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] AI adoption in commercial buildings could reduce energy use by 8-19% by 2050, with up to a 40% reduction combined with aggressive policy, through applications across equipment efficiency, occupancy optimization, and building controls. California Climate Briefs
• [New] Nucor having spent $20 billion is in the midst of construction of a new grassroot steel sheet mill in Apple Grove, West Virginia, due to come online in 2027. Industrial Info Resources
• [New] U.S. data center construction spending is projected to rise 23% in 2026, and that data centers could generate $10 billion in new insurance premium in 2026. Mean CEO's BLOG
• [New] Asia-Pacific Highest CAGR: Breakneck smart city construction in China, India, and Japan, coupled with rising threat awareness and evolving regulatory frameworks, creates explosive growth potential. openpr
• [New] More than 245,100 construction workers are projected to retire by 2032, leading to a shortage of more than 61,400 workers. / Canada The Guardian
• [New] Construction of a nuclear plant is expected to begin in 2027, with up to 14,500 temporary construction workers anticipated at peak. / USA Meetings Today
• [New] Between 2024 and 2027, annual investment in data center buildings rises 2.2 times, from US$ 113.8 billion to US$ 251.8 billion. PwC
• [New] As the world races to unlock the full potential of AI, a surge in spending on data center buildings is rapidly unfolding and comes in addition to investment in ICT equipment, such as chips and servers. PwC
• [New] Buildings are major contributors to global energy use and CO2 emissions, so it's no surprise that improving their efficiency will be a central focus in the years ahead. cities-to-be
• [New] Modular home construction methods could see greater demand in the coming years as cost-conscious builders seek new ways to deliver homes at attainable prices while preserving profit margins. Yahoo Finance
• [New] In 2026, continued policy support for infrastructure and export manufacturing is expected to sustain high demand for construction-grade cellulose aethers. / China Persistence Market Research
• [New] Ongoing advancements in the field of bio-fabrication is another crucial factor that is anticipated to push 4D printing demand by 2032. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Announced new hydrogen pipeline projects could reach ~37,000-40,000 km by 2035, with the vast majority concentrated in Europe and China, but only a small share has reached FID or construction, leaving a large delivery gap between ambition and built reality. Precedence Research
• [New] The India Semiconductor Mission is backed by a Rs76,000 crore Production Linked Incentive framework and aims to build India's domestic semiconductor ecosystem from chip design through fabrication to final packaging and testing by 2030. MCQ Orbit
• [New] The construction sector faces a projected deficit of 349,000 workers in 2026 and 456,000 in 2027. eplaneai
• [New] Back to the Insurance Journal piece, one detail deserves more attention: data center construction spending is projected to jump sharply, and related facilities could generate $10 billion in new premium in 2026. Mean CEO's BLOG
• [New] Kairos Power started construction on a new facility that will produce Flibe molten salt coolant for its Hermes reactor. Energy.gov
• [New] Molecular engineering will produce new building materials that will allow for both cheaper and stronger construction. ExtraSlice
• [New] Construction of Entropy's Glacier Carbon Capture and Storage phase 2 project is expected to be completed in mid-2026, substantially decarbonizing the Glacier facility and driving a positive step change in Entropy's operating income from power sales and contractually guaranteed carbon pricing. Advantage Energy Ltd.
• [New] As the Olympics build ramps up from late 2026 through to mid-2031, construction capacity that might otherwise go into residential development will get absorbed into the Olympics pipeline. Property Update

Last updated: 20 May 2026