New low-carbon cements, carbon sequestering concretes, new LCA methodologies to lower concrete’s environmental footprint and international resiliency initiatives were just a few of the innovative ideas presented at the 2015 International Concrete Sustainability Conference held last week in Miami. Hosted by NRMCA and the Iberoamerican Federation of Ready Mixed Concrete (FIHP), the conference featured two general sessions and 18 technical sessions. Over 65 speakers from around the world presented the latest advances, technical knowledge, continuing research, tools and solutions for sustainable concrete design, manufacturing and construction.

There were three other special events during the conference. First, conference attendees took a tour of the Florida International University (FIU) College of Engineering and Computing to visit the Titan America Structures and Construction Testing Laboratory and the International Hurricane Research Center Wall of Wind (WOW). The Women in Concrete Alliance Forum featured speakers and panel discussions on the role of women in the concrete industry and how gender diversity will help meet the challenges of concrete industry sustainability. The third special event was the annual Walk for Sustainability to support the RMC Research & Education Foundation.