Concrete Perspectives June 2021
1. CONCRETE NEWS
‘Housing construction with precast concrete parts’ – new brochure by Beton.org
The brochure, edited by the InformationsZentrum Beton GmbH together with our German member associations, shows how future-oriented residential buildings and urban architecture can be realized with precast concrete components and explains the advantages of this construction method in detail. In addition to durability, this includes the static-constructive and building-physical properties as well as the diverse design options. In a total of 17 chapters, the authors deal with different ceiling and wall systems and present different concrete facades. Numerous examples of properties – from apartment buildings to energy self-sufficient buildings – clearly show how modern residential buildings have been implemented in a climate-friendly, economical and of high quality with precast concrete elements.
You can download the brochure (in German) here.
Editorial management: Diana Klose (BIV), Gramatiki Satslidis (FBF).
Authors: Alice Becke (FDB), Elisabeth Hierlein (FDB), Diana Klose (FDB), Jens Uwe Pott (FBV), Gramatiki Satslidis (FBF), Stefan Seyffert (BVSF), Mathias Tillmann (FDB), Dietmar Ulonska (SLG), Christina Ulrich (SLG).
‘Why sustainable construction needs concrete?’ – GCCA in International Construction
International Construction has recently published an article by Andrew Minson, Concrete and Sustainable Construction Director at the GCCA, which outlines why sustainable construction needs concrete. Every material has a role to play in the future of sustainable construction. However, fair assessment policies are essential to ensure that the most appropriate materials are picked for each project, taking into account important factors such as the need for whole life sustainability, biodiversity, land-use, carbon emissions, safety and durability.
Read the whole article here
The ‘Natürlich Beton’ information campaign in Austria
Last year, the Association of Austrian Concrete and Precast Plants (VÖB) and its marketing umbrella association Beton Dialog Österreich (BDÖ) launched an information campaign ‘Natürlich Beton’, promoting concrete as the building material for the future climate. The ‘Concrete, of course!’ campaign is still on, focuses on online videos (pre-rolls), social media activities, classic print subjects and radio spots to deliver straight to the point information on concrete, the natural and regional building material that can be climate and environmentally friendly.
You can find more information about the campaign (in German) on the ‘Natürlich Beton’ and Baustoffbeton websites.
Subscribe the following links to stay updated!: Youtube, Facebook.
2. BIBM NEWS
Public consultation and feedback
Energy efficiency – Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
BIBM provided feedback and responded 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.
Commission adoption: Fourth quarter 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
Standardisation strategy
This initiative aims to address the challenges facing the European standardisation system and to improve it.
It is a response to the need to be more assertive and strategic at international level and seeks to better respond to the standardisation needs arising from the green and digital transformation of the EU’s industrial ecosystem.
Feedback deadline: 26 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 28 September, 2021
3. BIBM AGENDA
| JULY | SEPTEMBER |
| 1: CEN/TC 104 Plenary Meeting Confcall | 1: BIBM Wastewater Engineering Group Confcall |
| 2: Industry4Europe Plenary – Exchange with DG GROW on Updated EU Industrial Strategy Confcall | 7: BIBM Board Confcall |
| 14: European Commission Acquis procedure “Precast” Confcall | 9: BIBM Environment Commission Confcall |
| 26: The Concrete Initiative Confcall | 15: BIBM Communication Commission Confcall |
| 27: ECP TF Health, Environment and Hygiene Confcall | |
| 27: ECP HEH WG Microplastics Confcall | |
| 29: CEN/TC 229 HEH WG Microplastics Confcall |
4. WEBINARS / ONLINE EVENTS
| Date | Organiser | Information/Registration |
| 1 July | Construction 2050 Alliance | The European Construction Sector: Opportunities for new talent |
| 5 July | The Concrete Centre | Developments in codes and standards for concrete design |
| 6 July | GCCA | Official Launch Event of Concrete Action for Climate (CAC) |
| 7 July | European Commission | Final stakeholder workshop for the IED impact assessment |
| 8 July | FEICA | Suppliers’ Day |
| 12 July | Euractiv | Recovery and sustainability – how can SMEs achieve both |
| 14 July | The Concrete Centre | Launch of Ground Gases and Structural Waterproofing guidance for Basements |
| 26 July | The Concrete Centre | Introduction to visual concrete |
5. BIBM PARTNERS NEWS
The Concrete Initiative becomes Official Partner of the New European Bauhaus
BIBM is actively engaging in the New European Bauhaus. We have recently become partners of the Bauhaus through the Concrete Initiative, which has published this week its brochure ‘A New European Bauhaus – The Concrete Initiative Manifesto’. The Manifesto is already uploaded on the New European Bauhaus website, putting forward 10 principles to make the EU Green Deal and Bauhaus a reality. We look forward to working together with the construction value chain and citizens living in the built environment to rethink the way we live and connect people through beautiful, green, innovative and inclusive design.
