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Source: http://concretenz.org.nz/resource/rss/news.rss

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<title>Latest News</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/</link>
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Read about recent events, essential information and the latest community news. ]]></description>
<lastBuildDate>Tue, 7 May 2024 05:31:30 GMT</lastBuildDate>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Apr 2024 02:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<copyright>Copyright © 2024 Concrete New Zealand</copyright>
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<item>
<title>Chief Executive's Upfront First Sustainability Report Published </title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/668926/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/668926/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Concrete NZ has had a busy start to the year, with the release of the inaugural Sustainability Report for the Aotearoa New Zealand Cement and Concrete Sectors 2021/22.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/rob_gaimster.jpg" /> 
Rob Gaimster, Chief Executive
Along with our 2050 Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap 2050, the Sustainability Report is another example of industry's commitment to fostering a sustainable future.
Based on a conviction that to effectively address our environmental and social footprints, we must begin by measuring them accurately, the report covers the months spanning 2021-22, and establishes a foundation from which we will monitor our progress
every two years.
Cement, concrete, and concrete product manufacturers in New Zealand have for several decades undertaken measures to reduce the industry's carbon footprint, improve water efficiency, incorporate recycled materials into concrete manufacturing, and safeguard
our workforce. While we can take pride in our accomplishments, it's imperative that we pursue further enhancements.
The report outlines the industry's recent efforts across energy consumption and emissions, water use, waste management, as well as health and safety. We have also explored mechanisms for improvement and evaluated how concrete lines-up with the United
Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Our upcoming <a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/667732/">Low Carbon Concrete Specification & Design seminar series </a>has been developed to help inform and communicate our industry's decarbonisation, and broader sustainability journeys.
These seminars will give Structural Engineers, Graduate Engineers, Designers, Specifiers, Building Certifiers, Building Officials, Contractors, Architects and Architectural Designers the tools and confidence to use new, innovative low carbon concrete
products that are in high demand from customers.
Construction professionals will learn how to enhance buildings and infrastructure via a better understanding of the current building for climate change context, the constituent impacts of concrete, the intricacies of specifying low carbon concrete and
the efficiencies that can be achieved in structural design.
Seminars will run across the main centres as below. Registrations are open, so I encourage you to grab your seat as soon as possible.
<ul>
<li>Auckland (Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre) - Tuesday 30 April</li>
<li>Hamilton (Claudelands Event Centre) - Thursday 2 May</li>
<li>Wellington (Naumi Hotel) - Tuesday 7 May</li>
<li>Christchurch (Novotel Christchurch Airport) - Thursday 9 May</li>
</ul>
We wish you a well-earned rest over the Easter break, and hope to see you at the seminars – as well as our end of year fib Symposium and 1-day Concrete NZ Conference, set for 11-14 November at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.
]]></description>
<category>Upfront</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Apr 2024 03:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Sustainability Report Sets Benchmark for New Zealand Concrete Industry</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/668924/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/668924/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Concrete NZ has recently published the inaugural cement and concrete industry sustainability report, which across a range of metrics draws a clear line in the sand from where progress can be accurately measured. 

<a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_21-22_sus_report.pdf" target="_blank"><img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images5/s_report.png" /></a>
Rob Gaimster, Concrete NZ chief executive, points out that along with last year’s <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_roadmap_concrete.pdf" target="_blank">2050 Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap</a>, the release
of <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_21-22_sus_report.pdf" target="_blank">Sustainability Report for the Aotearoa New Zealand Cement and Concrete Sectors 2021/22</a> is another example of industry's
commitment to fostering a sustainable future.
“The Sustainability Report is based on a conviction that to effectively address our environmental and social footprints, we must begin by measuring them with precision,” says Rob.
“Cement, concrete, and concrete product manufacturers in New Zealand have for several decades undertaken measures to reduce the industry's carbon footprint, improve water efficiency, incorporate recycled materials into concrete production, and safeguard
our workforce.” 
An updated independent review of industry’s efforts shows that carbon emissions from cement were reduced by 11 percent between 2005 and 2020, despite an 11 percent increase in production in that period.
“While we can take pride in our accomplishments, it's imperative that we pursue further enhancements.”
“The Sustainability Report outlines the industry's recent efforts across energy consumption and emissions, water use, waste management, as well as health and safety,” notes Rob.
“By collaborating with industry stakeholders, we have collected data to establish targets that propel us toward our sustainability objectives.
“We have also explored mechanisms for improvement and evaluated how concrete aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Sustainability Report’s significant lies in the fact that concrete is an essential construction material that has shaped the modern world, and is critical to building a sustainable tomorrow. 
It will play an integral role in addressing the need for sustainable and thriving communities through the delivery of key infrastructure, homes, clean water, clean and renewable energy and by providing a more resilient built environment as the climate
changes.

“The report covers the months spanning 2021-22 and establishes a foundation from which we will monitor our progress every two years,” says Rob.
“We have begun collecting data for the follow-up 2023 report, which once complete will be shared with stakeholders across the cement and concrete industry as well as the wider construction and infrastructure sectors.”]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Apr 2024 01:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Upcoming Learned Society Seminar Focused on Low Carbon Concrete Specification & Design</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/667732/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/667732/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Concrete NZ is thrilled to announce the Learned Society’s upcoming seminar series focusing on <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/ls/seminar/ls_low_carbon_concrete.pdf" target="_blank">Low Carbon Concrete Specification & Design</a>, which will be a fantastic opportunity for construction professionals to delve into the crucial topic of low carbon concrete and its impact on building and infrastructure development.
<a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/ls/seminar/ls_low_carbon_concrete.pdf" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images5/ls_semianr_low_dates.png" style="width: 100%; height: 53%;" /></a>
Download the <a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/ls/seminar/ls_low_carbon_concrete.pdf" target="_blank">seminar brochure</a>, complete the registration form and return to <a href="mailto: adam@concretenz.org.nz">adam@concretenz.org.nz</a>
 Alternatively, purchase tickets online at Concrete NZ's <a href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/concretenz" target="_blank">Ticket Tailor</a> portal.

