Concrete Perspectives December 2020
CONCRETE NEWS
65. BetonTage goes online
From 23 to 26 February 2021 the 65. BetonTage, one of the most important meeting place for the precast and concrete products industry, will take place online for the first time.
The technical program of the 65th BetonTage will beheld under the motto “Intelligent building – megatrends in concrete” and comprises more than 100 contributions. Lectures on new concretes, innovative additions to concrete and production methods will show possibilities for sustainable building.
The BetonTage will be accompanied by more than 100 exhibitors (the suppliers, engineerings and software industry). The companies will present their products and services for the first time on their virtual stand and, from there, interact with the visitors.
Find out more here.
(Source: FBF Betondienst GmbH)
2nd CiBEn – new date
The 2nd interational conference on Circularity in the Built Environment (CiBEn) will be held on November 24-26, 2021 in the Netherlands at TU Delft’s Aula Conference Centre.
CiBEn aims at becoming a major point of contact between researchers, engineers and practitioners in the area of green and sustainable construction. Eight main topics embracing all different aspects related to the theme of circularity in the built and environment, and sustainable construction materials will be dealt with. Among them, CDW Recycling Technologies, Sustainable Construction Materials, Circular Design & Management, Social Circular Economy, Standard Policy and Legislation, to mention a few.
Abstract submission is extended to June 20, 2021.
More information can be found here.
Read our Press Release here.
BIBM NEWS
Public consultation and feedback
Environmental performance of products & businesses – substantiating claims
BIBM provided feedback and responded to public consultation 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.
EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water and soil
BIBM provided feedback and will respond to public consultation on the EC’s Communication: EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water and soil.
To secure clean air, water and soil, healthy ecosystems and a healthy living environment for Europeans, the EU needs to better prevent, remedy, monitor and report on pollution, mainstream the zero pollution ambition into all its policy developments and decouple economic growth from the increase of pollution, in line with United Nations driven efforts.
Public consultation deadline: 10 February 2021
EU energy efficiency directive (EED) – evaluation and review
BIBM will provide answer to the public consultation on the European Commission’s review of the Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency.
Under the European Green Deal, the Commission has committed to stronger action on climate change. It aims to assess how the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions could responsibly be reduced by at least 50% to 55% by 2030.
As the efficient use of energy is key to achieving such a target, the review aims to provide insights into how the EED could be revised to:
- achieve a higher level of greenhouse gas reduction by 2030
- contribute to other European Green Deal initiatives.
Public consultation deadline: 9 February 2021
BIBM Congress postponed to November 14 – 16, 2021
Due to the recent COVID-19 developments and in order to protect the health of our participants, exhibitors and speakers, BIBM, host of this years congress, and BCF, the organizer, have decided to re-schedule the event to November 14 – 16, 2021.
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
• Download the final 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
• Abstract submission: the Speakers are invited to send 1 to 2 pages summary of their presentation to mh@bibm.eu
• The final VEEP webinar will be hosted by the European Portal for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EU Build Up) on 9 March 2021.
New BIBM President
The BIBM General Assembly – held online on 16 November – elected the new President, Bart van Melick (BTE Holding B.V., the Netherlands) for the period 2020 – 2023. BIBM would like to thank our outgoing President, Claus Bering (CRH Concrete, Denmark), for his three years of dedicated service and welcome on board our new President.
Read our Press Release here.
BIBM AGENDA
| JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH |
| 5: CEN/TC 229/WG 1 HAS consultant assessment Confcall | 8: BIBM Communication Commission Confcall | 2: BIBM Technical Commission Confcall |
| 11: BIBM Environment Commission Confcall | 18: ECP ECP TF HEH WG Microplastics Confcall | 25: CEN/TC 229 WG4 – Horizontal items Confcall |
| 19: BIBM Board Confcall | 18: ECP TF Health, Environment and Hygiene Confcall | |
| 21: SeRaMCo Seramco Advisory Board Meeting Confcall | 25: BIBM Wastewater Engineering group Confcall | |
| 26: ECP TF Sustainable Concrete Confcall | 25: ECP Task force fire & eurocodes Confcall | |
| 28: CEN/TC 350 SC1 Circular economy Confcall | ||
| 27: European Masonry Alliance Confcall | ||
| 28: CEN/TC 350 WG3 Products Confcall |
WEBINARS / ONLINE EVENTS
| DATA | ORGANIZER | INFORMATION |
| 4 January | The Concrete Centre | Design and Detailing to Eurocode 2 Registration |
| 13-15 January | BuildUp | BAU 2021 – Forum Future of Building Registration |
| 18 January | The Concrete Centre | Concrete Naturally Registration |
| 20 January | SeRaMCo | Precast Concrete in the Circular Economy – Final Conference Registration |
| 26 January | BuildUp | So you think you’re green? Focus on Housing Registration |
| 28 January | Euractiv | Carbon-neutrality: How can the EU and China co-operate to lead global climate change efforts? Registration |
| 22-26 February | European Commission | EU Industry Days Local events |
| 23-26 February | FBF Betondienst GmbH | BetonTage 2021 Registration |
| 17 March | The Concrete Initiative | Concrete Dialogue 2021 |
BIBM PARTNERS NEWS
Final Conference of SeRaMCo
The focus of the final SeRaMCo web conference “Precast Concrete in the Circular Economy” (20 January, 2021) will be on the results of the project’s 3-year top-notch research, together with the latest information regarding building with concrete made from recycled aggregates and sands. To this end, participants will be introduced to innovative concrete precast products. Furthermore, external high-level speakers and experts in the field from research, business and policy-making have been confirmed who will be giving interesting insights into the topic.
