The American Concrete Institute has launched a new center focused on driving research and adoption of carbon neutral materials for the industry.
The NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete will be located at the ACI’s headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The goal is developing paths forward to reduce the carbon footprint of a highly carbon-intensive industry.
Last week, the Global Cement and Concrete Association announced it is starting Net Zero Accelerators initiative with efforts in Egypt, Thailand, Colombia and India. Those nations together represent about 10 percent of overall cement and concrete production, according to the group.
The NEU-ACI effort announced Baker Concrete Inc. as the center’s first member. Baker is the largest concrete contractor in the U.S. and specializes in pre-construction, construction and project management services.
"NEU envisions a concrete industry where all stakeholders have access to technologies and the knowledge needed to effectively and safely produce and place carbon neutral concrete and concrete products," said Andrea Schokker, Executive Director, NEU. "Concrete plays a major role in a sustainable future and collaboration with members worldwide is critical to developing a comprehensive plan to help make the concrete industry carbon neutral by 2050.”
The ACI has spent the past decade convening its members in a campaign toward sustainability in the industry. The research and advocacy group started in 1904.
Concrete production is considered more than carbon-intensive than many other construction components. It emits 1 to 2 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to reports.
It is a composite of gravel or stone, sand, cement and water.
