While the metallurgical and semiconductor industries have benefited from a deeper understanding of chemical processes that underlie productivity improvements, the concrete industry is falling behind, states a Texas university professor. In large part, that can be attributed to a lack of thorough understanding of the chemical processes involved in the hydration of portland cement, says Maria Juenger, associate professor, University of Texas at Austin. Juenger says that miracle metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and semi-conductors were developed through an understanding of chemical kinetics - the study of rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions and of the factors on which they depend. By mastering kinetics, concrete producers can also maximize sustainability.