NEPSI Council meeting
This year’s NEPSI Council Meeting was held on 10 December by Videoconference. During the meeting, the NEPSI activities of the last 2 years has been presented, along with the update of the Good Practice Guide, guidance documents for SMEs, training tools for new workers, NEPSI RCS measurement protocol and new IT reporting system.
The second part of the webinar was focused on the sectoral reports on the application of the agreement (2020). Despite the COVID situation and possible technical issues with the new reporting software, the participation in the reporting is very optimistic. NEPSI 2020 report will be finalised and sent to Commission and Member States with an Executive Summary. The national reports will be circulated to all Signatories in early January 2021.
Construction 2050 – first public event
On Tuesday, 2nd December, the Construction 2050 Alliance brought together experts from all over Europe, including representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament and national governments. They discussed the important role that the construction sector may play as the European economy recovers slowly from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alliance’s key message is that the built environment must be a key priority in all national Recovery plans and in the new EU funding initiatives.
LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
Launch event of the European Climate Pact
The European Climate Pact launch event took place online on 10 December. The event was focused on climate talks by special guests focusing on concrete climate actions in our everyday life. The first European Climate Pact Ambassadors have been introduced following the discussion on upcoming Climate Pact pledges. Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the European Green Deal, discussed about environmental standards, including air quality, water management, resilience, harmful substances and fire resistance.
For more information, please visit the Pact website.
A New Industrial Strategy for Europe adopted by the Parliament
The European Parliament recently adopted ‘A New Industrial Strategy for Europe’ with 486 votes in favour, 109 against, and 102 abstentions. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) call for a shift in the EU’s approach to industrial policy, to help businesses cope with the ongoing health crisis and face the digital and environmental transition.
As announced in the New Industrial Strategy, the Commission will establish next month a new ‘Industrial Forum’. The Forum will support the EC in its systematic analysis of industrial ecosystems and in assessing the risks and needs of industry as it embarks on the digital and green transition, and the strengthening of its resilience. It will be composed of up to 55 Members, including Member States as well as other industrial stakeholders. The deadline to apply is set on 4 January 2021.
German Presidency conference on construction
At a major conference on the future of the Construction Products Regulation last week (CPR 305/2011), hosted by the German Presidency, it has been reminded that the CE marking of construction products does not have the same meaning as CE marking of other products in the EU. Speaking during a panel session, Mr Meyer from FIEC explained why the Regulation is not working for contractors and why none of the future options for the CPR proposed by the European Commission will solve the problems experienced by the industry. Construction Products Europe, Small Business Standards and European Builders Confederation will propose joint solutions for the revision of the Regulation. They have recently published a joint discussion document, which was also shared with the EP Rapporteur for this file, Christian Doleschal MEP.
(Source: FIEC)
OUTSTANDING PRECAST CONCRETE PROJECTS
‘Capa Verde’ Project, Vienna
This year’s ‘Concrete Student Trophy 2020’ competition was focused on designing a green skyscraper (80m high) in the main urban developing area of Vienna. The award was given to TU Graz students: Christian Brügel, Thomas Heinrich and Julia Obe. Their building model named ‘Capa Verde’ blends in terms of urban planning, is convincing as an attractive residential tower and looks “captivatingly simple, natural and expressive”.
The ‘Concrete Student Trophy 2020’ competition is supported by the Association of Austrian Concrete and Precast Plants (VÖB), the Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (GVTB) and the Association of the Austrian Cement Industry (VÖZ) under the expert guidance of Austrian universities.