Global concrete experts meet to tackle concrete emissions

Concrete industry and research leaders are meeting in Panama City this week to push forward sustainable concrete solutions. The Innovandi Global Cement and Concrete Research Network (GCCRN) is hosting its Spring Week from 17 to 21 March 2025, bringing together experts from over 40 universities and 30 industry partners.

The event focuses on reducing the cement and concrete industry’s carbon footprint, with the goal of achieving net-zero concrete by 2050.

Davide Zampini, GCCRN industrial chair and vice president of global research development at Cemex, said: "To achieve net-zero concrete by 2050, collaboration beyond our industry is essential. Spring Week serves as a crucial platform for exploring and harnessing innovative solutions."

Karen Scrivener, GCCRN’s scientific chair and director of the Laboratory of Construction Materials at EPFL in Lausanne, added: “This year's Spring Week marks a significant milestone in our journey toward net-zero research, bringing together diverse perspectives to drive meaningful progress."

The event gives industry leaders and researchers, including PhD students and postdocs, a chance to collaborate face-to-face. The sessions will focus on practical steps to cut emissions, including the use of alternative materials and processes, concrete recycling, renewable energy integration, kiln electrification, and carbon capture technologies.

GCCRN supports over 450 scientists and invests around €10 million annually in research, including €1.2 million specifically for CO₂ reduction.

The network aims to turn research into real-world solutions that can help the concrete industry reduce its environmental impact.