RESEARCH

Presenters: Jim Schneider, LEED AP (PCI Mountain States) and Donn Thompson, AIA, LEED AP (NRMCA)

Description: Concrete is a durable, resilient material that can provide many benefits to efficient, sustainable structures in the long term. While concrete does have an upfront CO2 impact, the industry is working to reduce GHG emissions and increase the efficiency of its products. This presentation will discuss technical innovations to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete and examine current process improvements that are pushing the industry forward to a more sustainable future.

This presentation will discuss materials being developed for the concrete industry that will lower the embodied carbon of a yard of concrete.  Some materials are ready to use and do not require additional support or alteration of how we produce, place, and finish concrete.  Others will require new approaches, new specification, and new understanding of chemistry.

Presenter: Larry Sutter, Ph.D., P.E., Sutter Engineering, LLC

The concrete industry has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.  In response to this goal, many industry organizations are tasked with getting their message related to decarbonization and sustainability to their customers, specifiers, and employees.  Transparency and recognition of goals and achievements are vital.  Kimberly will discuss a variety of methods and materials that should be used to effectively communicate progress.  Kimberly will help you identify key ways to communicate the steps your organization is taking, whether that be in the form of a new product or innovative process, that will help your organization reach your sustainability goals.

The presenter will be Kimberly Kayler, CPSM of AOE (Advancing Organizational Excellence).