10:25 - 12:30

Sustainable concrete solutions for a greener tomorrow

As the industry moves towards the Net Zero 2050 goal, lower-carbon concrete is becoming a priority. This session explores key technologies driving decarbonisation across the UK cement and concrete sector; the importance of collaboration across the supply and contractor chain if targets are to be achieved; and shines a spotlight on the latest research projects creating innovative solutions for a greener tomorrow.

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10:25 - 10:30 

Introduction

Susannah Streeter, Host

10:30 - 10:45

UK Concrete and Cement: Advancing the Roadmap to Net Zero and Beyond

Elaine will provide the latest updates on the MPA’s cement and concrete sector decarbonisation roadmap for the UK. She will outline recent industry progress related to the key technological innovations driving the path to net zero and beyond.

Elaine Toogood, Director, Architecture & Sustainable Design, The Concrete Centre

10:45 - 11:05

Launching the UK’s biggest industrial scale ultra-low carbon cement factory with Material Evolution

In October 2024, Material Evolution launched a first-of-its-kind factory that will see the production of 120,000 tonnes of ultra-low carbon cement annually. The company uniquely leverages AI technology to develop ultra-low carbon cement, and launched the factory just over a year after its £15 million Series A fundraise. This talk will explore what the industry can learn from Material Evolution’s journey, and how this feeds into their mission to remove a gigaton of CO2 from the cement and concrete industries by 2040.

Dr Liz Gilligan, CEO, Material Evolution

11:05 - 11:25

The low carbon challenge: adoption, innovation and how to drive change

Cutting carbon from construction is essential to meeting Net Zero ambitions. The challenges of adoption are all too often slowing the pace of innovation and scalability. We showcase the success of working with customers and clients to break through low carbon concrete adoption challenges and demonstrate how collaborative vision at the recent Liverpool One Station upgrade achieved carbon reductions.

Alastair Meyers, General Manager RMX - North, Tarmac and Tony Carney, Managing Director, Huyton Asphalt Civils

11:25 - 11:45

Case Study: Low Clinker Concrete Solutions: Unveil the power of MasterCO2re which simplifies low-clinker concrete production

Concrete production accounts for about 8% of man-made CO2 emissions worldwide, of which up to 90% is due to cement clinker production. Substituting clinker contained in cement and ultimately in concrete with alternative materials such as limestone filler or supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can save considerable amounts of carbon emissions. However, these more sustainable materials do not come without their own challenges and influence the concrete properties: Loss in workability, worsening of rheology, and the reduction of strength. Find out how the intelligent cluster system in the MasterCO2re admixture overcomes performance gaps associated with low-clinker concrete production.

Jordan Smith, Head of Technical & Marketing, Master Builders Solutions

11:45 - 12:00

Case Study: carbon negative facing bricks

Concrete brick production is a growing market in the UK. In Belgium, Rekers GmbH (exhibiting at the UKCS) have manufacured and installed a machine that produces cement free, concrete style facing bricks. These sustainable facing bricks utilise 80% recycled material from steel production. During the curing process of the facing bricks, CO2 is added to create a chemical bond with calcium-containing materials, binding CO2 in this product. With an annual production capacity of 20 million facing bricks and a CO2 absorption capacity of 60 kg per ton, the production facility can capture 2,280 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.

Franz-Josef Papen, International Sales Manager, Rekers GmbH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau

12:00 - 12:20

Practical circular economy applications of recycled and industrial steel fibres in structural concrete

As a secondary material recycled from tyres, Recycled Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (RSF) aims to replace industrial steel fibres (ISF) to improve concrete matrix‘s severability, fracture toughness, and residual tensile stress. Despite the increasing attention on the mechanical properties of this material, RSF concrete’s influence on structural component strength is still neglected due to a lack of sufficient and reliable experimental data. This presentation will highlight new research outcomes that will enhance structural applications with ISF and RSF in construction industry.

Dr Sakdirat Kaewunruen, Reader in Railway and Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham

12:20 - 12:30

Panel discussion

13:00 - 14:00

Graphene in concrete: performance, sustainability, and commerciality

Hosted by The Graphene Council and featuring the latest advancements in graphene-enhanced concrete technology. This cutting-edge session will include presentations from industry leaders Versarien and Concretene, showcasing their commercially developed solutions. Attendees will gain insights into how graphene is revolutionizing the concrete industry, offering improved strength, durability, and significant reductions in CO2 emissions. The Graphene Council will provide context on the broader implications of these innovations for the construction sector and their potential to drive sustainability in concrete production.

