11:00 - 12:30
Celebrating Innovation:
showcasing concrete technology
The groundbreaking ideas, projects, and technologies that are reshaping the concrete construction landscape in the UK. Discover success stories that highlight the creativity and progress within the field, and the sector-specific challenges and solutions.
Add this session to your calendar
11:00 - 11:05
Introduction
Susannah Streeter, Host
11:05 - 11:15
Innovation: driving a more sustainable concrete future
We have become used to the idea that concrete has a large carbon footprint, but does that really have to be the case? Ian will argue that we already know how to make concrete with much lower carbon footprint and significantly better resource efficiency. We are seeing innovation progress in 4 key areas: 1) the use of different binder systems such as Hoffmann Green Cement; 2) recycling of concrete into concrete rather than downcycling into fill; 3) greater use of SCMs such as calcined clays and natural pozzolans; and 4) the use of new types of additive, such as graphene and carbon nano-tubes. Taken together these developments offer the prospect that for at least some applications we may be able to reach carbon neutrality or even net sequestration of CO2.
Ian Riley, CEO, World Cement Association
11:15 - 11:35
Concrete evolution: unleashing digital tools for low carbon construction
The session explores the intersection of digital innovation and sustainability, focusing on low carbon concrete. Gain insights on cutting-edge technologies, showcasing how digital tools enhance decision-making, improve project performance and mitigate risks. Learn how these tools enable the use of low carbon concrete, reducing environmental footprints. Join us for a glimpse into a future where sustainable building practices are seamlessly integrated with digital concrete services, reshaping the construction industry
Paul O'Hanlon, Global R&D Project Manager, Holcim
11:35 - 11:55
Developing concrete products in a sustainable and cost-effective eco-system
The challenge for all concrete producers, is not the ability to achieve the sustainability goals associated with decarbonisation of concrete, or material substitution from primaty virgin to secondary recovered materials, but more to do with the ability to achieve this and deliver to the customer at a price that is at least a cost neutral. Over the past 10 years or so we have seen many innovative technological solutions to significant reduce embodied carbon, especially in the realm of the binders used in concrete. However, though able to deliver the carbon savings, many have fallen by the wayside because of the cost, or the scalability of the solution, in short a lack of material availability, to a mass market.
Some analysts have stated that in order for a "green solution" to make an instant market impact and have traction, it has to deliver all the technical requirements at 80%-90% of the existing cost of the standard product.
The question therefore for most concrete product manufacturers is, "is it really possible to deliver more for less?" Can we ever achieve this 'Holy Grail' of matching existing performance with real green credentials, and maintain or reduce the cost to the customer?
This presentation will look at some of the more viable potential solutions for delivery of, or at least a glimpse, of the 'Holy Grail'.
Dr Andrew Smith, Head of Materials Development, Forterra PLC, and Associate Professor of Mineral Product Technology, University of Derby
11:55 - 12:15
Seratech: Transforming CO2 into Sustainable Cement
In this presentation, Sam will give an overview of Seratech’s approach to decarbonise cement production. Seratech is a spin-out company from Imperial College London that mineralises CO2 within naturally abundant magnesium silicates to produce a siliceous supplementary cementitious material (SCM) for use in ready mix concrete, and magnesium carbonate – a binder for concrete products. Sam will outline the technology and Seratech’s route to large-scale market adoption in the UK and Europe to realise their target of mitigating 10Mt of CO2 per year by 2033.
Sam Draper, CEO & Co-founder, Seratech
12:15 - 12:30
Panel discussion