<hr width="75%" />
Following water, concrete is the world's second-most abundant resource - or to put it another way, it is the most widely used manufactured substance on the globe. Its profound impact on shaping our world is rooted in its strength, durability, resilience,
safety, and cost-effectiveness, making it indispensable for the construction of critical infrastructure.
 Concrete plays a pivotal role in steering our global trajectory towards sustainable development, particularly in terms of mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, supporting the infrastructure necessary for clean energy initiatives and
enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings - underlining its significance in the broader context of environmental consciousness and responsible construction practices. 
 This half-day seminar will help construction professionals to enhance buildings and infrastructure via a better understanding of the current building for climate change context, the constituent impacts of concrete, the intricacies of specifying (low carbon)
concrete and the efficiencies that can be achieved in structural design. 
THIS SEMINAR WILL COVER
Context
<ul>
<li>Cement & concrete in construction and emissions</li>
<li>NZ’s carbon reduction goals and emissions budgets</li>
<li>NZ concrete industry’s decarbonisation roadmap, including pathways</li>
<li>Life Cycle Assessment (LCAs) and the different stages</li>
</ul>
Materials
<ul>
<li>Cements, Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), pozzolans and mineral additions:
<ul>
<li>Types, availability and other considerations</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Performance of low carbon concrete</li>
<li>Recycling concrete and understanding carbonation</li>
</ul>
Specification
<ul>
<li>What makes a good specification? </li>
<li>How to specify low carbon concrete & Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) </li>
<li>Examples of low carbon and SCM specifications</li>
<li>How to use Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) </li>
</ul>
Design
<ul>
<li>The role of designers in reducing embodied carbon </li>
<li>Structural implications of low carbon concrete</li>
<li>Designing Clever </li>
<li>Circular design – end-of-life strategy</li>
<li>Extending a structure’s design life</li>
</ul>
OTHER BENEFITS
<ul>
<li>Comprehensive resources provided through the seminar notes.
</li>
<li>Knowledgeable and experienced speakers.
</li>
<li>The opportunity to network with industry peers. </li>
</ul>
VENUES
<ul>
<li>Auckland - Tuesday 30 April</li>
<li>Hamilton - Thursday 2 May</li>
<li>Wellington - Tuesday 7 May</li>
<li>Christchurch - Thursday 9 May</li>
</ul>
WHO SHOULD ATTEND Structural Engineers, Graduate Engineers, Designers, Specifiers, Building Certifiers, Building Officials, Contractors, Architects and Architectural Designers.
*****This seminar offers 30 NZRAB CPD points*****
INVESTMENT DETAILS
<ul>
<li>Concrete NZ member: $360 (GST exclusive) per person</li>
<li>Non members: $460 (GST exclusive) per person (includes complimentary Learned Society membership until 30 June 2025) </li>
<li>Student: $120 (GST exclusive) per person (includes complimentary Learned Society membership until graduation) </li>
</ul>
SEMINAR FEES INCLUDE
<ul>
<li>Tea and coffee on arrival</li>
<li>Afternoon tea</li>
<li>Comprehensive seminar notes</li>
</ul>
PROGRAMME
12.30 – 1.00 pm Registration
1.00 – 1.10 pm Introduction
Session 1 | 1.10 - 1.45 pm Context - Alistair Bennett
<ul>
<li>Cement & concrete in construction and emissions</li>
<li>NZ’s carbon reduction goals and emissions budgets</li>
<li>NZ concrete industry’s decarbonisation roadmap, including pathways</li>
<li>Life Cycle Assessment (LCAs) and the different stages</li>
</ul>
Session 2 | 1.45 - 2.30 pm Materials - Alistair Bennett
<ul>
<li>Cements, Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), pozzolans and mineral additions:
<ul>
<li>Types, availability and other considerations</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Performance of low carbon concrete</li>
<li>Recycling concrete and understanding carbonation</li>
</ul>
2.45 – 3.15 pm Afternoon Tea
Session 3 | 3.15 - 4.00 pm Specifications – Harry Riley-Smith
<ul>
<li>What makes a good specification? </li>
<li>How to specify low carbon concrete & Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) </li>
<li>Examples of low carbon and SCM specifications</li>
<li>How to use Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) </li>
</ul>
Session 4 | 4.00 - 4.45 pm Design – Harry Riley-Smith 
<ul>
<li>The role of designers in reducing embodied carbon </li>
<li>Structural implications of low carbon concrete</li>
<li>Designing Clever </li>
<li>Circular design – end-of-life strategy</li>
<li>Extending a structure’s design life</li>
</ul>
SPEAKERS PROFILES
Alistair Bennett - Courtesy of Firth Industries Alistair is a Senior Materials Manager at Firth Industries, where he has worked in a variety of engineering and operational roles since 1999. His work experience encompasses concrete specification,
mix design, quality management, supply and construction. He has also contributed to the development of guides, standards, and publications for the New Zealand concrete industry. Alistair contributes to industry advancement as a Learned Society Council
member; Readymix Sector Group Technical Committee member and a Sustainability Technical Working Group member; all under the auspices of Concrete NZ.
Harry Riley-Smith - Courtesy of Aurecon Harry has over 10 years of structural engineering experience on projects in New Zealand and overseas. He has experience leading the structural engineering on a range of healthcare, commercial, and residential
buildings across all project stages. Harry has expertise and a passion for embodied carbon in building structures. He is committed to sustainable structural engineering principals and educating other engineers as we transition to more sustainable
design practices.
REGISTRATION
Download the <a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/ls/seminar/ls_low_carbon_concrete.pdf" target="_blank">seminar brochure</a>, complete the registration form and return to <a href="mailto: adam@concretenz.org.nz">adam@concretenz.org.nz</a>

Alternatively, purchase tickets online at Concrete NZ's <a href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/concretenz" target="_blank">Ticket Tailor</a> portal.

For all enquiries phone Adam Leach on 0275355144.
]]></description>
<category>Learned Society</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2024 04:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Alternative Methods for Sand Quality Assessment for Lower Carbon Concrete</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/662432/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/662432/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Carbon dioxide emissions from concrete production are mostly due to cementitious materials and often contribute over 80% of the total emissions despite representing less than 20% of its volume.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/james_mackechnie.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
James Mackechnie - South Island Technical Manager/Plant Engineer, Allied Concrete
Optimisation of aggregates that form the bulk of concrete can have a significant impact on emissions, especially when dealing with poorer resources. Good quality fine aggregate lowers water demand, improves workability and ultimately increases cementing
efficiency of concrete mixes.
Fine aggregates in concrete consists of either natural or manufactured sand or a blend of these materials. Methods of assessing the quality of fine aggregate rely on the following laboratory techniques: 
<ul>
<li> Moisture content of sand since this varies in stockpiles and measurement is important to produce consistent concrete properties.</li>
<li> Sieve analysis to determine particle size distribution with median size expressed as fineness modulus (FM).</li>
<li> Presence of deleterious ultra-fines such as silt or clay or other contaminants such as lightweight, micaceous or organic material is done periodically.</li>
<li> Average shape and texture of particles, which while strongly affecting water demand of fresh concrete are not often assessed.</li>
</ul>
Some of these techniques have been standardized and a summary of the main methods of analysis are shown in Figure 1. Most concrete production plants have only basic laboratory resources such that regular testing is often limited to sieve analysis and
moisture content measurement. The development of alternative methods is also considered and reviewed.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images4/fig13_.png" style="width: 100%;" /> 


Figure 1: Techniques for assessing the quality and properties of sand.

