Global Scans · Construction · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: 65 per cent of global construction growth for the next decade will happen in emerging markets. Smart cities, sustainable construction, greater urbanization and pre-fabricated buildings will all play their part in future construction growth.

• [New] Major works construction is expected to commence in Q3 2026 and is anticipated to last approximately two years, with the first gold pour expected in Q3 2028 and full production rates before the end of 2028. Artemis Gold Inc.
• [New] EP2 represents a significant addition to processing plant capacity from the previously announced Phase 1 A project, which is currently in construction, growing from an expected 8 million tonnes per annum before the end of 2026 to 21 Mtpa before the end of 2028. Artemis Gold Inc.
• [New] The volume of construction output worldwide is projected to grow by 85% by 2030. Science Based Targets Initiative
• [New] A major update to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules regarding safety and health regulations for the construction industry will soon mandate that employers provide personal protective equipment (PPE) that properly fits workers based on their unique body type. Fisher Phillips
• [New] Civil and Sector Outlook Civil construction is projected to rebound from 2026 onward, boosted by sustained investment in Data Centers and an 8% annual growth in Power and Communications between 2026 and 2029. ConstructConnect
• [New] Institutional construction will likely see steady growth as well, with spending expected to reach $274.9 billion in 2026. ConstructConnect
• [New] Ottawa will now require the use of Canadian-produced steel, aluminum, and wood products in federal construction and defence projects. Aluminum Market Update
• [New] Over the remainder of the forecast period, the construction industry is expected to rebound at an average annual growth rate of 4.4% from 2026 to 2029, supported by investments in transport, health, and education infrastructure projects. / New Zealand Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] New Zealand's construction industry is anticipated to contract by 3.3% in real terms in 2025, owing to rising debt, a fall in building permits, labour shortage, and increasing construction material costs - particularly for cement. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] Key opportunities in New Zealand's construction sector include investments in transport, health, and education infrastructure, driven by a government push for renewable energy and net-zero emissions. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] Construction progressed on the next generation of projects, aimed at serving Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia, and several large-scale ones should reach full power in 2026. The Equation
• [New] About 7 GW of projects were expected to be completed during the year, including more than 3 GW in North America, signaling a notably active construction cycle. DataCenterKnowledge
• [New] In 2026, extrusion partners offering fast lead times, design support, and turnkey fabrication will be best positioned to support complex, next-generation products. Profile Precision Extrusions
• [New] The Central Association of the German Construction Industry forecasts a slight real increase in sector turnover of 0.6% in 2025, reversing three years of decline, followed by a 2.5% surge in 2026. / Germany Yahoo Finance
• [New] In Europe, policymakers are explicitly prioritizing faster approvals for grid projects as part of a competitiveness push, while Germany's construction industry is already pointing to a massive infrastructure investment plan as a catalyst for a 2025-2026 recovery in civil works. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Canada selects Ottawa-Montreal as first phase of its inaugural high-speed rail network, with construction from 2029 and nationwide consultations beginning in 2026. Global Railway Review
• [New] Continued aggressive investment in new fabrication plants (fabs) across diverse geographies will aim to rebalance global production and enhance supply chain resilience. Observer News Enterprise
• [New] Figueruela's status as a symbol of Spain's green transition has been further boosted recently, as work starts nearby on the construction of a vast factory that will produce batteries for electric vehicles. BBC News
• [New] The U.S. pipeline has 1,118 projects under construction, with most set for 2026 completion. Meetings Today
• [New] A 16-acre site near the Philadelphia International Airport will soon become a gateway for cruise travel as construction has begun on the PhilaPort Cruise Terminal set to open in April of 2026. NBC 10 Philadelphia
• If successfully scaled, carbon-negative materials like ESM could become a cornerstone of sustainable construction and play a meaningful role in global climate strategies. Net Zero Compare
• Low-carbon or carbon-negative materials are expected to be central to decarbonizing the global construction sector. Net Zero Compare
• Underground construction is roughly twice as expensive per foot as aerial, and local permitting and make-ready rules - key policy focus areas going into 2026 - remain critical friction points. Cartesian

Last updated: 31 December 2025