Building Materials

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

Tokyo – September 09, 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 08, 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 Tech Deal

Turnhout – September 08, 2026 -- STANLEY® is entering the global flooring market through a strategic partnership with Istanbul-based manufacturer Area Floors, launching its first branded flooring line built entirely on i4F® drop-lock installation technology.

STANLEY SPC flooring range enters production for 2026 EMEA rollout

The STANLEY® SPC flooring collection is currently in production and will be introduced across the EMEA region in 2026. Area Floors, which operates automated manufacturing facilities and holds international export experience, will develop and produce the range, marking the first STANLEY®-branded flooring products to reach the EMEA market.

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

Turnhout – – September 08, 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 08, 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.