MOISTURE CONTENT Measurement of moisture in fine aggregates is important to be able to batch concrete accurately and produce predictable performance of fresh and hardened concrete. Moisture is measured either manually by sampling
sand before or during production, using either laboratory drying or hand-held moisture probes, or it is done automatically using installed moisture probes. Correctly calibrated moisture probes allow faster batching, better automation and improves
cement efficiency of concrete. Control of sand moisture content coming from quarries is still important however since:
<ul>
<li> Dry sand can segregate in stockpiles causing rapid slump loss of fresh concrete due to absorption.</li>
<li> Very wet sand tends to clog around moisture probes causing misreading of the true moisture content or is outside the calibrated range.</li>
</ul>
SIEVE ANALYSIS Measuring particle size distribution can be done in the laboratory using sieve analysis of the dried fine aggregate. Grading of sand is the most important quality indicator since variations affect both fresh and hardened
properties of concrete. Testing requires sample preparation together with expertise and equipment for reliable testing, which means measurement is rarely done more than once a day or sometimes only weekly. Fineness modulus (FM) is a useful control
parameter for sand but is a relatively poor basis of comparison between different sources as shown in Figure 2 for a range of natural sands with similar FM.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images4/fig14_.png" style="width: 100%;" /> 

Figure 2: Grading of natural sands with similar fineness modulus.
Digital analysis of particle size distribution of sands has been developed but these are still limited to isolated samples rather than continuous monitoring during concrete production. This is because sand needs to be dried and carefully sampled before
analysis. Research comparing the grading of natural sands found that using a digital method (Sika Sand App) was less accurate than sieve analysis. This is due to inaccuracies assessing the finer fraction, which require more analytical methods such
as laser diffractometry. 
PARTICLE SHAPE Particle shape of fine aggregate influences packing efficiency that affects water demand of fresh concrete and ultimately cement content. Rounder particles tend to pack better and tests such as loose bulk density or
the NZ sand flow test can assess particle shape quite accurately. A more direct approach of shape analysis is to use digital techniques, but this requires sampling and dispersal of relatively small samples and also camera resolution down to less than
a millimetre.
Figure 3 shows the results of several natural sands assessed for particle shape using the NZ sand flow test and compared with digital image analysis where the average particle sphericity was determined (Sika Sand App). This shows that improving particle
shape (i.e., higher sphericity values) had better sand flow values (i.e., lower flow time and voids content).
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images4/fig15_.png" style="width: 100%;" /> 


Figure 3: Sand flow test results versus sphericity measurements.

CLEANNESS/DELETERIOUS FINES The presence of ultra-fine particles in sand, such as silt or clay, have a significant effect on concrete properties (e.g., increased water demand, reduced bleed, delay in setting and possibly reduced
strength). Standard techniques such as sand equivalent or silt testing are relatively easy and inexpensive to perform in the laboratory. Interpretation of these tests is however complicated when using manufactured sand since some ultra-fines, such
as rock flour, have little deleterious effect on concrete properties.

The recently developed Sika PCE slurry test that assesses the influence of aggregate adsorption and deleterious micro-fines found in some natural and manufactured sands. The technique is shown schematically in Figure 4 and compares changes in mini-slump
flow readings for cementitious slurries with or without pre-soaking in a sample of the fine aggregate and with or without filtering. Comparison with the initial reference reading allows quick analysis based on guidelines developed by Sika R&D.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images4/fig16_.png" style="width: 100%;" /> 

Figure 4: PCE slurry test methodology developed by Sika.
RECOMMENDATIONS Concrete mixes require extra cementitious material to compensate for poor quality aggregates, especially when sand quality is compromised. Figure 5 shows how this quality assurance can be undertaken when monitoring
natural and manufactured sands used in concrete production. This outlines a hierarchy of testing from regular production control tests to specialist techniques.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images4/fig17_.png" style="width: 100%;" /> 

Figure 5: Recommendation for an integrated assessment of fine aggregates.
Optimisation of materials can be achieved using simple quality assurance techniques that measure material inputs that relate to concrete performance. New techniques have been developed that may allow more rapid assessment of sand quality and help improve
material efficiencies in practice. This should allow savings in terms of material costs and embodied energy and carbon content of structural concrete.

Article based on James Mackechnie’s 2023 Concrete NZ conference paper <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/conf/2023/s3_p2.pdf" target="_blank">Sand Quality Contribution In Producing Low Carbon Concrete,</a> which won the Sandy Cormack Best paper Award.]]></description>
<category>Readymix</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jan 2024 21:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chief Executive's Upfront Industry's Brief to Incoming Ministers</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/659884/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/659884/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[With the recent change in Government Concrete NZ distributed a Briefing to Incoming Ministers (BIM) which outlined key policy matters that Ministers overseeing portfolios pertinent to the concrete industry should address promptly during their initial period in office.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/rob_gaimster.jpg" /> 
Rob Gaimster, Chief Executive
The BIM was an introductory briefing, with more in-depth discussion sought via in-person meetings with Ministers and their officials.
Concrete NZ conveyed a desire for governmental backing to realize several objectives, which the BIM categorized into three overarching themes: reducing emissions, exploring innovative applications of concrete in road construction, and addressing regulatory obligations.
1: WORK WITH INDUSTRY TO IMPLEMENT NET ZERO CARBON 2050 ROADMAP For low-carbon concrete to become widely adopted, Concrete NZ recommended that government create explicit requirements for the use of low-carbon concrete in government-procured
infrastructure and buildings, and formally recognise related savings in CO2 emissions and whole-of-life cost through government guidance.
This would give certainty to industry that this is the correct pathway for cement manufacturers to take. It would also require amendments to building codes, standards, certifications, other incentives. A range of policies to help create and educate the
market, and policies for information disclosure, and certification for quality would need to be drafted.
Under this theme, Concrete NZ also urged government to formalise the recognition of the ability of exposed concrete to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide (a natural process called carbon uptake), which has been formally recognised by the UN Intergovernmental
Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). 
The New Zealand Emissions Reduction Plan and related emissions budgets should take account of carbon uptake in concrete. This would help building and infrastructure owners to account for the CO2 that exposed concrete absorbs over time, e.g., as part of
their asset management to achieve Green Star and/or other lower-carbon recognition schemes. 
The concrete industry’s need for a clear regulatory framework for the use and recognition of carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) was also articulated. The energy sector is leading work in this area, and Concrete NZ supports their efforts to
create an environment where CCUS is part of a suite of measures to reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, effectively and affordably.
2: INNOVATIVE USE OF CONCRETE IN ROADING The Concrete NZ BIM expressed industry wish to work with government to pilot concrete road pavements (i.e., the rigid surface layer of a road that is in direct contact with vehicle tyres)
in New Zealand.
Currently the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi prefers asphalt for road surface construction, and we presume this stems from a lack of expertise in the use of concrete. 
Industry sees an opportunity for concrete as a more resilient and durable material that would not require anywhere near the same level of repairs and maintenance or cause as many potholes. This pilot could take the form of a section of a new Road of National
Significance. 
Approximately half of roading in the US is made of concrete, which by itself demonstrates a business case for concrete. Having two broad categories of pavement type also strengthens competition between roading contractors and providers. 
At the same time concrete roads absorb atmospheric CO2, hence they are lower-carbon, cheaper and more resilient over whole of life, which extend far beyond Waka Kotahi’s modest aspirations for state highways.
Overseas modern examples of concrete roads, built in the right place, have proven to be resilient, strong, and reduce the cost of constant maintenance that other materials require. 
Industry partners are primed to bring in global expertise for such a pilot and to leverage their experience from around the world. 
Concrete NZ encourages officials to consider the resilience properties of concrete when procuring key infrastructure such as bridges, and take a materials-agnostic view for major transport projects. 
3: FIT-FOR-PURPOSE BUILDING REGULATORY SYSTEM
 The BIM emphasised the need for a Building Regulatory system that creates a level playing field for materials, so suppliers have certainty for future investments; that is, a Building Regulatory System that requires a full and equitable life-cycle
analysis for all structural materials.

