NRMCA Releases Report on Sustainability

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has published the NRMCA 2011 Sustainability Report to communicate the ready mixed concrete industry’s progress toward meeting sustainability goals. In 2009, the U.S. ready mixed concrete industry established a vision, strategies and goals toward sustainable concrete manufacturing and construction (download the NRMCA Sustainability Initiatives atwww.nrmca.org/sustainability).

At the same time, the concrete industry was experiencing the worst economic downturn in its history and unprecedented regulatory changes. However, despite these challenges, the industry has re-dedicated itself to upholding the principles of sustainable development by establishing programs to help meet the aggressive goals it set for itself in 2009. The NRMCA 2011 Sustainability Report describes how the industry has invested millions of dollars in cutting edge research, new education and training programs, new personnel and plant certifications, and codes and standards advocacy to establish concrete as the sustainable material of choice for building and infrastructure projects and lower its environmental footprint.

“The ready mixed concrete industry understands the role it can play in reducing the environmental impact of construction through product and process improvements,” said NRMCA President Robert Garbini.

“It’s inspiring to see our members respond to the challenges of sustainability both in terms of how concrete is used in construction but also how the product is manufactured,” added Lionel Lemay, NRMCA’s senior vice president of sustainability. “The industry is truly concerned about the environment demonstrated by the investments it has made in research, education and measurement.”

Founded in 1930, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s mission is to represent the entire ready mixed concrete industry through leadership, promotion, advocacy, education and partnering. NRMCA represents over 1,500 manufacturers of concrete and 50+ state affiliate organizations. Approximately 85% of NRMCA’s members are classic American family-owned small businesses.

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BASF to Showcase Sustainable Products at ConExpo ConAgg Show

BASF, the Chemical Company, will showcase its latest technology innovations for sustainable concrete construction and proprietary concrete tools at booth S-9033 during the ConExpo-Con/Agg show, March, 22 – 26, 2011 in Las Vegas.

The booth will feature product and technology solutions for Commercial, Residential, Infrastructure and Sustainable Concrete applications. Admixture chemistry and fiber technology from BASF assists in manufacturing cost-effective concrete that enhances performance characteristics, improves aesthetics, increases the durability of structures and extends service life, and reduces the overall environmental impact.
In addition to technologies that enhance the properties of concrete, BASF will showcase four of its proprietary electronic tools that have been developed by the business to help concrete producers, architects, engineers, and building owners recognize the benefits of using concrete on their projects.
• Integrated Durability-Sustainability Wizard – This Wizard is intended to assist engineers, architects and specifiers in selecting admixture products and technologies to address various durability issues as well as to identify concrete technologies that may potentially contribute to earning LEED Credits for a building.
• Eco-Efficiency Analysis (EEA) Program –The innovative Eco-Efficiency Analysis program examines the environmental life cycle of concrete mixtures, beginning with the extraction of raw materials through the production of concrete. This analysis quantifies the economic and ecological benefits of concrete.
• Macro-Polymetric Fiber Dosage Wizard – The Wizard helps engineers, contractors, and concrete producers determine the amount of macrosynthetic fibers required to replace either welded-wire reinforcement (WWR) or small diameter bars used as shrinkage and temperature reinforcement and the potential savings.
• Surface Evaporation Calculator – This calculator gives an indication, based on a few simple inputs, of whether or not the weather conditions on the day of a concrete placement create a higher chance of plastic shrinkage cracking due to an increase in the rate of surface evaporation.
Each of these tools was custom designed and developed by BASF and is intended to further promote the use of concrete in construction while quantifying its ecological and environmental impact, calculating cost savings for the producer, the owner and the architect, increasing durability and service life, and assisting with project planning. Live demonstrations of the tools will take place in the booth.

In addition, BASF is hosting a Concrete Trivia Smackdown in the booth during the show. Each day the highest scoring player will receive a 16GB Wi-Fi iPad. The games will occur at the top and bottom of the hour, with three players per game challenged with questions in areas that revolve around concrete and construction, admixture technology, sustainability, industry acronyms, and some fun trivia facts just to name a few. Stop by the BASF booth S-9033 during the show to play.

To learn more about these technologies, please click here or stop by the BASF booth S-9033 at the 2011 ConExpo-Con/Agg. For more information about BASF’s sustainable construction solutions, please visit http://www.construction.basf.us/.

About the Construction Chemicals division
BASF’s Construction Chemicals division is the leading supplier of chemical systems and formulations for the construction industry. Continuous innovation and tailor-made solutions ensure its customers are more successful. Its Admixture Systems business unit specifically helps customers in the ready-mix, precast, manufactured concrete and underground construction industries. The Construction Systems unit offers a wide range of products for sports and industrial flooring, external renders and wall insulation, expansion joints, wood preservatives as well as specialist repair mortars, tile adhesives and waterproofing membranes. The division operates production sites and sales centers in more than 50 countries and achieved sales of about €2.1 billion with approximately 6,900 employees in 2010.

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Code for Sustainable Construction

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) have developed High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability 2.0. The criteria are written in mandatory language that amends and appends the International Code Council International Building Code (IBC).

Download High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability 2.0 

Download Power Point Presentation 

Download White Paper