Position Papers & Press Releases
2025
Construction 2050 Alliance unveils its Manifesto 2025 to shape Europe’s built environment
The manifesto underscores the central role of construction in achieving the EU’s industrial, economic, environmental, and social objectives. With the sector contributing 10% of the EU’s GDP and employing 25 million people, it is vital for addressing challenges such as decarbonisation, resource efficiency, and housing affordability.
The Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal – 400 Leaders Urge EU Heads of State to Implement Clean Industrial Deal – press release (26.02.25)
400 business leaders send urgent call to Heads of State to implement the Clean Industrial Deal following high-level meeting with Commission President.
2024
BIBM Precast Advantages Paper
BIBM Precast Advantages Paper highlights the benefits of building with precast concrete in line with sustainability opportunities. The document emphasises the added advantages of concrete prefabrication.
BIBM Publishes Study Results on the Impact of the New Eurocodes (2023) on Precast Design
The forthcoming Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1:2023) introduces new rules for the design of concrete structures, adopting a different approach compared to the current version. This study aims to assess the impact of the new code on the design of precast concrete elements by comparing a complete structure (a theoretical five-storey office building) designed according to both codes. The results highlight the differences in design for beams (reinforced and prestressed), floors (TT elements, hollowcore, and floor plates), columns, and foundation footing elements.
BIBM launches its EU Manifesto 2024-2029: “Building a Sustainable Future with Precast Concrete”
BIBM unveils its EU Manifesto 2024-2029 on building a sustainable future with precast concrete. Our manifesto highlights key priorities for the next 5 years, urging EU institutions to adopt policies for a resilient and sustainable construction ecosystem.
Global Warming Potential for the EPBD: Key Parameters Considered by the Concrete and Cement Sector (23.08.24)
Concrete Europe supports the European Union in decarbonising the built environment and believes that the EPBD will be the key driver for decarbonisation towards 2050. That is why we are taking the opportunity of the implementation of the revised EPBD, which has just started, to provide the Commission services and Viegand Maagøe with some input on the EU framework for the national calculation of lifecycle GWP that they need to develop.
BIBM Receives Report from CERIB on Sustainable Practices for Climate Change Adaptation – press release (01.07.2024)
BIBM has recently received a report from CERIB, Europe’s largest research centre dedicated to the precast concrete sector, for the RiskAdapt project. The report identifies five sustainable practices for climate change adaptation. It emphasises that low-carbon binders combined with optimised structural design can significantly reduce CO2 emissions, despite challenges from non-standardised specifications and regulations.
Press release:
Full report:
More information:
Concrete contribution to Circular Economy (13.05.24)
Given the increasing sustainability trends and the need for circular economy principles, this paper represents Concrete Europe’s position on the topic aligned with the sector’s views and needs. Embracing a collaborative approach, it demonstrates how Concrete Europe perceives circularity as well as what it asks both the policy, industry, and other stakeholders.
The Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal – Over 1000 signatures – press release (18.04.2024)
More than 1000 organisations, including BIBM and Concrete Europe, join forces to call on EU Leaders to support the business case for investing in Europe with the European Industrial Deal. The Antwerp Declaration has garnered significant backing, attracting support from business executives, industry associations, and Trade Unions representing 25 sectors across Europe, in an unprecedented demonstration of solidarity.
BIBM Position Paper on Choosing between the Rebuilding and Renovating Options
This paper examines rebuilding and renovating to enhance construction performance and sustainability. It challenges the notion that renovating is universally superior to rebuilding, emphasizing the need for scientific measurement and tracking of various factors. Stressing the importance of life cycle assessment and costing, it highlights these methodologies for informed decision-making. The paper illustrates the main drivers for choosing between rebuilding and renovating.
BIBM Research and Position Paper on Embodied vs Operational Carbon Emissions
This paper introduces embodied and operational carbon and their relationship. It challenges the notion that reducing operational carbon increases embodied carbon, showing how technologies lowering operational carbon also decrease embodied carbon, or alternative technologies lower embodied carbon. It advocates for a total carbon approach targeting both types of emissions.