The minimum building design life should be increased from 50 years to 100 years in the New Zealand Building Code. This better recognises the capability of concrete and associated structures to be resilient and stand the test of time. It would also enable
building owners to better account for the realistic costs of a building’s expected lifespan. 
The Standards system for building and construction is broken because of significant under investment over recent decades. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment presides over significant capital in a memorandum account which should be diverted
to fund the development and improvement of building and construction standards. This would require legislative change to redirect this funding.
Concrete NZ’s broad focus is to work towards optimising a resilient built environment that benefits all New Zealanders.
The concrete industry shares the new National-led Government's ambition to build a strong, resilient New Zealand that is fit for the future, and looks forward to working together to ensure New Zealand has quality infrastructure and housing, which will be key to economic success and enhanced wellbeing.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images4/who_are_we1.png" /> ]]></description>
<category>Upfront</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 7 Dec 2023 21:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chief Executive's Upfront Concrete Actions Moving Forward</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/658620/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/658620/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Having emerged from the global pandemic the New Zealand construction sector has had to grapple with a slowing economy over the past 12-months. Yet despite this challenge industry remained focused on concrete action – specifically our commitment to supply
quality product and our drive to become net zero carbon by 2050.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/rob_gaimster.jpg" /> 
Rob Gaimster, Chief Executive
New Zealand’s post-pandemic economy felt the sting in COVID-19’s tail, with a period of recession bringing stubborn inflation and rising interest rates. Although coming off historic highs and still ‘healthy’ in terms of volumes, the default construction
industry metrics of ready mixed concrete production showed a southwards trajectory across all regions and metropolitan areas.
In the September 2023 quarter, the actual volume of ready-mixed concrete produced was down 10 percent compared with the September 2022 quarter, while in the year ended September 2023 production was down 11 percent compared with the 12-months prior.
A softening in the residential construction space is largely responsible for the drop-off in concrete production, as the volume of work falling throughout the year. With the number of new homes consented in the year ended September 2023 down 20 percent
compared with the year ended September 2022, this trend looks set to continue. 
Non-residential work fared better, with small percentage increases in volume and value put-in-place recorded. However, the number of non-residential consents declined, hinting tight credit conditions and high interest rates dampened confidence.
Despite these difficult conditions it was pleasing to see that the concrete industry remained focussed on the twin imperatives of delivering quality product while at the same time making real progress along the decarbonisation path.
QUALITY CONCRETE
 Continually improved during 2023, Concrete NZ’s Precast Certification and ready mixed concrete Plant Audit Schemes continued to be an important part of industry operations, with both offering purchasers and specifiers a cost-effective and
rigorous assurance that supplied products meet exacting standards.
Initial work commenced to look at aligning the two Schemes in terms of performance management systems and branding. Ensuring that the Plant Audit Scheme remains current with technology were updates to documentation that catered for new in-transit slump
management systems
Seeking to maintain a profile and level of appreciation amongst construction sector stakeholders, Concrete NZ continued to promote both the Precast Certification Scheme and the Plant Audit Scheme in trade media and at several events, including the SESOC
conference in Christchurch during June 2023.
It was pleasing to see that the concrete sections of Masterspec’s (New Zealand's largest cloud-based specification writing platform) were revised and issued with new requirements which specify that ready mixed concrete must be supplied from plants that
hold a current Certificate through the Plant Audit Scheme.
NET-ZERO CARBON
 The past 12-months also saw the development of the New Zealand concrete industry’s 2050 roadmap to net zero carbon, which represents a collective effort - combining the expertise, ingenuity, and commitment of the concrete industry and wider
construction sector - to meeting our environmental responsibilities.
The roadmap builds on global cement and concrete industry progress, recognised by the United Nations, to achieve net zero carbon emissions. The New Zealand industry has already started its decarbonisation journey, but the roadmap formalises the collective
ambition to, amongst other targets, reduce emissions by 400,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum by 2030
By identifying seven decarbonisation ‘levers’, such as increasing the use of alternative fuels in cement manufacture as well as the increased uptake of mineral additions and low carbon materials to replace cement, the roadmap describes an achievable pathway
to producing net-zero concrete by 2050 that works for our industry in New Zealand.
Although the roadmap was guided by international experience, we have demonstrated our depth of thinking and belief in achieving the primary objective by being the first country/region to include Scope 3 emissions – those from others in the value chain,
excluding energy.
Equipped with the roadmap, Concrete NZ will move forward to foster a broader, validated understanding and appreciation among key audiences of the steps being taken to decarbonise, and the calculable benefits of concrete to help New Zealand achieve its
emissions reduction goals.
ASSOCIATION ACTIVITY 
Also worth highlighting is that the Concrete NZ conference, held in Hamilton during September 2023, attracted record delegate numbers as well as sponsorship support.
A key part of business as usual activities, the conference was a clear demonstration of the role Concrete NZ plays in bringing together all areas of the concrete industry and connecting them with the wider construction sector.
Concrete NZ also reconnected with industry following pandemic disruption via its training programme, with the always popular 3-day Concrete Technician’s Course and our project management of the BRANZ ArchEngBuild challenge being highlights.
Amongst a crowded project schedule in 2023, our push continued to raise awareness of concrete roads as a durable, safe, economic and environmentally friendly alternative to asphalt-surfaced, flexible pavement roads.
FUTURE CONSTRUCTION 
Our work in the concrete road space aligns well with the new National-led Government’s strong focus on infrastructure, including its plans for a National Infrastructure Agency to coordinate government funding, connect domestic and offshore
investors with New Zealand infrastructure, and improve funding, procurement and delivery.
Concrete NZ will be urging Chris Bishop and Simeon Brown, the new Ministers of Infrastructure and Transport respectively, to establish a pilot concrete road project, possibly a section of a new Road of National Significance. 
This will be a positive step in positioning New Zealand along-side international approaches to roading investment, which have taken advantage of concrete’s resiliency, strength and low maintenance benefits for decades. 
Concrete NZ will also be calling for explicit requirements for the use of low-carbon concrete in government-procured infrastructure and buildings, along with an overhaul of the Building Regulatory System to create a level playing field for building materials.
This more equitable environment will be based on full life-cycle analysis, increasing the minimum building design life from 50 to 100 years in the Building Code, and investing in construction Standards.
Although industry endured significant disruption over recent years, and there are many residual challenges, optimism pervades as we have a well-defined net zero carbon objective and a series of opportunities under a new Government for low carbon concrete
to assist New Zealand achieve its climate resilience ambitions.
From <a href="https://contrafed.co.nz">Contractor Perspectives 2024</a>]]></description>
<category>Upfront</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chief Executive's Upfront New Government - Focus On Resilient Infrastructure </title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/656632/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/656632/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Thank you to everyone who attended our recent conference at Claudelands. It was an outstanding success with fantastic feedback from attendees, particularly on the technical programme, which included international and local speakers covering topics relating
to concrete construction, design and materials.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/rob_gaimster.jpg" /> 
Rob Gaimster, Chief Executive
 I also extend our gratitude to all the conference Patrons and Sponsors, along with those who took trade stands - your support is greatly appreciated.
 We are already looking forward to next year, when the Concrete NZ Learned Society is hosting the <a href="https://confer.co.nz/fib2024/" target="_blank">fib Symposium</a> at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre 11-13 November. The Symposium is an annual international event that facilitates the dissemination of
