Concrete Perspectives July – August 2020


CONCRETE NEWS


GCCA Climate Ambition – towards carbon neutral concrete

©  GCCA

 Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has recently launched its Climate Ambition Statement on behalf of its 40 member companies, with the central aim of delivering society with carbon neutral concrete by 2050. The ambition statement represents a critical milestone for the industry. It is the first time it has come together globally to state a collective ambition for a carbon neutral future.

The GCCA 2050 climate ambition outlines how in the coming years the industry can achieve carbon neutral concrete by:

•    eliminating direct energy-related emissions and maximising the co-processing of waste from other industries;

•    reducing and eliminating indirect energy emissions through renewable electricity sources;

•    reducing process emissions through new technologies and deployment of carbon capture at scale;

•    reducing the content of both clinker in cement and cement in concrete, as well as more efficient use of concrete in buildings and infrastructure;

•    reprocessing concrete from construction and demolition waste to produce recycled aggregates to be used in concrete manufacturing;

•    quantifying and enhancing the level of CO2 uptake of concrete through recarbonation and enhanced recarbonation in a circular economy, whole life context.

You can find the Climate Ambition Statement here.


VÖB launches a new promotional campaign

©  BMÖ

The Association of Austrian Concrete and Precast Plants (VÖB) and its marketing umbrella association BMÖ has recently launched an information campaign: “Natürlich Beton – der Baustoff für unsere Klimazukunft”, promoting concrete as the building material for the future climate. As Gernot Brandweiner, Managing Director of the VÖB and Chairman of the Board of BMÖ, said: “We provide comprehensive information in print and online media, on radio and television, but also in various social media channels about the numerous advantages of concrete as a natural and regional building material that enables climate- and environmentally friendly building.”

The campaign is addresed to property developers and planners, the construction industry and administration and to everyone interested in the topic. The call to “think about it” (“denk mal nach”) accompanies all subject areas ranging from soil protection to the unique ability of the building material to store energy.

The BMÖ sees the campaign as a prelude to further information activities. As the BMÖ board member Christoph Ressler said: “Our goal is more clarity – because concrete can be much more than just a building material.” The main objective is to anchor the importance of concrete as a building material for environmentally and climate-friendly construction as well as the progress made by the industry in CO2 reduction in society as a whole.

You can find more information about the campaign (in German) on the „Natürlich Beton“ and Baustoffbeton websites.

Subscribe the following links to be updated!: Youtube, Facebook


British Precast publishes Sustainable Water Policy

©  British Precast

The policy describes the main elements of a precast sector sustainable water policy and offers guidelines to member companies on how to achieve these objectives. It proposes a Water Policy in line with the MPA Water Sustainability Strategy, published in 2017. This document also offers an assessment of measurement and monitoring of water consumption and water handling across different operations within precast factories. The scope of this document extends beyond the factory gate and suggests areas of guidance and demonstration of good practice in terms of sustainable water management.

This policy aims to introduce a sustainable water management and stewardship regime which enables the:

  • Minimisation of water consumption;
  • Prioritisation of use of the most sustainable water resources;
  • Protection of the environment and water quality throughout the different service life stages of a precast concrete product.

The British Precast policy focusses on monitoring, minimising and prioritising the use of different water sources and Protection of the environment through good water stewardship.

A copy of the policy can be downloaded here.


BIBM NEWS


Public consultation and feedback

Adapting to climate change – EU strategy

BIBM responded to the public consultation on the European Commission Communication – “Adapting to climate change – EU strategy”. Despite measures to mitigate its effects, climate change is already having serious consequences in Europe and worldwide. Therefore, as part of its Green Deal, the Commission is launching a new strategy to help the EU adapt to the effects. It will focus on: encouraging investment in eco-friendly solutions; climate-proofing the economy; making key infrastructure more resilient; adding climate factors to risk management practice; stepping up prevention & preparedness.

Construction products – review of EU rules

BIBM provided feedback on the review of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). The CPR lays down EU-wide rules for marketing construction products. This initiative will review these rules. It includes: addressing the issues identified in the 2019 evaluation; improving how the single market for construction products functions. The aim is to unlock the sector’s growth and jobs potential, promote environmental goals as part of the Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, and possibly promote product safety.

Environmental performance of products & businesses – substantiating claims

BIBM provided feedback to the European Commission’s initiative: Environmental performance of products & businesses – substantiating claims. This initiative will require companies to substantiate claims they make about the environmental footprint of their products/services by using standard methods for quantifying them. The aim is to make the claims reliable, comparable and verifiable across the EU – reducing ‘greenwashing’ (companies giving a false impression of their environmental impact). This should help commercial buyers and investors make more sustainable decisions and increase consumer confidence in green labels and information.

Water pollution – EU rules on urban wastewater treatment (update)

BIBM provided feedback to the European Commission’s initiative: 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.


BIBM Congress – November 15 – 17, 2020

You can find more information on the 2020 BIBM Congress here.

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 this year 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 material.

