SESSION 41 | THE NEW CONCRETE PCR, INDUSTRY-WIDE EPD AND BENCHMARK REPORT

 

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Sustainable ready-mixed concrete design is a rapidly evolving field. The NRMCA industry average environmental product declaration (EPD) for concrete has demonstrated an estimated 21% decrease in industry carbon emissions, measured in Global Warming Potential (GWP), from 2014 to 2021. It is essential for industry standards to be updated frequently to keep pace with the changing field of sustainable ready-mixed concrete.

NSF International recently published the revised Product Category Rule (PCR) standard for ready mixed concrete with key updates that will affect how ready-mixed concrete producers report data to create EPDs.

NRMCA is also publishing its fourth version of the Industry Average EPD and Benchmark Report, which it has maintained since 2013. This report will conform with the new concrete PCR and estimates the environmental impacts of ready-mixed concrete across a large range of compressive strengths and ratios of cement replacement by supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Version 4.0 is based on an entirely new survey of the industry, with data contributed by over 1,000 ready-mixed concrete plants, more than double the size of previous versions.

The Regional Benchmark Report is a companion document which uses the same survey data to estimate the impact of the “average” concrete mix based on survey data, for both national and multi-state regional scopes. This assists specifiers and policy makers with setting realistic, achievable benchmarks for low-carbon concrete that still drive innovation and best sustainable practices.

This session will provide an overview of the new concrete PCR, industry-wide EPD and regional benchmark report outlining key updates and their anticipated impact on industry. 

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Learning Objectives:

• Review the history of the concrete product category rule (PCR) and Industry Average environmental product declaration (EPD) for concrete.

• Understand the concrete PCR version 3.0 and its effects on EPDs for concrete.

• Discuss the expanded range of concrete products in the Industry Average EPD version 4.0.

• Review changes in national and regional global warming potential (GWP) benchmarks and their causes.

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Presented by: 

Tiffany Reed-Villarreal, P.E., Director Sustainability Codes and Standards, NRMCA

James Salazar, Sustainability Director, WAP Sustainability Consulting  

 

​Product Spotlight - Command Alkon | BEYOND THE MIX DESIGN: ACHIEVING LOWER CARBON CONCRETE THROUGH DIGITAL WORKFLOWS

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The concrete industry is making significant progress in designing and measuring lower-carbon concrete. But an important question remains:

Once we've designed and measured lower-carbon concrete, how do we consistently deliver it?

Success depends on more than the mix itself. It requires the ability to produce, manage, and deliver concrete with greater consistency, less waste, and better visibility across operations. This session explores how digital technologies help ready mix producers improve process control, reduce variability, optimize resources, and connect critical operational data to support both sustainability and business performance goals.

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Presented by:​

Todd Koch, SVP Plant Automation Solutions, Command Alkon
Jay Shilstone, Quality Control Expert & Product Owner, Command Alkon

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​​Product Spotlight - Climate Earth | COCNRETE EPDs - A PRACTICAL FOCUS

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This presentation will focus on what concrete producers should do next, how they can prepare their EPD workflows, and how Climate Earth is adapting our platform to support producers through the PCR transition.  

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Presented by:​

Hossein Tavakoli, Global Director of EPD & LCA Services, Climate Earth

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