research and practice across concrete and innovative materials, structural performance & design, construction methods & management, as well as outstanding structures.
Titled ReConStruct - Resilient Concrete Structures, the Symposium will focus on the seismic designs and innovative construction technologies implemented in the Christchurch rebuilt. Sustainability will also be a key theme of the Symposium, with the New
Zealand concrete industry having just released its <a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/page/2050_roadmap" target="_blank">2050 Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon</a>. The event will be followed by a one-day Concrete NZ conference on 14 November in the same Te Pae space.
At the time of writing, we are awaiting the makeup of the new Government, following an election that clearly signalled New Zealanders' appetite for change. The incoming National-led administration has outlined a strong focus on infrastructure, with plans
for a National Infrastructure Agency to coordinate government funding, connect domestic and offshore investors with New Zealand infrastructure, and improve funding, procurement and delivery. National has promised:
<ul><li>Innovative funding and financing tools to boost investment in infrastructure, and create investment opportunities for ACC, the NZ Super Fund and KiwiSaver funds.</li>
<li>National, city and regional deals to partner with local Government to create long-term pipelines of regional projects.</li>
<li>A fast-track consents process to make it easier to build the infrastructure New Zealand needs for the future.</li>
<li>A 30-year infrastructure pipeline to deliver long-term certainty, enable more effective planning, and reduce project costs.</li>
</ul>
Regarding infrastructure, the 2023 <a href="https://www.futureroads.co.nz/" target="_blank">Future Roads</a> conference takes place in Hamilton next week. This is an important event in the context of the change of Government, offering the New Zealand roading sector a forum for strategy, discussion and execution.
As a Gold sponsor, Concrete NZ will be promoting the benefits of concrete roads – a key way to bring longevity and resilience to our transport network and avoid the huge number of potholes we’re seeing!
As we progress through coming weeks and the newly formed Government settles in, Concrete NZ will be delivering a Briefing for Incoming Ministers that highlights key opportunities and challenges for the construction and infrastructure sectors, as well
as stating how the concrete industry can help achieve policy objectives. I will be sure to share this with members as soon as possible.
 In the meantime, we hope the last few weeks in the lead-up to Christmas are as productive as possible, following what has been a huge year.]]></description>
<category>Upfront</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Oct 2023 03:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Sue Freitag Acknowledged with Outstanding Contribution Award for Industry Service</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655091/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655091/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In recognition of an exceptional and sustained involvement to the advancement of the Aotearoa New Zealand concrete industry, Sue Freitag of WSP was presented with an Outstanding Contribution Award at the September 2023 Concrete NZ conference in Hamilton.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/13_10_-_1.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Sue Freitag graciously acknowledges those that offered assistance throughout her career.
As part of the concrete industry’s revised awards structure, overseen by Concrete NZ, the peer-nominated award celebrates those who have contributed meaningfully to making a difference in the field of concrete materials, design, construction, research
and/or administration. 
Amongst an extensive résumé, Sue’s participation in Standards development has been particularly significant, with NZS 3104 Specification for Concrete Production and NZS 3121 Water and Aggregate for Concrete, along with many others, benefitting
from Sue’s analytical mind and eye for detail. 
Sue’s expertise is in the field of concrete durability, and she is an international specialist in the effects of alkali silica reaction (ASR) on concrete. In the 1980’s Sue was instrumental in carrying out the first surveys of New Zealand structures affected
by ASR and was on the original committee that developed TR3 Alkali Silica Reaction: Minimising the Risk of Damage to Concrete: Guidance Notes and Recommended Practice.
Always modest, Sue herself acknowledges Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Industrial Research Limited (IRL) cement experts who undertook much of the scientific work that is the foundation of ASR (and now pozzolan) knowledge in
New Zealand.
Sue also salutes the concrete experts who welcomed her into Standards New Zealand, RILEM and Concrete Institute of Australia technical groups and committees, so that she could ensure their documents address the needs of New Zealand designers.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/13_10-_2_.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Sue Freitag receives her Outstanding Contribution Award from Concrete NZ chair Dene Cook.
<hr />
2023 Conference Awards
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655091/">Outstanding Contribution Award</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654959/">Conference Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654411/">Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654516/">Plant Audit Scheme Excellence Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655197/">Learned Society Concrete Student Prizes</a></li>
</ul>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Oct 2023 03:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Concrete NZ's 2023 Conference Awards Recognise Members' Outstanding Achievements</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654959/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654959/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Concrete NZ’s Conference Awards, held during the 2023 Conference at Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton, acknowledged a range of notable individuals and teams from across the concrete industry for their technical excellence, as well as professionalism, patience and “people-first” attitude. 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/simon.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Simon McKinney, stand up character impressionist, entertained the audience as awards MC.
Success in terms of diversity & inclusion, health, safety & wellbeing, along with carbon reduction was also celebrated.
The 2023 Conference Awards saw Concrete NZ's new awards framework, designed to enhance opportunities for celebrating achievements in the concrete industry, enter its second year.
The Conference Awards remain part of the established annual Concrete NZ conference formal dinner, and are primarily inward facing, appealing to Concrete NZ members across all the Sector Groups and the Learned Society.
Technical Excellence Award 
Firth Industries for the Central Interceptor Low Viscosity Annulus Grout Supply
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/02.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 57%;" /> Central Interceptor waste water tunnel, Auckland.
This award is given in recognition of a producer’s involvement in a project or initiative which calls for innovative solutions to meet a challenging architectural vision or engineering requirement.
Firth Industries worked with the Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture team to deliver the Lyon Avenue Caisson Wall, a critical project element of the Central Interceptor. The caisson stands 39 metres high and weighs approximately 1,000 tonnes.
The challenge was to design and place a grout to fill the 70mm annulus gap left behind by the cutting shoe, joining the external wall of the caisson with the ground to hold up the weight of the concrete.
Subject to rigorous testing, the specialized grout, with an ultra-low viscosity, required a 28-day characteristic compressive strength of 40MPa and had to remain fluid for over 50 hours. 
The judges appreciated that these characteristics were crucial to the grouting process, which through careful planning and execution overcame many challenges.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award1.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> John Boules of Firth Industries receives the Producer Technical Excellence Award from Rob Green.
Technical Excellence Award - Highly Commended 
Hynds Pipe Systems for Central Interceptor High Performance Jacking Pipe Supply 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/03.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> High performance jacking pipe supply for Central Interceptor, Auckland.
The Central Interceptor is one of the largest wastewater projects in New Zealand. The $1.2 billion tunnel runs underground from Grey Lynn to Watercare’s Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant, reducing wastewater overflows into central Auckland waterways.
The project includes 14.7 kilometres of 4.5 metre diameter tunnel, two link sewers totalling 4.3 km, as well as 18 shafts, a major pump station and substantial wastewater management and network infrastructure works.
Hynds was successful in tendering for the manufacture and supply of high-performance hybrid jacking pipes and inter-jack sets for the link sewers. The judges acknowledge the significant innovation and commitment required before and throughout the project.

