NRMCA Promotes Concrete for Sustainability at Iowa Convention

Last week, Tien Peng, NRMCA’s senior director of sustainability, codes and standards, presented "Promoting Concrete for Sustainability" at the 64th Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Convention (IRMCA) in Altoona, IA. The program also featured Peter Brewin, former NRMCA chaiman, Peng's colleague, NRMCA Senior National Resource Director Jon Hansen and other notable industry experts. Approximately 100 industry professionals attended the session on sustainability initiatives and standards affecting the concrete industry, including LEED, International Green Construction Code, Environmental Product Declarations, GreenRoads and Sustainable Concrete Plant Certification. Findings of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Concrete Sustainability Hub on PVI (pavement vehicle interaction) were also referenced.

Peng was invited to speak at the event by Steve Mallicoat, P.E., IRMCA regional services manager and an NRMCA affiliate. Mallicoat is an active organizer of the convention and arranged the education sessions. NRMCA encourages its members to participate in their local sustainability efforts and offer topics and speakers for education programs. For those who feel comfortable presenting, NRMCA has a number of prescribed presentations ranging from specifying sustainable concrete to LCA of concrete structures. For the most complex topics, NRMCA can also provide technical staff to present at USGBC chapters.