NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete (NEU)—with a vision to guide the global concrete industry in advancing reduced-carbon concrete technologies—is excited to detail its accomplishments in 2024 to promote discussions and action around lowering carbon in the built environment. Additionally, NEU is introducing its new third-party Validation/Verification Program for the cement and concrete industries.
New third-party Validation/Verification Program
NEU’s Validation/Verification Program provides third-party validation or verification of the environmental claims of both existing and innovative new products and technologies associated with reduced carbon cement, concrete production and concrete products following the requirements of international ISO standards. The process is conducted impartially by subject matter experts based on internationally accepted ISO standards. Interested parties should contact NEU for information on the process.
NEU's global impact at COP29 in Baku
NEU was part of the global stage at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2024 (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. NEU Executive Director Dean Frank, P.E., and ACI Past President Antonio Nanni had the opportunity to collaborate with organizations worldwide, furthering the mission of limiting global warming.
Supporting the ACI 323: Low-Carbon Concrete Code
NEU supports ACI with the education and promotion of the new ACI 323-24: Low-Carbon Concrete Code. As a giant leap forward for the industry, this code introduces a carbon budget method, underlining the role of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for benchmarking, and aims to bring uniformity in techniques to lower carbon emissions associated with concrete construction.
The NEU Industry Survey
An industry survey commissioned by NEU is ongoing, intending to shed light on the challenges of implementing state-of-the-art reduced-carbon technologies. The results of this comprehensive, data-driven analysis will encourage innovation and highlight the movement toward a carbon-neutral built environment. An earlier, smaller survey of qualified producers found that the majority of respondents affirmed an industry-wide commitment to reduced-carbon technologies, with innovation centers and nonprofits emerging as the knowledge centers for change.
Summits with government agencies
In 2024, NEU held both Spring and Fall summits to facilitate dialogue among government agency representatives, industry leaders and researchers about the challenges and innovative strategies for adopting reduced-carbon materials in concrete construction.
The Spring 2024 Summit, From Policy to Placement: Implementing Reduced-Carbon Concrete Construction, met on the campus of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and was attended by NEU members and state agency representatives. The event focused on the efforts of state and local officials in California to promote the adoption of reduced-carbon concrete technologies.
NEU’s Fall 2024 Summit, A Focus on Federal Initiatives Intended to Accelerate Reduced-Carbon Concrete Technologies, involved NEU members and select federal agencies gathering at the ACI Mid-Atlantic Resource Center in Columbia, MD, USA. The discussion centered on what is needed for successful implementation of current federal initiatives and use of reduced-carbon concrete, as well as the current challenges and gaps associated with technology transitions.
Low-carbon concrete discussions at ACI Concrete Conventions
Both the Spring and Fall 2024 ACI Concrete Conventions saw NEU leading discussions on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in concrete. The sessions were structured to furnish participants with insights into the materials and technologies capable of reducing CO2 emissions associated with the concrete sector. NEU will be leading further sessions during the 2025 ACI Concrete Conventions.
NEU’s committed members
Along with these milestones, NEU is proud of its many dedicated members. Breakthrough Energy and Baker Concrete Construction are Supporting Members. Affiliate Members include Ash Grove, AOE, ACI Foundation, CarbiCrete, ecocem, Heidelberg Materials, PRIMX, Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association, CTS Cement and Lyten. The Allied Organizations include ASTM International, Federación Interamericana del Cemento, ICC Evaluation Service, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Carbon Zero Youth Initiative, CP Tech Center at Iowa State University, Portland Cement Association, Slag Cement Association, California Nevada Cement Association, American Society of Concrete Contractors, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association and UC Davis.
As NEU continues its mission to accelerate the adoption and use of reduced-carbon concrete technologies, we invite you to learn more about how to get involved. Visit us at www.neuconcrete.org.