Concrete Perspectives September – October 2022
1. CONCRETE NEWS
100th Anniversary of BFBN
BFBN, the Dutch Precast Concrete Manufacturers
Association, has recently celebrated its 100 years
anniversary together with its members. To celebrate this
impressive anniversary, BFBN organised an ‘open air’
festivity in Woerden, Holland, on 15 September. The
event was introduced by an opening speech from
BFBN/BIBM President Bart van Melick, who welcomed
the guests and highlighted the importance of the latest
innovations and numerous opportunities for
development and growth in the precast concrete sector.
The employers’ association BFBN represents the
interests of more than 100 employers in the concrete
products industry. The BFBN assists members on a daily
basis with questions about legislation, collective labor
agreement matters, pensions, employment law, sales conditions, training, raw materials and environmental policy.
CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition 2022
CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition (Nov. 10-11, 2022, Lisbon) is welcoming the Federation of the European Precast Concrete Industry (BIBM) as a strategic partner (read the press release here). The Federation’s members can now attend CarbonZero: Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials Global Conference and Exhibition 2022 with significant discounts. The event held on November 10 and 11 at the luxurious Pestana Palace Hotel & National Monument Lisbon is a one of a kind forum that will showcase the best climate-friendly solutions for the cement and construction industry. Meet top executives at the upcoming CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition: Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials. As a BIBM Member, you can register as a delegate with an extra discount of 10%. Claim your discount at carbonzero@industrylink.eu mentioning the code BIBM10. The ticket also includes accommodation and spouse program. Programme and other details are available here: www.industrylink.eu. Others can register at www.industrylink.eu or contact carbonzero@industrylink.eu.
Bauma 2022 Munich
The 33rd Edition of Bauma, the world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment, took place in München, Germany, on October 24–30, 2022, at Trade Fair Center Messe.
Digitalization and sustainability – these will be the driving forces of the construction industry in the future. They are also reflected in the key topics that have been defined for Bauma 2022. Find our more and visit: https://bauma.de.
2. BIBM NEWS
BIBM Congress 2023 in Amsterdam – one year to go!
The 24th BIBM Congress will take place in Amsterdam! From the 27th to the 29th of September 2023 the congress will be held in the Dutch capital – the “Venice of the North”. The congress will be under the slogan: ‘Green | Digital | Resilient | Precast Concrete Solutions’. Be part of the next BIBM Congress 2023 as exhibitor, congress participant or sponsor and meet potential partners and speakers from Europe and beyond!
DATE: 27 to 29 September 2023
VENUE: 5-Star Okura Hotel, Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
WEBSITE: https://bibmcongress.eu
HOST: BIBM – Federation of the European Precast Concrete Industry
ORGANISER: BCF – Building Congress Forum
Official hashtag: #BIBMCongress2023
Registration for Conference Delegates will be possible from 2023. If you want to be a part of the exhibition, click here.
If you would like to be a speaker at this event, please contact Ms. Magdalena Herbik mh@bibm.eu.
Public consultations and feedbacks
Study on Measuring the Application of Circular Approaches in the Construction Industry Ecosystem
In order to fully reap the benefits of circular economy, we need a good view of the application of different circular economy approaches by different stakeholders across the value chain. To address this challenge, Deloitte will work on a study on measuring the application of circular approaches in the construction industry ecosystem for the European Commission. The study, which will last 12 months, aims at analysing how and to what extent different actors in the construction industry ecosystem are considering and applying circular approaches, and what drives or hinders them to do so.
BIBM answer to the survey on application of circular approaches in the construction industry ecosystem can be found here.
EU forests – new EU Framework for Forest Monitoring and Strategic Plans
The aim of this initiative is to develop an EU-wide forest observation framework to provide open access to detailed, accurate, regular and timely information on the condition and management of EU forests, and on the many products and ecosystem services that forests provide.
This information will lead to more data-driven decision-making on forests. It is expected to increase public trust in forest management, reduce illegal logging, incentivise and reward more sustainable forest management, and support the adaptation of forests to climate change.
Public consultation deadline: 17 November 2022
BIBM answer can be found here.
European Critical Raw Materials Act
To achieve the green and digital transitions, the EU must significantly increase and diversify its critical raw materials supply, strengthen circularity and support research and innovation.
