GCCA launches ‘Innovandi – the Global Cement and Concrete Research Network’

Accelerating global collaboration on cement and concrete innovation – an important step in climate action

• The network connects industry with scientific institutions to drive new ways of working and innovations
• It builds on the industry’s long-held commitment to ensuring a sustainable future

SINGAPORE (10 October 2019) – The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has today announced the formation of Innovandi – the Global Cement and Concrete Research Network.

The network ties together the cement and concrete industry with scientific institutions to drive and support global innovation with actionable research.

It aims to decisively build on the industry’s sustainability progress such as achieving an 18.3% reduction in CO2 per tonne of cementitious product since 1990 and increasing the use of alternative fuels eight-fold in that same timeframe.

Launching the Innovandi research network at the GCCA Annual Conference in Singapore, Benjamin Sporton, GCCA CEO said:

“Our industry is fully committed to taking action to reduce CO2 emissions. As such, Innovandi is an industry led initiative and will bring together the best minds from all corners of the cement and concrete world, academia and business. Together we will truly collaborate on a global scale and use our expertise to find new ways of working and developing effective innovations.

“This will really help to ensure that concrete becomes the sustainable building material of choice for the future needs of the world.”

The network intends to research the areas of process technology (including the impact of co-processing, efficiency of clinker production and implementation of CCUS/ technologies) and products. This will include the impact of clinker substitutes and alternative binders in concrete, low carbon concrete technology and improve the understanding of CO2 reduction through re-carbonation.

Wolfgang Dienemann, Director of Global Research & Development at HeidelbergCement and co-chair of the GCCA Innovation Working Group said:

“The industry has a long and proud history of innovation, and of research and development – whether from within the sector or through academic institutions. However, Innovandi will accelerate that good work and bring the smart thinking more closely together. Given the urgency of the challenge it is the right thing to do and I am delighted that we are taking such a strong step forward by launching the Global Cement and Concrete Research Network today.”

24 companies [*highlighted below] from across the cement and concrete industry, including cement and concrete manufacturers, admixture specialists and equipment suppliers, have already committed to the initiative, with scientific institutions and additional companies set to join as its work begins work.

As part of the new initiative, the GCCA also intends to establish an annual Innovandi global conference to promote collaboration on innovation and research in the sector. Going forward, it will a be an integral part of the GCCA’s annual conference, which this year is taking place on 10^th October in Singapore.

*Buzzi UNICEM, Cementir Holding, Cementos Argos, Cementos Molins, Cementos Pacasmayo, Cemento Progresso S.A., CEMEX, CNBM, Chryso, CRH, Dalmia Cement, FLSmidth A/S, Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua de CV (GCC), GCP Applied Technologies, Mapei, HeidelbergCement, LafargeHolcim, Nesher Israel Enterprises Ltd, SCG Cement, TITAN Cement, Refratechnik Cement GmbH, Sika Technology A.G., Subote New Materials Co. Ltd, Votorantim

About the GCCA:

Launched in January 2018, the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) is dedicated to developing and strengthening the sector’s contribution to sustainable construction. The GCCA aims to foster innovation throughout the construction value chain in collaboration with industry associations as well as architects, engineers and innovators. In this way, the association demonstrates how concrete solutions can meet global construction challenges and sustainable development goals while showcasing responsible industrial leadership in the manufacture and use of cement and concrete. The GCCA is headquartered in London, England. It complements and supports the work done by associations at national and regional level.