News 2026

On 1st April, the Steering Committee of FIEC met in the offices of Confindustria Udine, in Italy. One of the main issues on the agenda was the impact of the war in the Middle East on the construction industry.

The increases in the costs of energy (fuel) and of materials (steel, cement, bitumen/asphalt, pipes, insultation, coatings, etc.) is a major concern for the sector and a survey has been launched, in order to identify possible emergency measures.

The Steering Committee, chaired by President Piero Petrucco, also visited a worksite in the port of Trieste, where the company ICOP is using 2 robot-platforms for complex maintenance operations of one of the piers. This innovative technology can perform complex tasks autonomously thanks to intelligent hydraulic arms, high-resolution cameras, advanced sensors and a sophisticated artificial intelligence system, and is capable of handling everything from high-pressure cleaning and waterproofing to hydro-scouring and structural restoration of concrete.
The platforms incorporate a self-learning AI system capable of mapping surfaces in detail, detecting anomalies, and autonomously planning and managing interventions. Thanks to hydraulic arms controlled by underwater encoders, the robots adapt their movements in real time to the shape of the structures.

Innovation, digitalisation and robotisation are already a reality.