This initiative will aim to reinforce EU monitoring capacities and strengthen both the EU value chain – through the identification of mineral resources and raw materials projects in the EU’s strategic interest, with strong environmental protection – and EU external policies on CRMs
Public consultation deadline: 25 November 2022
3. BIBM AGENDA
| OCTOBER 2022 | NOVEMBER 2022 | DECEMBER 2022 |
03/10: ECP Extraordinary Board Confcall 03/10: The Concrete Initiative Confcall 10/10: CPE WG CPR & Sustainability Confcall 11/10: BIBM Environment Commission Brussels (BE) 20/10: BIBM Technical Commission Brussels (BE) 25/10 ECP TF Health, Environment and Hygiene WG Microplastics Confcall | 09/11: BIBM Directors’ meeting Confcall 22/11: CEN/TC 229 WG 4 Horizontal topics Confcall 23/11: The Concrete Initiative Confcall 24/11: CEN/TC 104 TG 20 Sustainability Confcall 25/11: ECP Board Confcall 29/09 BIBM Board Rheden (NL) | 12/12: CEN/TC 229 Plenary Confcall 13/12: ECP Extraordinary General Assembly Brussels 19/12: The Concrete Initiative Confcall 21/12: CEN/TC 229 WG 1 Structural elements Confcall |
4. WEBINARS AND OTHER EVENTS
| Date | Organiser | Information |
| 03 -09 October | The Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development | Circular Week 2022 Registration (Series of events promoting sustainable production and consumption) |
| 10 October | The Concrete Centre | Sustainability Series: Getting closer to net zero using concrete Registration |
| 11 October | CEMBUREAU | Cementing Europe’s Future: Driving Innovation Towards Carbon Neutrality (Hybrid/Brussels, BE) Registration |
| 12 October | European Commission | Regions, cities, and Level(s): Powering the green transition in Europe’s buildings Registration |
| 12 October | European Commission | Workshop – Study on measuring the application of circular approaches in the construction industry ecosystem Registration |
| 18 October | Construction 2050 Alliance | ‘Sustainable Finance: the impact of the European taxonomy in the construction sector’ (Hybrid/Brussels, BE) Registration |
| 18 October | GCCA | Innovandi Open Challenge Demo Day Presentation Registration |
| 19-20 October | HLCF | New ways of building; New ways of collecting and using data for construction Registration |
| 20 October | European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform | EU Circular Talks – What role do secondary materials play in new constructions and in buildings renovation? Registration |
| 21 October | BIM-SPEED | Privacy – Ensuring Best Practices for the Digital Construction Industry Registration |
| 25 October | Euractiv | What is the future of the EU’s energy sector? (Hybrid/Brussels, BE) Registration |
| 26 October | Euractiv | District heating in the EU – What lies ahead? Registration |
| 26 October | Train4Sustain | Train4Sustain final workshop (Brussels, BE) Registration |
| 27 October | SME Connect | Energy for Europe Conference (Brussels, BE) Registration |
| 27 October | FEBE | FEBE Elements Awards 2022, (Brussels, BE) (watch online) |
| 7 November | EP Industry and Long-term Investment Intergroup | Feeding into European investors’ decisions to finance the green transition Registration |
| 22 November | NEPSI in Action | Kick-off Conference (Brussels, BE) |
| 10-11 November | Industry Link | CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition (Lisbon, PT) Registration |
| 15 November – 06 December | High Level Construction Forum | (15/11) Webinar on an EU initiative for screening, registration and removal of asbestos. (22/11) Webinar on ongoing green EU initiatives for the construction ecosystem (06/12) Webinar on public procurement in construction Registrations |
| 7 December | Euractiv | EU Energy transition – What role for critical raw materials? Registration |
5. BIBM PARTNERS NEWS
Concrete Dialogue 2022 final workshop
On 9 September, The Concrete Initiative Partners has organized its Concrete Dialogue 2022 final workshopentitled “Carbon uptake in cement and concrete – the EU policy framework”.
As several EU initiatives are being revised and developed throughout 2022 (CPR review; Sustainable Products Initiative; carbon removal certificates, whole life-cycle performance roadmap), Carbon Capture, Storage and Use (CCUS) and carbonation became important issues to be discussed and showcased at the Concrete Dialogue this year. Furthermore, carbonation is an issue for all the TCI members (CCS for cement, CCU for concrete and aggregates, LCA for all in the built environment, CO2 accounting for all) but also for the whole construction value chain.
