Concrete Alberta Sustainability: Q&A with Brenton Smith – Part 2
Concrete Alberta’s Sustainability and Resilience Committee recently developed a video series called “Concrete: A Pathway to a Sustainable Tomorrow.” Here is part two of our conversation with Chryso Canada employee Benton Smith to discuss the video series and what it has to say about sustainability.
Lisa Barnard: What are the biggest challenges you foresee in reaching concrete zero, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Brenton Smith: The biggest challenges in reaching concrete zero are ensuring collaboration and communication among all parties involved, including specifiers, concrete producers, testing companies, and material suppliers. and by not fixating on just one element, such as converting the market to Portland limestone cement, but addressing multiple aspects like quality SCMs, concrete admixture technology, local materials, minimizing concrete waste, and maximizing recycled water.
To overcome these challenges you must address each challenge one at a time while maintaining a holistic approach to the various elements involved in achieving concrete zero, and emphasize the ambitious yet achievable nature of the goal, ensuring continuous efforts and improvements across all areas.
Lisa Barnard: What types of innovations in concrete technology are being implemented to reduce carbon emissions?
Brenton Smith: There are several recent innovations in concrete technology that work to reduce carbon emissions such as the use of Portland limestone cement (PLC) and supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) like fly ash, metakaolin, and other SCMs from waste streams.
We also now have advanced admixture technologies, such as high-range water reducers and strength enhancers help minimize cement content and maximize SCMs. Products like the Quad line enhance finishability and allow the use of manufactured sands, reducing aggregate transportation costs and CO2 emissions.
Lisa Barnard: How do you ensure that the transition to concrete zero does not compromise the quality and performance of concrete products?
Brenton Smith: Ensuring the transition to concrete zero does not compromise the quality and performance of concrete products involves several key strategies.
The first is communication and collaboration… effective communication and collaboration among specifiers, concrete producers, testing companies, and material suppliers are critical. This ensures that all parties work together to achieve the goal without compromising quality.
Leaning on suppliers for help is also essential. Suppliers often have regional labs and internal resources to assist customers in adopting new products and adapting to changes. This helps ensure that end users receive high-quality products without compromising plastic or hardened properties.
Lastly, conducting thorough testing and customizing products to fit local materials and conditions is crucial. This approach ensures that the concrete mix meets performance specifications while reducing carbon emissions.
These strategies collectively help maintain the quality and performance of concrete products during the transition to concrete zero.
Learn more about Concrete Alberta.
