Concrete Perspectives May 2021
CONCRETE NEWS
British Precast publishes New Sustainability Report
British Precast has published the 2020 edition of ‘Sustainability Matters’, the sector’s sustainability performance report. The publication shows significant progress across most key performance indicator targets, including carbon.
Data reveal that precast factory operations are becoming greener and significantly more efficient. Precast factories are generating less waste, using less energy and emitting significantly less carbon compared to 2012. Since 2012, factory waste has dropped by more than 50%. The precast sector’s sustainability report also reveals a significant rise in the use of renewable energy. 10% of all energy used in concrete block production was from renewable sources.
Read the full raport here.
FEBE Elements Awards 2021 – entry deadline
The Belgian Precast Concrete Federation (FEBE) awards each year the FEBE Elements Awards for the most prestigious precast concrete projects of the past year from Belgium. Entries for FEBE Elements Awards 2021 projects continue until June 30, 2021. Do you want to win one of the 5 awards? Check the FEBE awards website and sign up here.
The 9th edition of the FEBE Elements Awards will take place on Thursday, 25 November 2021, in Brussels.
Check out the previous outstanding winners here.
DigiPLACE Closing Conference
On 27 May, the Horizon 2020 project DigiPLACE held its closing conference, entitled ‘The future building blocks: How digital platforms will help deliver the EU Green Deal goals’. DigiPLACE, thanks to the efforts of an EU-wide consortium composed of 19 partners from 11 countries, succeeded in establishing a Reference Architecture Framework (RAF) for digital construction platforms and in developing a strategic roadmap to implement this RAF, with the ambition to connect EU, national and regional scales to upscale digital platforms and solutions.
DigiPLACE is a framework allowing the development of future digital platforms as common ecosystems of digital services that will support innovation, commerce, etc. Find out more here.
BIBM NEWS
Public consultation and feedback
Sustainable Products Initiative
BIBM responded to the public consultation on Sustainable Products Initiative, which will revise the Ecodesign Directive and propose additional legislative measures as appropriate, aims to make products placed on the EU market more sustainable. The initiative will also address the presence of harmful chemicals in products such as: electronics & ICT equipment, textiles, furniture, steel, cement & chemicals.
Commission adoption: Fourth quarter 2021
Energy efficiency – Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
BIBM provided feedback and will respond to the public consultation on the EC’s revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
In 2020, the Commission presented its ‘Renovation Wave’ strategy to boost energy renovation of buildings in the EU. This strategy contains an action plan with: (i) regulatory, financing and enabling measures; and (ii) the goal of at least doubling the annual energy renovation rate of buildings by 2030.
This goal requires a revision of the relevant EU legal act, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The revision will focus on provisions that are central to boosting building renovation.
Public consultation deadline: 22 June 2021
Water pollution – EU rules on urban wastewater treatment (update)
Making sure that urban wastewater is clean and safe is vital for protecting public health and the environment. This key part of EU water policy is covered by the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD).
This initiative will revise the Directive after a recent evaluation of it identified certain shortcomings and new societal needs that must be addressed.
Public consultation deadline: 21 July 2021
BIBM Congress 2021, 14 – 16 November
Registrations for both, stands and tickets, can be made as usual. We are already looking forward to welcoming you in Copenhagen at the end of 2021 and to enjoy networking and future driven lessons!
We confide in your help to raise awareness within your clients and stakeholders, through organising ‘national’ visits, providing possible exhibitors and sharing the available promotional materials.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES/UPDATES:
- BIBM Congress is rescheduled to November 14 – 16, 2021
- Congress Delegate online registration and price list here
- Registration exhibitors here
- Download the program here
- The BIBM Congress 2021’ official slogan: ‘The Future of European Construction – Precast Excellence in Nordic Countries’
- LinkedIn and Twitter BIBM Congress hashtag: #BIBMCongress2021 (please follow the hashtag to keep up with related images and posts)
- Learn more about the Speakers and Exhibitors on the Building Congress Forum LinkedIn page here
- Follow the youtube channel #TalkConcrete here
- Abstract submission: the Speakers are invited to send 1 to 2 pages summary of their presentation to Ms. Magdalena Herbik (mh@bibm.eu) until 21 August, 2021
BIBM AGENDA
| JUNE | JULY |
| 1: BIBM General Assembly Confcall | 1: CEN/TC 104 Plenary Meeting Confcall |
| 4: The Concrete Initiative Confcall | 1: CEN and CENELEC Meeting Brussels |
| 7: BIBM Technical Commission Confcall | |
| 16: CEN/TC 350 WG 3 – Product level Confcall | |
| 17: GCCA Partnership Council Confcall | |
| 18: CPE General Assembly Confcall | |
| 22: ECP Board and General Assembly Confcall | |
| 24: BIBM Communication Commission Confcall | |
| 25: The Concrete Initiative Confcall | |
| 29: CEN/TC 229 WG 1 – Structural products Confcall | |
| 30: CEN/TC 104 SC 1 – Specification, performance, production and conformity Confcall |
WEBINARS / ONLINE EVENTS
| Date | Organiser | Information |
| 9 June | Concrete Futures | Concrete Innovation for Renewable Energy – online lecture Registration |
| 14 June | The Concrete Centre | The Built-in Benefits of Masonry Homes Registration |
| 16 June | EDA | How to unleash the potential of construction and demolition waste as a resource? Registration |
| 17 June | ECOS | Making sustainable products the norm Registration |
| 18 June | CPE | Construction 4.0: robotics, renovation & products Registration |
| 23 June | FEICA | The Upcoming Registration of Polymers under REACH Registration |
| 24 June | The Concrete Centre | Designing lower carbon concrete structures Registration |
| 25 June | SLICEI EP_Intergroup | Technology and innovation shaping Europe’s competitiveness Registration |
| 28 June | FSEU | Fire Safety Community’s Info Session Registration |
| 29-30 July | DG EMPL and DG GROW | Skills4Industry High Level Conference: Upskilling and Reskilling in the Post-Covid era Registration |
| 1 July | Construction 2050 Alliance | The European Construction Sector: Opportunities for new talent Registration |
| 5 July | The Concrete Centre | Developments in codes and standards for concrete design Registration |
BIBM PARTNERS NEWS
GCCA ‘Facts and Fairness’ Campaign
The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has recently launched an important digitalcampaign to communicate the positive benefits of concrete called Facts and Fairness. The main focus is to highlight concrete’s numerous superior performance and sustainability attributes (check Sustainability Benefits of Concrete).