<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award2.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Americo dos Santos of Hynds Pipe Systems receives the Producer Technical Excellence Highly Commended Award from Rob Green.
Extra Distance Award 
Higgins Concrete for the Turitea Wind Farm, Tararua Ranges near Palmerston North 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/04.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Turitea Wind Farm is a 222-megawatt wind farm near Turitea, Palmerston North.
Consented back in 2011, the Turitea Wind Farm is New Zealand’s largest and consists of 60 wind turbines, each standing 125 metres high. Managing pandemic disruption, extreme weather and difficult access, the mix and sustainability requirements of the
project were met via Higgins' on-site batching plants.
Following the completion of the North Stage, the first plant had to be disestablished and removed from site. Protracted earthworks along with planning obstacles, meant Higgins had to establish a second, temporary batching plant at the South Stage, which
after certification went on to supply concrete in a challenging environment to the project's completion.
The judges admired the tenacious endeavour of Higgins Concrete in adapting to and overcoming multiple obstacles over an extended period of time to get the job done. 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award3.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Mike Botherway and Scott Ferguson of Higgins Concrete receive the Producer Extra Distance Award from Rob Green.
Extra Distance Award - Highly Commended 
Allied Concrete (Fulton Hogan & Taylor Contracting JV) for the Waimea Community Dam 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/05.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Waimea Community Dam, Lee Valley, Nelson.
The Waimea Community Dam is the largest dam built in New Zealand in over 20 years. At 53 metres high and 220 metres long, the concrete-face rockfill dam required more than 32 thousand cubic metres of concrete from October 2019 to August 2023 – all in
line with a strict and demanding specification.
Concrete was supplied to the remote site for multiple purposes, including shotcrete for stabilisation purposes, as well as for the starter dam, culverts, plinths, up-stream face and spillway. Accurate heat of hydration analysis was critical, as was extensive
testing and modelling.
Amongst many features, the judges were impressed with the approach taken to address the project’s complex carbon footprint reduction specification. This involved cement replacement – with an estimated 30 percent of cement substituted for fly ash - as
well as native bush protection and comprehensive recycling.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award4.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Nasser Almesfer of Allied Concrete receives the Producer Extra Distance Award - Highly Commended from Rob Green.
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Achievement Award 
Higgins Concrete for its Golden Rules Programme 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/06.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 63%;" /> Higgins'Concrete's Golden Rules Programme.
This award category acknowledges organisations and individuals that have demonstrated innovation and leadership in helping to improve health, safety and wellbeing in the concrete industry.
In 2020, after a period of less that acceptable performance in safety data, Higgins Concrete embarked on a strategy designed to lift and substantially improve the health and safety performance of the business.
Following employee feedback on current procedures and processes the simple but effective statement - Start Safe, Stay Safe, Home Safe - led to the development of nine Golden Rules that set the evolving safety parameters for all staff.
Higgins Concrete’s ongoing commitment to health, safety and wellbeing has resulted in a seismic shift in culture, engagement, understanding and improvement.
This is evidenced by “the numbers”, which the judges couldn’t ignore, and that include significant reductions in a range of key metrics acknowledged by ACC and WorkSafe New Zealand.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award7.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 396%;" /> Mike Botherway of Higgins Concrete receives the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Achievement Award from Rob Gaimster.
Diversity & Inclusion Award Allied Concrete - Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/07.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 105%;" /> Allied Concrete's “Get a Haircut” campaign.
This award acknowledges organisations and individuals that have made a genuine commitment to advancing their culture by embracing:
<ul>
<li>Diversity as the presence of difference within a given setting; and</li>
<li>Inclusion, which relates to individuals with different identities feeling and being valued within that setting.</li>
</ul>
As part of the HWR Group, Allied Concrete considers itself a leader in term of integrating diversity and inclusion across all aspects of the business, believing that it is their people that make the difference as they are the ones who “keep the wheels
turning”.