EUPAVE joins Concrete Europe as an Associate Member (22.02.2024)
Concrete Europe is pleased to announce the inclusion of EUPAVE, headquartered in Brussels and representing the European concrete paving industry, as an Associate Member. This partnership highlights our joint commitment to achieving the goals of the EU Green Deal in the construction sector.
Concrete Europe Manifesto for Decarbonised and Circular Buildings and Infrastructures (29.01.2024)
Leading up to the European elections of 6 to 9 June 2024, Concrete Europe, the European Association representing the sectoral associations of the concrete value chain, would like to outline the key priorities for the upcoming political cycle.
2023
The Construction 2050 Alliance publishes its call and commitment for the new EU political term (13.12.2023)
On 13 December, ahead of the European elections in 2024, the Construction 2050 Alliance has released its Call and commitment for the new European Union political term, reminding how fundamental the construction industry is to the people-economy-climate triangle, and therefore to the competitiveness of the EU.
European Fire Safety Sector launches support campaign calling for a EU Fire Safety Strategy – press release (11.12.2023)
Ahead of the 2024 European elections, organisations representing consumers, fire experts and industries actively working on fire safety in the European Union have launched a support campaign calling for a EU Fire Safety Strategy.
BIBM elects its new President and Vice-President – press release (28.09.2023)
The Federation of the European Precast Concrete Industry (BIBM), at its General Assembly held during the BIBM Congress on September 28, 2023, has elected Stefan Van Buggenhout as the new President and Ignacio Brujó Sánchez-Harguindey as the new Vice-President for the term 2023 – 2026.
BIBM launches its Decarbonisation Pledge – press release (05.10.2023)
The Federation of the European Precast Concrete Industry (BIBM) proudly announces the launch of the BIBM Decarbonisation Pledge. This initiative showcases the precast concrete industry’s unwavering commitment to fostering a sustainable and low-carbon society.
Launch of Concrete Europe: The Voice of Concrete and Its Value Chain – press release (08.02.2023)
Concrete Europe will continue to convey to the EU stakeholders our sector’s contribution to achieving the goals of the EU Green Deal.
2022
Construction 2050 Alliance – EU Taxonomy – Key messages – press release (18.10.2022)
The Construction 2050 Alliance calls for the EU taxonomy to create the conditions to support the transition to sustainable construction.
ASSOBETON joins BIBM – press release (21.09.2022)
Milan, 21 September 2022 – By officially becoming a member of BIBM, as announced last week on the occasion of the General Board, ASSOBETON reaffirms its commitment to overseeing the issues of the precast concrete sector, both nationally and internationally.
Carbon Accounting for Building Materials joint project – press release (08.06.2022)
A consortium of European and global trade bodies are publishing a peer-reviewed study on the Global Warming Potential of biobased construction products.
The Concrete Initiative position paper on carbon removals (02.05.2022)
Download below the contribution of the cement and concrete sector to carbon removals.
2021
GCCA Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete (12.10.2021)
Download the full Concrete Future – GCCA 2050 Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete.
Fair Construction Rules joint project – press release (11.10.2021)
International consortium starts independent research into methodologies for the assessment of the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of biobased materials used in construction.
The Concrete Initiative is Official Partner of the New European Bauhaus – press release (08.09.2021)
The Concrete Initiative welcomes the updated EU Industrial Strategy – press release (18.05.2021)
The Little Green Book 2021 Launch – press release (13.04.2021)
2020
Construction 2050 Alliance – press release (04.12.2020)
New BIBM President – press release (16.11.2020)
BIBM statement on the Renovation Wave (16.10.2020)
The Concrete Initiative position paper on the Circular Economy action plan (27.04.2020)
2019
Joint Paper of the Industry for an ambitious European Industrial Strategy (26.11.2019)
Please find below the joint paper of 149 industrial signatories:
Joint Paper ‘A long-term strategy for Europe’s industrial future: from words to action’
European industries unite to call for an ambitious EU industrial strategy:
Press Release Industry4Europe – Joint Paper_November 2019
Background photo credit: https://www.jolietconcretesolutions.com/