Development & Construction

Alternatives to steel Are they changing the rules for building structures?

Reading time: 3 MinutesAmid ongoing fluctuations in global steel prices and growing environmental pressures to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector, the search for new alternatives to traditional steel is accelerating in ... Read more

A review of applications of engineered wood, polymer fibers, and bamboo as practical alternatives to steel with advantages and limitations

19/06/2025

Saudi Contractors Authority Contractors Authority

Launch of the National Talent Development Program in the Contracting Sector... Learn more about it

Registration has begun for the sixth edition of the "Be a Contractor" national talent development program in the contracting sector in Riyadh.

Construction leads the flow of foreign investment to Saudi Arabia with 34.5 billion riyals

According to the General Statistics Authority data, the manufacturing industry came in second, and it also topped the list of foreign outflows from the Kingdom at the end of 2025.

Infographic | Guidelines on Construction Worker Safety to Protect Them from Hazards and Injuries

The Saudi Contractors Authority emphasizes the use of protective equipment, the regulation of work in the sun, and ensuring medical treatment and compensation for work-related injuries.

Light-Gauge Steel Construction... Is It Spelling the End of the Era of Cement Blocks and Concrete?

Light-gauge steel framing technology relies on the use of cold-formed steel sections, which are assembled to form a cohesive and sturdy structure as an alternative to concrete structures.

Cement Sales Last Month... What Happened to Production and Export Figures?

Digital twins: A technology that reduces rework in construction projects

The site is linked to a live digital version that detects deviations early, reducing demolition and delays and improving the quality of implementation.

More than 200,000 meters of rainwater drainage networks were completed during the first half of 2026

As part of the municipal infrastructure projects, the works included main and branch networks, culverts, canals and retaining walls to enhance the cities’ readiness for rain and floods.

Saudi Arabia's Steel Sector

Iron and electrical cables led the surge in building material prices last month.

Data from August 2026 shows an annual jump in cables and reinforcing steel in Saudi Arabia, compared to a decline in concrete and blocks.

Construction costs in Saudi Arabia rose by 2.31 TP3T during August.

Driven by rising energy, equipment and labor costs, with a greater increase in the non-residential sector compared to the residential sector.

Construction activities increased by 9.52 billion riyals by the end of the second quarter of 2026

The growth in real estate and construction raised their combined value to 171.7 billion riyals, despite their contribution to the GDP declining to 13.59%.

Concrete prices declined during August, while cement prices varied.

Concrete prices in Saudi Arabia decreased during August, while prices for cement, sand, gypsum and blocks varied, according to statistics data.

Report reveals: 20% rise in building material costs disrupts housing supply plans

A Knight Frank report warns that soaring construction costs could delay unit deliveries and put pressure on the viability of housing projects.

Cement prices fall

The cement market remains stable locally despite a decline in exports in August.

Domestic deliveries rose marginally to 4.5 million tons, while exports fell to 191 TP3T amid geopolitical pressures and a year-on-year decline in indicators.

Cement sales reached 4.58 million tons last month, while inventory stands at 45.9 million tons.

Stable domestic sales limited the impact of declining exports, while clinker stocks continued to rise with clear variations between companies and regions.

Mithman Company Logo

«Muthaman» Returns to LEAP 2026 with a Broader Range of Solutions to Support Real Estate Decision-Making and Empower Experts

Next

© 2026 Amlak Real Estate Newspaper | All rights reserved.