CRH to acquire SCM leader Eco Material

CRH has agreed to acquire US-based Eco Material Technologies for $2.1 billion (£1.64 billion), significantly strengthening its position in the North American market for supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).

Eco Material processes and supplies fly ash, pozzolans, synthetic gypsum and green cement across more than 125 sites. Its operations handle around 7 million tonnes of fly ash and 3 million tonnes of synthetic gypsum annually, with more capacity under construction.

CRH said the deal would help secure long-term supply of critical materials, support growth in infrastructure modernisation, and put the group “at the forefront of the transition to next generation cement and concrete.”

Chief executive Jim Mintern said the transaction “further positions CRH as a leading cementitious player in North America with both cement and SCM capabilities,” adding: “With more than 1,100 Eco Material employees joining the CRH team, our combined operations create a more connected business to better serve our customers.”

Eco Material CEO Grant Quasha welcomed the move, saying CRH’s scale and customer focus aligned with his firm’s core values.

The deal is expected to close in 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. CRH will fund the acquisition from existing cash reserves.

Why this matters to the UK concrete sector:
The move underscores growing demand for SCMs, such as fly ash and pozzolans, in the transition to lower-carbon concrete. UK producers watching global supply chains, sustainability trends and innovation in cement substitutes may find lessons in CRH’s investment strategy.