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13:00 - 13:05

Introduction

Susannah Streeter, Host

13:05 - 13:20

Decarbonising construction using Graphene

Graphene is a remarkable form of carbon known for its exceptional properties like superior strength, flexibility, and conductivity. In concrete, graphene can bring significant improvements in durability, sustainability, and overall performance. This presentation will look into the commercial aspects of graphene in concrete and how small amounts added to concrete can lead to substantial enhancements. Explore how graphene can transform concrete, making it stronger, more durable, and more environmentally friendly, highlighting its potential to shape the future of sustainable construction.

Dr Chirag Ratwani, Graphene Technical Specialist, The Graphene Council

13:20 - 13:35

Building the future with Graphene

Versarien (AIM:VRS) is an IP-led advanced engineering materials group that utilises proprietary technology to create innovative engineering solutions. Versarien manufactures advanced materials such as graphene and utilises these materials across a number of sectors. This talk will highlight two key product streams in the construction sector - Cementene and 3D construction printing (3DCP).

Dr Stephen Hodge, CEO, Versarien Plc

13:35 - 13:50

Commercial viability of nanomaterials in concrete: supply, scale-up and adoption

Scalability and cost are two of the biggest barriers to entry to the concrete market for novel materials such as graphene. Mike Harrison, CEO of decarbonising admixture company Concretene, explains the issues around supply chain, scale-up and real-world implementation that frame a key question for industry around embodied carbon: with increasingly stringent environmental legislation coming down the track, can you afford not to innovate?

Mike Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Concretene

13:50 - 14:00

Panel discussion

14:00 - 14:25

Digitalisation spotlight

AI Technology optimisation: How to engineer out concrete over performance to deliver CO2 reductions

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Digitalisation of readymix concrete is now a reality with collaboration between the contractor and producer allowing optimisation of mix designs to meet performance criteria whilst reducing the overall carbon value of the concrete. In this session we will discuss the delivery of CEVO Digital, and Tarmac's first trial of MixAI with Getjar Ltd on a Mace project known as Belgrove House in Kings Cross. MixAI is the next step in the digitalisation evolution of concrete. Algorithm intelligence delivers mix designs and compliance data to help contractors and producers make data-driven decisions in the design and use of concrete.

Joe Kirwin, Commercial Manager for the London Southeast RMX, Tarmac

15:00 - 16:20

Repair and maintenance: protecting our built heritage

From concrete scanning, structural applications and injection techniques to waterproofing systems and repair mortars, the management of concrete repair and maintenance is being increasingly driven by sustainability. Whether it's addressing deterioration in infrastructure, industrial flooring, or other assets, expertise in concrete care can help maintain and extend the life of our built environment. 

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15:00 - 15:05

Introduction

Susannah Streeter, Host

15:05 - 15:25

Design of CFRP strengthening for concrete structures with EN 1992-1-1 (2023)

The presentation will outline the design principles of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strengthening for concrete structures based on EN 1992-1-1 (2023). It will cover material properties of the CFRP system, strengthening applications codified in the standard, along with some of the technical basis for the code provisions.

Craig Giaccio, Technical Director, Hewson Consulting

15:25 - 15:45

Repairing for a sustainable future

The presentation aims to explore the intersection of sustainability, carbon management and concrete repair. Highlighting innovative methods, materials and case studies that enhance and show whole life cycle stewardship while maintaining structural integrity of repairs and assets. We will show how both sustainability and concrete repair practices, can contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

Craig Hannam, Market Sector Manager and Andy Hatch, National Concrete Repair Specification Manager, Fosroc

15:45 - 16:05

Enhancing resilience of underground concrete structures using indigenous soil bacteria and supplementary materials

Concrete degradation threatens the durability of underground structures, as cracks allow water and gases to penetrate, compromising steel reinforcement. This research aims to enhance the resilience of underground concrete by leveraging indigenous soil bacteria instead of adding bacteria directly to the mix. High pH levels and reduced pore space in concrete hinder bacterial survival. To address this, supplementary materials were used to reduce pH and promote bacterial activity. This study builds on previous studies at the University of Derby.  It replaces 50% of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) in cracked cement mortar with saturated natural soil, targeting sustainable solutions for concrete degradation. Crack sealing was assessed using microscopy, water absorption tests, and SEM-EDX analysis. Soil sieve analysis and pH measurements were also conducted to evaluate the chemical environment. Findings contribute to innovative, sustainable methods for improving the performance and durability of underground concrete structures.

Abdurahim Abogdera, Associate Lecturer and Full Time Researcher, University of Derby

16:05 - 16:20

Panel discussion