REGISTRATION DEADLINES/UPDATES: 

  • BIBM Congress is rescheduled to November 15-17, 2020
  • Congress Delegate online registration and price list here
  • Download the final program here
  • The BIBM Congress 2020’ official slogan: “The Future of European Construction – Precast Excellence in Nordic Countries”  
  • LinkedIn and Twitter BIBM Congress hashtag: #BIBMCongress2020 (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
  • Abstract submission: the Speakers are invited to send 1 to 2 pages summary of their presentation to Ms Magdalena Herbik (mh@bibm.eu)
  • VEEP Final Conference at BIBM Congress (BIBM delegates can choose the option of Workshop in the registration process; the fee for non-delegates is 120 €). Register and find the final agenda here. (Program->VEEP Workshop)

BIBM AGENDA


SEPTEMBEROCTOBERNOVEMBER
7: EU GROW
CPR Stakeholder Conference
Confcall
1: BIBM
Communication Commission
Confcall
10: CEN/TC 229
WG5 Product category rules
Brussels (tbc)

10: NEPSI
TC Meeting
Brussels
6-7: GCCA
Annual meeting
Confcall
15-17: BIBM
BIBM Congress 2020
Copenhagen
11: The Concrete Initiative
Confcall
13: BIBM
Environment Commission
Confcall
18: VEEP
Workshop
Copenhagen
11: BIBM
AhG Eurocode 2
Confcall
16: BIBM
Wastewater Engineering group
Confcall
14: CEN/TC 229
Plenary meeting
Confcall
19: ECP
TF Health, Environment and Hygiene
Confcall
22: CEN/TC 350
WG 3 Sustainability of products
Confcall
23: CEN/TC 229
AhG Performance durability
Confcall
24: VEEP
GA
Confcall
28: BIBM
Board
Confcall
30: BIBM
Joint meeting with EGGA
Confcall

WEBINARS / ONLINE EVENTS – NEW


DATEORGANIZERINFORMATION
15 September DigiPLACEAre architects ready for the digitalisation? DigiPLACE – Building up a digital framework for the AEC sector
Registration
16 SeptemberCENEmpowering European Standardization for a Successful Green Deal
Registration
29 SeptemberECOS
Circularity in Construction
Registration
30 SeptemberEuropean ParliamentOfficial launch event of the Intergroup: “Competitive European Industry: long term and sustainable investment”
13 OctoberCEMBUREAU
Cementing Europe’s future – Building the green Deal
Registration

BIBM PARTNERS NEWS


SeRaMCo nominated as a finalist for the REGIOSTARS Awards 2020

©  SeRaMCo

The SeRaMCo project has been nominated as a REGIOSTARS Awards finalist, a yearly competition organised by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy. It aims at identifying good practices in regional development and highlighting innovative, EU-funded projects, which could be attractive and inspiring to other regions and project managers.

There are five REGIOSTARS Award categories for 2020. SeRaMCo is a nominee in the Sustainable growth: Circular economy for a green Europe category. You are welcome to cast your vote on: https://regiostarsawards.eu/ (deadline:  15 September).


CEMBUREAU Summit 2020, 13 October

©  CEMBUREAU

CEMBUREAU, the European Cement Association, would like to invite you for its upcoming 2020 summit – Cementing Europe’s Future: Building the Green Deal – on 13 October through Zoom webinar.

The event will focus on the CEMBUREAU’s 2050 Carbon Neutrality Roadmap and how cement and concrete, together with the construction industry, will help build the European Green Deal. The first session is entitled: “The Road to 2050: Decarbonising Our Industry” and will focus on the cement industry’s contribution to CO2 emission reduction in the manufacturing of clinker and cement. The second session: “A Sustainable Built Environment – A Green Deal for Construction” will discuss policy initiatives to create a sustainable built environment in Europe, as well as the contribution from the cement and concrete industry. It will look at upcoming legislation under the Green Deal with a specific link to existing and planned policy initiatives such as the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Building Level(s) Initiative, the implementation of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, the Construction Products Regulation and the upcoming Renovation Wave for Europe.

Among others, speakers will include:

Raoul de Parisot, CEMBUREAU President;

Jochen Flasbarth, German State Secretary at the Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety;

Arthur Runge-Metzger, Director Climate Strategy, Governance and Emissions, European Commission, DG Climate Action;

Kestutis Sadauskas, Director Circular Economy and Green Growth, European Commission, DG Environment;

Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP and Maria Spyraki MEP;

Jon Morrish, CEO Western and Southern Europe, HeidelbergCement;

Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability Officer, LafargeHolcim.

In order to join, please register here.


EFCA presidency in ECP

©  EFCA

Norbert Schroeter has been appointed as new ECP president, succeeding the outgoing President, Stein Tosterud and representing EFCA, the European Federation of Concrete Admixtures Associations. Mr Schroeter expressed his thanks to Mr Tosterud for spending a lot of efforts to make European Concrete Platform has become particularly effective during his presidency.

