STOCK WATCH

BUILDING materials group Sigmaroc rose 2.3pc, or 2.5p, to 113p after it announced a deal with FTSE250 concrete maker Marshalls to develop more environmentally-friendly production methods.

The tie-up will allow Marshalls (down 0.25pc, or 2p, to 811.5p) to create alternatives to its existing products that produce fewer emissions when they are made, Sigmaroc said.

In February, Sigmaroc launched the UK’s first cement-free concrete block, which is designed to produce 73pc less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than traditional concrete during production.