TCI has previously organized two physical workshops with the EU policy makers, academia, NGOs and industry to discuss:
- “Carbon uptake in cement and concrete – CCUS” (6 May 2022)
- “Carbon uptake in cement and concrete – Sequestering carbon in concrete” (3 June 2022)
During the final workshop, the Partners provided their members with the outcome of the two workshops and gave an overview of the EU policy framework on carbon uptake which is being developed at EU level and could apply to cement and concrete (as we highlighted it in our position paper on carbon removals).
‘NEPSI in Action’ launch
The NEPSI Steering Committee met to launch the new ‘NEPSI IN ACTION’ project funded by the European Commission/with the support of the Social Dialogue EC budget line. This 27-month project will disseminate the NEPSI good practices and tools at the local level by organising 8 seminars in different countries over the next two years. The project aims to disseminate NEPSI practical tools with a focus on the needs of SMEs and the young generation of workers. This broad awareness campaign will start with a kick-off Conference on 22 November 2022 in Brussels and dedicated seminars will follow after.
On 22 November 2022, come and participate in the launching of the new NEPSI IN ACTION program with a focus on the needs of SMEs and the young generation of workers. For more information, please contact Ms. Magdalena Herbik: mh@bibm.eu.
Concrete 2050 Alliance hybrid event on EU Taxonomy
The Construction 2050 Alliance hosted a public event recently on Sustainable Finance and the impact of the EU taxonomy on the construction sector (see the recording here). On this occasion the Alliance shared the following 6 key messages. The Taxonomy:
- underlines again the construction sector’s huge potential for achieving the EU Green Deal goals;
- may offer a European approach of “sustainable construction” based on existing EU Regulations and European sustainability assessment standards, but some criteria should be improved, and reporting methodologies clarified;
- can set a new benchmark for competitiveness of the construction sector
- must create the conditions of mobilising capital to support the transition to sustainable construction;
- sustainability reporting obligations under the Taxonomy must be simple and proportionate;
- non-alignment with the Taxonomy must not cut off companies from financing and funding.
The Construction 2050 Alliance calls for the EU taxonomy to create the conditions to support the transition to sustainable construction. Read the press release here.
6. LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
State of the Union 2022
In her State of the Union address on 14 September 2022, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen outlined flagship initiatives which the Commission plans to undertake in the coming year. The President proposed to make 2023 the “European Year of Skills”. This will mean many new opportunities to improve the digital skills of Europeans and further investments in education and upskilling.
The initiatives among others include:
- Continuing to strongly support Ukraine and its people, including by mobilising the full power of the EU’s Single Market;
- Putting in place measures to support Europeans in weathering the energy crisis;
- Supporting the business environment, particularly small and medium enterprises, to strengthen Europe’s future competitiveness;
- Cutting the EU’s dependency on Russian fossil fuels, and working closely with reliable suppliers;
- Investing further in renewable energy and hydrogen in particular;
- Leading globally on climate adaptation and protecting our nature;
- Continuing to stand up for democracy, at home and across the world, and for the rule of law.
Commission work programme 2023
On 18 October 2022, the European Commission adopted its 2023 Commission work programme setting out the next steps to complete delivery on the ambitions set at the start of the mandate and further steer the Union towards a sustainable recovery. It also lists the key legislative proposals that should get priority in the legislative process to ensure swift implementation on the ground across all six of the Commission’s headline ambitions. This year’s work programme is driven by the ambitious and inspiring vision for our Union that was laid out in the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Look at the list of the upcoming legislative revisions here.
7. OUTSTANDING PRECAST CONCRETE PROJECTS
Housing Management Company Helsingin Viuhka in the Vuosaari area of Helsinki isa concrete building with complexity and innovation in architecture and structural design and the high quality of implementation. The design of Helsingin Viuhka utilised database modelling and use of building parts with a high degree of prefabrication. The dice-like balconies are cast from white concrete in one piece. Waterproofing, drain pipes and flashings are installed to the balcony at the factory. In structural terms, the balcony is a cantilevered balcony. The surfaces of the external sandwich walls of the precast building are smooth white concrete, graphic concrete and coated surfaces.
Owner: VVO Vuokra-asunnot Oy
Architect: Arkkitehtitoimisto Konkret Oy
Structural: Engineer Sweco Rakennustekniikka
Contractor: Fira Oy