Additionally, GCCA has assembled a range of evidence that can be used when engaging with LCA professionals or policymakers to highlight some of the misconceptions and falacies around the use of timber, such as its impact on biodiversity or deficits in carbon accounting. Whist GCCA recognises there is a role for responsibly sourced timber, they are calling for fair assessment from those in the built environment responsible for making building material choices.
Joint press release on the updated EU Industrial Strategy
On 5th of May, the European Commission updated the EU Industrial Strategy, which puts a renewed focus on the key ecosystems, including construction. The Concrete Initiative, together with the Construction 2050 Alliance, welcome the priority given to the construction ecosystem as one of the sectors that faces important challenges in meeting climate and sustainability goals and in embracing the digital transformation. They specifically approve Strategy’s plan of transition pathways for key ecosystems such as construction, co-created together by the industry, Member States and the European Commission.
Read the press release here.
Construction 2050 Alliance Webinar – save the date
Join the Construction 2050 Alliance on 1 July, 2021, to discuss about the opportunities for new talent in the construction sector.
More information will be available soon on the C2050 website.
Register here.
The Construction 2050 Alliance is an EU partnership advancing the needs and priorities of the wider construction and built environment sectors.
LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
EC adopted the EU ‘Zero Pollution’ Action Plan
The ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’ Action Plan sets out an integrated vision for 2050, where pollution is no longer harmful to human health and natural ecosystems, as well as the steps to get there. The plan ties together all relevant EU policies to tackle and prevent pollution, with a special emphasis on how to use digital solutions to tackle pollution. Reviews of relevant EU legislation are foreseen to identify remaining gaps in EU legislation and where better implementation is necessary to meet these legal obligation. It goes hand in hand with the EU’s goals for climate neutrality, health, biodiversity and resource efficiency and builds on initiatives in the field of energy, industry, mobility, food, circular economy, and agriculture.
Read the press release here.
EC updates the 2020 New Industrial Strategy
The European Commission released an updated version of the New Industrial Strategy to address the vulnerabilities and dependencies of the Single Market laid bare by Covid-19. Building on the flexible ecosystem-based approach outlined last year, the Commission now offers a tailored assessment of the needs of each industrial ecosystem and how all market players can best work together. The Commission put construction among the priority ecosystems when it comes to making the green and digital transitions a reality.
The updated strategy focuses on: strengthening Single Market resilience, dealing with the EU’s strategic dependencies and accelerating the twin transitions.
Read the press release here.
New European Bauhaus – co-design phase coming to an end
The co-design phase of the New European Bauhaus initiative has been launched this January to mobilise designers, engineers, architects, scientists, policymakers, educators, students, and creative minds across disciplines to reimagine sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful places and experiences. People from more than 35 countries worldwide have sent in more than 1 500 contributions already.
The outcome of the co-design efforts will feed into the next phase of the initiative. In September, an official Commission Communication will be presented to lay out the main elements and next steps of the New European Bauhaus. At the same time, EU Bauhaus will publish the first calls for funding.
If you want to help shape our future ways of living, do not hesitate to share your inspiring example or innovative idea by the end of June.
Contribute until the end of June.
OUTSTANDING PRECAST CONCRETE PROJECTS
De Zalmhaven, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
© Fred Smulders (Studio De Hoge heren)
De Zalmhaven is a project that includes a 215m residential tower in Rotterdam.
The tower, entirely constructed from prefab elements, will have no fewer than 452 apartments and penthouses, 33 mansions, a parking garage, offices, commercial spaces, a roof garden and a restaurant with a view of the impressive Rotterdam skyline.
The tower and a second office building will be designed by Dam & Partner architects, with Claus en Kaan Architecten designing a residential unit. After completion it will be one of the tallest residential towers in Europe and the tallest building in the Netherlands.
Construction started on 25 October 2018 and completion is set for 2022.
More information on: www.byldis.com and on the BIBM website.