During his mandate the new President intends to follow and further develop the roadmap set out by his predecessors, with the fundamental objective to promote concrete as the material of choice providing building solutions and the attention  to the role of the concrete admixtures for sustainable development and sustainable constructions.

In his inauguration speech, Norbert Schroeter stated that: “We have to be ensured that the sector is efficiently represented in a transparent manner at the European level. We must strongly affirm the ECP position, to be part of important issues as for instance the CPR revision and to drop on the economic aftermath of the corona crisis and the respond to the Green Deal.”

(Source: EFCA)


LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION


EU leaders agree on €1.82 trillion budget and COVID-19 recovery package

©  European Commission

EU leaders met in Brussels (17-21 July) for a special summit to seek deal on budget and recovery fund. As a result, they have agreed to a comprehensive package of €1824.3 billion which combines the multiannual financial framework (MFF 2021-2027) and an extraordinary recovery effort under the Next Generation EU (NGEU) instrument.

The size of the MFF – €1074.3 billion – will fulfill the long-term objectives and preserve the full capacity of the recovery plan. The spending areas include, among others, single market, innovation and digital, natural resources and the environment.

To fund the €750bn recovery plan, the Commission will borrow on financial markets on an unprecedented scale. The amounts available under NGEU will be allocated to seven individual programmes:

Recovery and Resilience Facility: €672.5 billion (loans: €360 billion, grants: €312.5 billion)

ReactEU: €47.5 billion

Horizon Europe: € 5 billion

InvestEU: €5.6 billion

Rural Development: €7.5 billion

Just Transition Fund (JTF): €10 billion

RescEU: €1.9 billion

30% of the total expenditure from the MFF and NGEU will target climate-related projects. Expenses will comply with the EU’s objective of climate neutrality by 2050, the EU’s 2030 climate targets and the Paris Agreement.

The European Parliament will have a final say on the MFF and recovery package before it can enter into force. Negotiations are now ongoing with trilateral talks between Parliament, Commission and Council.


EU trade chief resigns over breaching COVID-19 restrictions

©  European Commission

Phil Hogan, EU trade commissioner, has stepped down from his role over the so called “Golfgate scandal”. Reports emerged that Mr Hogan had travelled across Ireland without respecting COVID-19 restrictions, attending a golf society dinner of 80 people on August 19. The move sparked public outrage and, in result, he was asked to resign by Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Mairead McGuinness (current MEP and the European Parliament’s first vice-president) is now announced to be Ireland’s new EU Commissioner. However, she will be given the financial services portfolio (DG FISMA). The trade portfolio (DG TRADE) will be assumed by Latvia’s Valdis Dombrovskis, a former prime minister, commissioner since 2014 and the EC executive vice-president for “an economy that works for people”. Ms McGuinness will now be subject to scrutiny and a hearing in the European Parliament.

Phil Hogan’s resignation may bring uncertainty to the EU ongoing negotiations. As a trade commissioner, he has been deeply involved in Brexit talks and oversaw talks with the bloc’s trading partners, including the ongoing investment treaty negotiation with China.


EU unveils hydrogen strategy

©  European Commission

 European Commission has recently adopted its Hydrogen Strategy, laying out a roadmap to make the EU a  global leader in the hydrogen economy. The initiative aims to foster the energy transition through supporting investment in clean hydrogen, with the ambition of achieving climate-neutrality by 2050. The Commission aims to grow the share of hydrogen in the EU’s energy mix from the current 2% to 13-14% by 2050.

The EU strategy for energy system integration has been unveiled as well on the same day (July 8), paving the way towards a more efficient and interconnected energy sector, driven by the twin goals of a cleaner planet and a stronger economy.

The two strategies present a new clean energy investment agenda, in line with the Commission’s Next Generation EU recovery package and the EU Green Deal. The planned investments have the potential to stimulate the economic recovery from the pandemic crisis.

A renewables-based EU Hydrogen Strategy will accelerate the development of a pan-European hydrogen system, which, together with vastly more renewables, energy efficiency and circular economy measures will decarbonise the EU. The EC acknowledges the potential of low-carbon hydrogen (e.g. Carbon Capture Storage) as a facilitator to scale up production and stimulate the market demand for hydrogen.

The EC has made hydrogen a central part of plans to decarbonise industry, launching a “Clean Hydrogen Alliance”  in a bid to build a full supply chain in Europe.

You can find the EC Hydrogen Communication here.


OUTSTANDING PRECAST CONCRETE PROJECTS


Blue Tower, Brussels, Belgium

© Marc Detiffe

Blue Tower entrance is an iconic landmark on the famous Avenue Louise in Brussels.  A complex 3D matrix composed out of 29 masterpieces in architectural  precast concrete. The new façade of the entrance hall of the Blue Tower in Brussels is made up of a precast polished white concrete structural mesh. An impressive achievement that gives the building an exceptional appearance.

Entrepreneur: Wocon

Architect: LD2 Architecture

Client: Befimmo

Design office: Bureau d’études Greisch

Precast elements: Loveld