Build With Strength Co-Sponsors Western Minnesota Roundtable on ICF Construction

Earlier this month, almost 100 attendees (some seen here) from Minnesota and surrounding states were introduced to the benefits of insulating concrete forms (ICFs) as well as advances in industry strategies for lower carbon concrete at a roundtable discussion co-sponsored by the Minnesota Concrete Council, the Aggregate and Ready Mix Association of Minnesota and NRMCA, and hosted by Duininck Concrete. The event was the first of its kind held in Western Minnesota, reports Senior Director, Building Innovations, Donn Thompson.

John Lee, director of sustainability for Producer member Cemstone Products Company, and Curt Gohmann of Whitecap Construction Supply introduced the group to construction techniques and benefits of ICF construction. ICFs provide a particularly good fit for construction in the severe conditions that are often a part of building in remote regions.

Josh Edwards, vice president, aggregates & engineering at AVR Inc., provided a detailed presentation on ready mixed concrete fundamentals, including approaches to reducing embodied carbon footprint that are becoming increasingly common in the industry. NRMCA Manager, Codes and Sustainability Programs, Matthew Lemay explained the latest developments with NRMCA’s industry wide environmental product declarations program as well as the status of the recently awarded U.S. EPA grant to NRMCA. Mat Pond, general manager for Duininck who welcomed the group and introduced speakers, indicated the interest and success of the half day of concrete education confirmed the desire to continue to offer similar events throughout the region.

For more information, contact Donn Thompson at dthompson@nrmca.org.