Read our press release here.
Click here to download the publication.
GCCA launches Open Challenge
The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) invites tech start-ups to participate in low-carbon innovation challenge . The Innovandi Open Challenge invites start-ups to pitch solutions to key challenges for the industry that require advanced technology, support and investment, and which will have a significant impact on the climate footprint of cement and concrete.
The challenge areas include: carbon capture technologies; calcination technologies – for heating materials during the concrete manufacturing process; carbon use in the construction supply chain; and improved recycling of concrete.
Learn more here.
CEMBUREAU elects new President and Vice-President
At its annual General Assembly in Brussels, CEMBUREAU elected Isidoro Miranda (MD of LafargeHolcim Spain) as its new president and Ken McKnight (member of the CRH Executive Committee) as its new vice-president, to lead for the next two years. CEMBUREAU also thanked outgoing President and former Vice-President Raoul de Parisot for his leadership and service over the past four years.
Read the press release here.
6. LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
Slovenia takes over EU Presidency
Slovenia’s six-month programme of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union is based on four priorities. Under the slogan ‘Together. Resilient. Europe.’, Slovenia will strive to facilitate the EU’s recovery and reinforce its resilience, reflect on the future of Europe, strengthen the rule of law and European values, and increase security and stability in the European neighbourhood. The EU climate ambitions will provide guidelines for the Slovenian Presidency, which will strive for the transposition of the set objectives into binding European legislation. The COP26 conference in Glasgow will provide an additional opportunity for the EU to show its determination and convince the rest of the world that everyone must take action now.
The full programme of the Slovenian Presidency can be found here.
EC adopts EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027
On 28 June, the Commission has adopted the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027. It sets out the key actions needed to improve workers’ health and safety over the coming years. This new strategy focuses on three cross-cutting objectives, namely managing change brought by green, digital and demographic transitions as well as changes to the traditional work environment, improving prevention of accidents and illnesses, and increasing preparedness for any potential future crises.
Read the press release here.
European Parliament endorsed the Climate Law
On 24 June, the MEPs confirmed deal on climate neutrality by 2050. The Parliament endorsed the Climate Law, agreed informally with member states in April, with 442 votes to 203 and 51 abstentions. It transforms the European Green Deal’s political commitment to EU climate neutrality by 2050 into a binding obligation. It gives European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for this transition. After 2050, the EU will aim for negative emissions.
The new EU Climate Law increases the EU’s target for reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 from 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. Additionally, an upcoming proposal from the Commission on the LULUCF Regulation to regulate GHG emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry, will increase EU carbon sinks and will hence de facto increase the 2030 EU’s target to 57%.
Read the press release here.
7. OUTSTANDING PRECAST CONCRETE PROJECTS
Point block building in Krems, Austria
The Austrian company Alfred Trepka GmbH, together with Prilhofer Consulting, have produced the exposed precast concrete elements for the point block building in Krems, Austria. The residential building fulfills the current requirements of modern, esthetical and energy-efficient construction.
Architect: Thomas Tauber
Precast concrete panels: Trepka (watch their promo video)
Source (picture): https://www.prilhofer.com/advantages-precast/esthetics