Building Materials

Fire-Resistant Glass Market to Hit $18.09B by 2031, Grows 9.2%

Delray Beach, Fla. – September 08, 2026 -- The global fire-resistant glass market is projected to expand from USD 11.65 billion in 2026 to USD 18.09 billion by 2031, a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%, according to new research from MarketsandMarkets.

Building and construction absorbs 83.7% of market value

The building & construction segment accounted for 83.7% of fire-resistant glass value in 2025 and is also expected to post the fastest growth through 2031. Stringent building codes and rising demand for fire protection in residential, commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects are pushing adoption of the material in doors, partitions, facades, windows, and curtain walls. Growth in high-rise construction, healthcare facilities, and transportation infrastructure is widening the addressable base.

Gurunavi Brings 1,000-Year-Old Odate Magewappa Craft to Paris

Tokyo – September 08, 2026 -- Gurunavi, Inc. will open a dedicated "JAPAN WOOD x CRAFTSMANSHIP" pavilion at MAISON & OBJET PARIS 2026, running September 10-14 at Paris Nord Villepinte, showcasing more than 40 Japanese wood products alongside live demonstrations of a 1,000-year-old craft tradition.

Master craftsman demonstrates rare Odate Magewappa techniques live in Paris

Yoshimasa Shibata, one of only 16 state-certified masters of Odate Magewappa in Japan, will perform live demonstrations of "Mage-kakou," a bending process in which cedar wood is softened in water above 80°C and shaped instantly by hand, followed by "Kaba-toji,

Concrete Superplasticizers Market to Hit $10.54B by 2031 on PCE Demand

Delray Beach, Fla. – – September 07, 2026 -- The global concrete superplasticizers market is set to expand from USD 7.93 billion in 2026 to USD 10.54 billion by 2031, a 5.8% compound annual growth rate, according to MarketsandMarkets. Demand is being driven by rising infrastructure investment, ready-mix and precast concrete adoption, and the push to cut water use through polycarboxylate ether (PCE) polymer chemistry.

Middle East & Africa becomes the fastest-growing regional market at 6.6% CAGR

Saudi Arabia is the primary growth engine, with a future construction pipeline estimated at USD 1.52 trillion (SAR 5.7 trillion) in 2024, equal to 39% of the entire MENA region's pipeline. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 program requires more than 1.5 million housing units across five major cities by 2030, alongside transportation, energy, and tourism projects that depend on high-performance, durable concrete formulations.

STANLEY Enters Flooring Market via Area Floors, i4F Drop-Lock Deal

Turnhout – – September 07, 2026 -- STANLEY® has entered the global flooring market for the first time, launching SPC flooring collections across the EMEA region through a strategic partnership with Istanbul-based manufacturer Area Floors and Belgian technology group i4F®.

STANLEY licenses its 175-year-old brand into flooring for the first time

Founded in 1843, STANLEY is extending its brand beyond tools into residential construction and renovation flooring. The new SPC (stone polymer composite) collections are currently in production and will be commercialized across EMEA in 2026, marking STANLEY's debut in the global floating floor category.

STANLEY® Enters EMEA Flooring Market via Area Floors, i4F Tie-Up

Turnhout, Belgium – September 07, 2026 -- STANLEY® has entered the global flooring market for the first time through a strategic partnership with Istanbul-based manufacturer Area Floors, launching SPC flooring collections built entirely on i4F Drop-Lock installation technology. The products are already in production and will roll out across the EMEA region during 2026.

STANLEY® debuts first-ever flooring line under licensing deal with Area Floors

The collections mark STANLEY®'s expansion into floating SPC (Stone Polymer Core) flooring, targeting the residential and renovation segments. Area Floors, which operates automated manufacturing facilities and has international export experience, is responsible for product development and manufacturing under the agreement.