HWR is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand, which as a partnership between the private and public sectors helps drive diversity and inclusion as a tool for better outcomes.
Allied Concrete actively takes part in Mental Health Awareness Week, encouraging staff to connect with their colleagues and explore the Mental Health Foundation’s Five Ways to Wellbeing in the Workplace.
Amongst a range of factors, the judges were struck by Allied Concrete's “Get a Haircut” campaign to help recruitment in a competitive market, appreciating the use of hair as a metaphor to say, ‘whoever you are, we want you just the way you are’.
Ella’s Story also resonated as a “real-life” example of Allied Concrete’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award5.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Bob Officer of Allied Concrete receives the Diversity & Inclusion Award from Rob Gaimster.
Diversity & Inclusion Award - Highly Commended ITW Construction for their Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/08.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> ITW Construction Asia Pacific commitment to diversity & inclusion spans a range of companies.
Ramset, Reid and Danley are part of the ITW Construction Asia Pacific family, who have built success around teams which are diverse and feel a strong sense of belonging.
ITW has adopted a holistic approach to diversity and inclusion, making small, impactful actions that deliver sustainable results for their people, across different areas of the business.
ITW are committed to attracting, and developing a representative workforce and breaking down barriers to create a culture where belonging and inclusion is at the heart of everything they do.
The judges acknowledged ITW's all-inclusive focus on diversity and inclusion, which has seen them promote inclusive leadership, establish Employee Resource Groups to embed a culture of inclusion, as well as support cultural days and encourage employee
community engagement. 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award6.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Cameron Gilmour of ITW Construction Asia Pacific receives the Diversity & Inclusion Award - Highly Commended from Rob Gaimster.
Carbon Reduction Award 
Holcim New Zealand for its Low Carbon Cement Replacement Facility & Verified Carbon Model 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/09.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 93%;" /> Holcim New Zealand's low carbon cement replacement facility, Ports of Auckland.
The Carbon Reduction Award acknowledges those organisations that have undertaken initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint, and in turn help the concrete industry achieve its 2030 and 2050 targets.
Holcim New Zealand recently opened a new low-carbon cement replacement facility at the Ports of Auckland, which will enable the reduction of embodied carbon from the construction of our built environment.
Complementing this development, Holcim can now also provide project-specific, on-demand Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), a service that represents a significant step in the company's sustainability journey.
In short, the new Port facility in Auckland enables Holcim to offer customised low carbon products and solutions, backed-up by a verified carbon model that provides certified EPDs.
The judges noted that Holcim’s recent achievements are hugely important steps on the New Zealand concrete industry’s decarbonisation pathway to net-zero carbon by 2050.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award8.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Cyril Giraud of Holcim New Zealand receives the Carbon Reduction Award from Rob Gaimster.
Carbon Reduction Award - Highly Commended 
Golden Bay for its Carbon Reduction at Scale from Deconstruction and Energy Generation Waste 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/10.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> Golden Bay's carbon reduction at scale from deconstruction waste.
Golden Bay is looking at all aspects of its business to shape a circular future by diverting wood waste from landfill to utilise as fuel - replacing 28 percent of coal to make their EcoSure cement.
Golden Bay have also partnered with Genesis Energy to solve their bottom ash (from electricity generation) waste stream issue. Traditionally taken to landfill, this pond ash will now be incorporated into Golden Bay’s cement as an alternative raw material,
assisting with product performance.
The judges applauded Golden Bay’s unwavering progress in this space, and that it remains on track with its world leading plan to displace 100 percent of fossil fuels with more circular waste, and in turn decarbonise their operation and products to achieve
a 30 percent carbon reduction by 2030. 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/award9.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 67%;" /> David Welsh of Golden Bay receives the Carbon Reduction Award - Highly Commended from Rob Gaimster.
<hr />
2023 Conference Awards
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655091/">Outstanding Contribution Award</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654959/">Conference Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654411/">Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654516/">Plant Audit Scheme Excellence Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655197/">Learned Society Concrete Student Prizes</a></li>
</ul>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Oct 2023 01:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Plant Audit Scheme Gold Awards Presented For 10+ Years of Excellence</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654516/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654516/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Congratulations to Allied Concrete’s Horotiu, Tauranga, Alexandra, Nelson, Wanaka, Washdyke, Christchurch North and Setters Line plants for either maintaining or securing Gold status in the 2023 Concrete NZ Plant Audit Scheme Excellence Awards.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/23_pas_allied.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Allied concrete's Technical Team receives a number of Gold Awards from Concrete NZ Honorary Life member Rob Green.
Firth Industries' Aotea Quay plant and Terry’s Concrete Te Horo plant also reached the top-step of the podium, accompanied by Atlas Concrete’s Takapuna and Wiri plants. 
The Scheme, which provides an independent audit of around 200 ready mixed concrete plants, now operates a Gold, Silver and Bronze acknowledgement system as a simpler, more transparent way to reward excellence. 
To receive an annual Excellence certificate a plant must not have received any corrective actions nor have its testing requirements questioned under the Scheme. 
Plants that have demonstrated 3+ years of continuous Excellence are recognised as Bronze, those with 5+ years as Silver, and those with 10+ years as Gold. 
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/23_pas_atlas.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Dave Russell and Sabina Sekerovic of Atlas Concrete receive their Gold Awards from Rob Green.
GOLD STATUS
<ul>
<li>Allied Concrete's Horotiu - Zone 4</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Tauranga - Zone 4</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Limited Alexandra - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Limited Nelson - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Limited Wanaka - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Limited Washdyke (Timaru) - Zone 1</li>
<li>AML Limited's Christchurch North - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Setters Line, Palmerston North - Zone 2</li>
<li>Firth Industries' Aotea Quay - Zone 2</li>
<li>Terry’s Concrete's Limited Te Horo - Zone 2</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Penrose - Zone 3</li>
<li>Atlas Concrete's Limited Takapuna - Zone 3</li>
<li>Atlas Concrete's Limited Wiri - Zone 3</li>
</ul>
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/23_pas_terry.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Terry Whiteman of terry's Concrete receives a Gold Award from Rob Green.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/23_pas_firth.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Alistair Bennett of Firth Industries receives a Gold Award from Rob Green.
SILVER STATUS
<ul>
<li>Allied Concrete's Cambridge - Zone 4</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Matamata - Zone 4</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Taupo - Zone 4</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Whakatane - Zone 4</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Whitianga - Zone 4</li>
<li>Bowers Brothers Concrete Limited's Hamilton - Zone 4</li>
<li>Bowers Brothers Concrete Limited's Matamata - Zone 4</li>
<li>Bowers Brothers Concrete Limited's Putaruru - Zone 4</li>
<li>Allied Concrete Limited's Ashburton - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete Limited's Cromwell - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete Limited's Gore - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Queenstown Concrete Limited's Frankton, Queenstown - Zone 1</li>
<li>Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete Limited's Belfast No. 1 - Zone 1</li>
<li>Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete Limited's Belfast No. 2 - Zone 1</li>
<li>Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete Limited's Rolleston - Zone 1</li>
<li>Cromwell Certified Concrete Limited's Cromwell - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Gisborne - Zone 2</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's New Plymouth - Zone 2</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Ohau - Zone 2</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Wanganui - Zone 2</li>
<li>PERTH Concrete Limited's Wanganui - Zone 2</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Avondale - Zone 3</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Bombay - Zone 3</li>
<li>Atlas Concrete Limited's Kumeu - Zone 3</li>
<li>Atlas Concrete Limited's Panmure - Zone 3</li>
<li>Atlas Concrete Limited's Silverdale - Zone 3</li>
<li>Atlas Concrete Limited's Warkworth - Zone 3</li>
<li>Formstress Precast Limited's Waiuku - Zone 3</li>
</ul>
BRONZE STATUS
<ul>
<li>Bowers Brothers Concrete Limited 's Morrinsville - Zone 4</li>
<li>Allied Concrete Limited's Greymouth (South Beach) - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete Limited's Renwick - Zone 1</li>
<li>McGregor Concrete Limited's Te Anau - Zone 1</li>
<li>Allied Concrete's Upper Hutt - Zone 2</li>
<li>Firth Industries' Belmont - Zone 2</li>
<li>Higgins Concrete Limited's Otaki - Zone 2</li>
<li>Higgins Concrete Limited's Porirua - Zone 2</li>
<li>Higgins Concrete Limited's Wellington - Zone 2</li>
<li>Duracrete Products Limited's Kauri - Zone 3</li>
</ul>
Concrete NZ chief executive, Rob Gaimster, applauds the 2023 Gold, Silver and Bronze status recipients for their dedicated focus on producing quality assured ready mixed concrete. 
 “Concrete NZ’s Plant Audit Scheme remains the construction sector benchmark for producers to show that their output meets required obligations as set out in NZS 3104 Specification for Concrete Production,” says Rob. 
 “Maintaining excellence for 10 consecutive years or more is a tremendous achievement for all thirteen plants. 
 “It is fantastic to see Allied Concrete and Atlas Concrete increase the number of plants securing Gold status, and well done to Firth Industries and Terry's Concrete for sustaining Gold status. 
 “I look forward to seeing a number of the Silver plants continue their commitment to quality and achieve Gold status in 2024.” 
<hr />
2023 Conference Awards
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655091/">Outstanding Contribution Award</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654959/">Conference Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654411/">Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654516/">Plant Audit Scheme Excellence Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655197/">Learned Society Concrete Student Prizes</a></li>
</ul>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 6 Oct 2023 00:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Growth Mindset Helps Precast Apprentice Take Home 2023 Concrete Industry Award</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654411/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654411/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Franklin South Auckland apprentice Caleb Van De Westerlo, of Waiuku based Formstress Precast, has won the 2023 Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year award.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/aoy_2023c.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Dene Cook (Concrete NZ), Caleb Van De Westerlo (Formstress) and Greg Durkin (BCITO | Te Pūkenga).
After completing his OE Caleb returned to Aotearoa in 2018 to start an apprenticeship with Formstress, progressing quickly after he approached manager and mentor Greg Johnston seeking a structured programme of exposure to important aspects of the business.
Impressed by his ambition, Formstress put in place a plan that has ended with Caleb identified as a future leader. This pathway included positioning Caleb to fill the next available foreman position, rotating him through batching, quality assurance, dispatch
and precast manufacture, and also gaining a National Certificate in Precast Concrete Level Three and a New Zealand Certificate Concrete Specialist Level Four.
In fact, Caleb is the first person and the first of Māori descent to gain the new level 4 certificate.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/aoy_2023b.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
 Caleb Van De Westerlo along with the Formstress Precast team.
“This is the mindset with which Caleb completes all tasks. It is not enough to finish the course, he had to be first,” says Greg Johnston.
Caleb firmly believes that all Formstress employees would benefit from industry qualifications and has already helped four of his direct reports through their level three certificates. He himself is now being supported as a future senior manager and stands
in for the company’s operations manager as required.
“Showing the guys his own progression is important in motivating them to better themselves. Caleb understands that the mentoring he is receiving is an important part of his development, and he passes the same effort and time on to his staff,” says Greg.
Caleb says a growth mindset is the most important attribute for an apprentice. “You must understand mistakes will happen and accept these are all important lessons that will occur in the process. 
“You need to be able to set goals and have a clear vision for your future, not just at work but at home too. The days on site don’t get easier. You become better.”
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/aoy_2023a.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
 Caleb Van De Westerlo with his father Theo and partner Rachel.
Caleb says he would encourage others to consider being a tradie as a career option, as he has found it “really fulfilling and interesting.” Concrete NZ chief executive Rob Gaimster says apprentices with Caleb’s approach to challenges and setbacks are
vital to keep the industry innovating, improving, and becoming more efficient at a site level. 
“Caleb’s swift progression within Formstress and bright future shows there are great prospects and supportive workplaces that enable energetic young people to get ahead in the concrete industry.
“There are real opportunities to make a difference and secure a rewarding future that don’t necessarily depend on a university degree.”
Director Greg Durkin, BCITO | Te Pūkenga reflected that, “Since its inception in 2016, the Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year award has proved its worth as an important tool to celebrate apprentice success, the importance of trade training and the
value of employer and family support.” 
“Caleb’s achievement is impressive. We salute his accomplishments in this highly skilled and technical trade, and also his leadership as a successful tradesperson. Ka mau te wehi | how fantastic Caleb!”
The award was open to all those enrolled in, or who had recently completed, one of the BCITO | Te Pūkenga concrete apprenticeships.
The Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year award was made possible thanks to major sponsors Concrete NZ and BCITO | Te Pūkenga.
<hr />
2023 Conference Awards
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655091/">Outstanding Contribution Award</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654959/">Conference Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654411/">Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654516/">Plant Audit Scheme Excellence Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655197/">Learned Society Concrete Student Prizes</a></li>
</ul>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 5 Oct 2023 03:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Talented Final Year Tertiary Students Recognised with Learned Society Concrete Prizes</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655197/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655197/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A trio of noteworthy final year tertiary students were acknowledged with the Learned Society’s Concrete Prizes in 2023, with Daniel Blunden from the University of Auckland receiving his award at the recent Concrete NZ Conference held in Hamilton.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/awards23_/daniel.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Daniel Blunden receives his award from Rick Henry.
Daniel’s research project focused on the geometric, mix, and structural design of a concrete canoe, with his recommendations including the use of a hybrid pumice and expanded glass mix as well as post tensioning.
Connor Rice from the University of Auckland's School of Architecture and Jesse Northcoat from the University of Canterbury were the other recipients.
Connor's research - Concrete Abstraction - looked at an adaptive re-use project of the Hotel Cargen, located at 10 Eden Crescent, Auckland City (1912-1913).
Jesse's research explored the feasibility of zeolite modified blended cement for 3D concrete printing as a sustainable alternative for the concrete construction industry.
The Concrete NZ Learned Society Concrete Prizes are available to students undertaking their final year of a relevant bachelor’s degree or a professional/taught master’s programme.
They are awarded to New Zealand based students, nominated by their tertiary education institute, who demonstrate excellence in their studies and who contribute to the following objectives of the Learned Society:

