disrupted repair plans. The Wilson Lock is now planned to reopen in mid-June or July, the Corps said this week. The lock's main chamber has been closed since September after severe cracks were found in the structure. The Corps initiated evacuation procedures so personnel and equipment could be removed before any water entered the dewatered lock and ruined repairs after high water appeared too close to the lock's edge. The water did not crest above the temporary barrier the Corps installed to keep water out. Delays at the lock averaged around 10 days as of 24 April, according to the Corps. Barge carriers fees have been in place for each barge that must pass through the auxiliary chamber of the lock since 25 September, when the lock first closed. Restricted barge movement placed upward pressure on fertilizer prices in surrounding areas as well. The lock still requires structural repairs to the main chamber gates, including the replacement of the pintle components, the Corps said. This is the fourth opening delay the Corps have issued for the Wilson Lock, with the prior opening dates being in November , then April and then in June . The Wilson Lock will enter its eighth month of repairs next month. By Meghan Yoyotte and Sneha Kumar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Afrique Bitume receives first cargo at Morocco terminal
Afrique Bitume receives first cargo at Morocco terminal
London, 23 April (Argus) — Moroccan bitumen importer Afrique Bitume has started operations at its new 8,000t capacity terminal at Nador, eastern Morocco. The first bitumen arrived at the terminal on 18 April on board the 6,586dwt Iver Bitumen, which had previously discharged part of its cargo at an import terminal at Mohammedia. The new terminal at Nador, like Afrique Bitume's others near Mohammedia and Agadir, is close to the port area. Bitumen cargoes are discharged from tankers onto trucks and then transported by road to the terminal. Afrique Bitume began operating a new 8,000t capacity bitumen terminal at Agadir, southwest Morocco, last year. The expansion highlights the firm's efforts to compete with other importers like Sorexi and Colas Maroc, both of which have storage facilities along the Moroccan coast, including Mohammedia and Agadir. Sorexi also operates an import terminal at Nador. Afrique Bitume already had a 15,000t capacity bitumen storage facility near Mohammedia, equipped with polymer-modified bitumen production and storage units. The Moroccan road construction sector is growing rapidly as the country undertakes extensive infrastructure project work ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will host jointly with Spain and Portugal. Morocco relies on imports to meet all of it bitumen consumption. Some importers expect consumption to reach 600,000 t/yr in the next few years, up from around 400,000t last year. By Keyvan Hedvat Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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