See NEU's activities and what the future brings.
The first quarter of 2024 was a whirlwind for NEU with participation in many conventions, meetings, and events. NEU is involved throughout the industry in gathering and disseminating information relevant to lowering carbon emissions in concrete. Take a peek at NEU's activities and actions to move the industry forward.
Involvement
International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib) Task Group 6.2 on Quality Control of Prefabricated Concrete
World of Concrete 2024 (including press conference on NEU, ACI 323 Low-Carbon Concrete code, and COP28.)
La Federación Interamericana del Cemento/Federación Iberoamericana del Hormigón Premezclado (FICEM/FIHP): Workshop about net zero roadmaps, codes, and standards in cement & concrete (including presentation)
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Convention, committee meetings, and The Precast Show
American Concrete Institute – Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMACI) event on Zero-Carbon Bio-Concrete
Annual Tri-Service Pavement-Transportation Meeting
The EU-US Transatlantic Initiative for Sustainable Trade (TIST) program workshop
American Concrete Institute Outlook 2040 Task Group meetings
American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) Sustainability Committee meeting
Bimonthly National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Low-Carbon Cement and Concrete Consortium meetings
Recent Activities
Hosting "A Look at Low-Carbon Cement and Concrete in the Construction Industry" session at the Spring 2024 ACI Convention
Hosting in-person NIST Low-Carbon Cement and Concrete Consortium meeting at the Spring 2024 ACI Convention
First Quarter Accomplishments
Submitted a grant proposal to the EPA to help support the NEU Validation/Verification program. Grant recipients will be revealed in July.
Completed the first pilot Verification Statement for a client. NEU is now working with a second applicant for the pilot program Verification Statement.
Conducted ACI webinar on the ABCs of Concrete Sustainability
Established a monthly column on NEU in Concrete International magazine
Updated the NEU website, including a redesign of the Resources page to improve search functions
Established a NEU Allied Organization MOU with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Upcoming NEU Events
NEU Spring 2024 Summit at the University of California – Davis on May 23, focusing on state initiatives (West Coast states primarily). By invitation only.
Cement Decarbonization Workshop on July 30-31, in conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, CO. By invitation only.
NEU Fall 2024 Summit (date and location TBA) focusing on federal initiatives. By invitation only.
We've only just begun!
NEU foresees continued progress throughout the year as we work with various agencies, associations, and members to advance the use of carbon-neutral materials and technologies. With the upcoming publication of ACI 323 Low-Carbon Concrete code and a soon-to-be-published guide from NEU on low-carbon materials and technologies, 2024 will bring an abundance of information and guidance to the cement and concrete industry.