Portugal’s New Housing Construction Costs Rise 4% in 2025 Portugal: Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE) reported that the average annual increase in the New Housing Construction Cost Index reached 4.0% in 2025, compared with 3.4% in 2024. The materials index rose by an average of 0.9% during the year, while the labour index increased by 7.7%. In December 2025, new housing construction costs rose 4.0% year-on-year, marking a slowdown from the previous month. Materia

European Parliament Committee Calls for EU Action on Housing Affordability European Union: The European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis has adopted its final recommendations on addressing the housing crisis across the European Union. The report calls for EU legislation to support the viability and cost of building new housing, while also urging targeted use of funding under the Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan to improve energy performance in residen

RICS Survey Signals Improved Construction Sentiment in Australia Australia: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has reported improving conditions in Australia’s construction industry in 2025, led by private non-residential work and infrastructure and public projects. The latest Global Construction Monitor showed the Construction Sentiment Index rising to plus 21 from plus 15, returning to levels last seen in 2023. Infrastructure performance remained supported

India Pushes Higher AC Efficiency As rising temperatures, longer heatwaves and rapid urbanisation fuel a surge in cooling demand, India is taking decisive steps to improve air conditioner (AC) energy efficiency and reduce pressure on its power grid. Policymakers believe that stricter efficiency standards and responsible cooling practices could significantly curb electricity consumption, lower household bills and cut carbon emissions. India currently adds an estimated 13–15 mi

Sign MOU to Expand Smart Sanitary Ware Market Thailand: SCG Decor Public Company Limited (SCGD), a leading ceramics, surface decoration materials, and sanitary ware company in the ASEAN region, through Siam Sanitary Ware Company Limited (COTTO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Switzerland-based AXENT, a specialist in smart sanitary ware technology, to explore comprehensive growth opportunities in the smart sanitary ware market across Southeast Asia. The pa

Acquire LiquidStack to Expand Data Center Ireland: Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator headquartered in Swords, Ireland, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LiquidStack, a global leader in liquid cooling technology for data centers based in Carrollton, Texas, to strengthen its position as a full-service provider of end-to-end data center thermal management solutions. Building on its minority investment in 2023, the acquisition will enhance Trane’s ca

Expands in Germany Germany: Eiffage Énergie Systèmes, through its German subsidiary Salvia, has acquired 100% of HTW Engineers, an engineering consultancy specializing in Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems, as part of Salvia’s strategy to strengthen its expertise and footprint in the German engineering market. Founded in 1969, HTW Engineers generated revenue of nearly EUR 10 million (USD 10.8 million) in 2024 and operates from key locations in Düsseldorf, Berli

Raises FY2025 Outlook Japan: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, reported a order intake up 12.6% year-on-year increase in order intake to YEN 5,029.1 billion (USD 33.7 billion) for the three quarters ended December 31, 2025, while revenue rose 9.2% to YEN 3,326.9 billion (USD 22.3 billion). Business profit grew 25.5% to YEN 301.2 billion (USD 2.0 billion), representing a margin of 9.1%, and net income increased 22.6% to YEN 210.9 billion (USD 1.4 billion), with a net income margin

Launches First India Manufacturing Plant India: Chinese consumer electronics company Hisense has commissioned its first india manufacturing plant through a joint venture with Epack Manufacturing Technologies, a subsidiary of Epack Durable, at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. Spread across 10 acres within Epack Durable’s industrial park, the plant has been developed with an investment of over USD 30 million and will begin commercial production in February 2026. The facility will ini

Q2 Profit Jumps India: V-Guard reported a strong performance Q2 profit jumps, with sales rising nearly 14% to Rs 495 crores (USD 59.0 million) and profit after tax increasing about 70% to Rs 39.2 crores (USD 4.7 million). Growth was driven primarily by its large product categories, with the water heater segment recording approximately 25% growth, while kitchen appliances in the small appliances category surged nearly 50% during the quarter. Margins expanded across all categor

Heating Ban Improves Beijing Air Quality China: China has been working to improve air quality, particularly in and around Beijing, by banning residential coal heating and mandating a shift to natural gas or electricity. Natural gas is three times more expensive than coal or electricity, and millions of rural homes around Beijing were required from around 2017 to dismantle small coal furnaces and transition to cleaner alternatives, supported initially by generous subsidies and

Acerpure Launches Chill Inverter Window AC Philippines: Acer’s lifestyle brand, Acerpure, has entered the large-appliance segment in the Philippines with the launch of the Acerpure Chill Inverter AC, a new range of window-type air conditioners featuring efficient cooling, smart functionality, and eco-friendly technology. The units are equipped with a Dual Inverter Compressor using two rotors to deliver faster cooling with lower electricity consumption, quieter operation, stab