<ul>
<li>Advancing excellence in environmental, architectural and structural design and construction.</li>
<li>Networking within, and promotion of, the concrete industry.</li>
<li>Encouraging and recognising innovation in concrete.</li>
<li>Promoting the Learned Society.</li>
</ul>
The Learned Society congratulates Daniel, Connor and Jesse on their accomplishments, and wishes them all the very best in their future research endeavours and careers.
<hr />
2023 Conference Awards
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655091/">Outstanding Contribution Award</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654959/">Conference Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654411/">Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654516/">Plant Audit Scheme Excellence Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655197/">Learned Society Concrete Student Prizes</a></li>
</ul>]]></description>
<category>Learned Society</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 4 Oct 2023 04:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Conference 2023 at Claudelands in Hamilton Strikes the Right Note with Delegates and Supporters</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655195/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655195/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Building on the success of the 2022 pandemic delayed conference in Rotorua, the 2023 event in Hamilton again offered an opportunity to (re) connect with friends, and spend time discussing key developments in concrete materials, design, construction and research.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/mous_conf.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Moustafa Al-Ani, Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, welcomed delegates and supporters.
Over 400 delegates from Aotearoa New Zealand’s concrete industry and wider construction sector, supported by a strong contingent of exhibitors, gathered to knowledge share, network and enjoy a range of social activities.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/andy_conf.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Keynote speaker Andy Taylor from the University of Washington opened the first session with a summary of USA cement and concrete Standards development system.


Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, Moustafa Al-Ani, got proceedings underway by welcoming delegates and reflecting on how the diversity and depth of the technical programme echoes the complex and dynamic nature of the New Zealand construction
sector.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/romilly_conf.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Romilly Madew from Engineers Australia was one of three keynote speakers at conference.
The Technical Programme was headlined by three outstanding international construction experts - Andy Taylor from the University of Washington, Romilly Madew of Engineers Australia and Maria Juenger from the University of Texas - who travelled to New Zealand
to share their experiences and insights.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/maria_conf.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Maria Juenger from the University of Texas opened up the technical programme on the final day.
The 2023 Conference would not have been possible without the assistance of dedicated patrons, sponsors and industry supporters, who embraced the event with enthusiasm.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/spon_23.png" style="width: 100%;" />
In 2024 arrangements around conference will be slightly different from normal, with Concrete NZ's Learned Society hosting the fib (International Federation for Structural Concrete/Fédération Internationale du Béton) <a href="https://confer.co.nz/fib2024/"
target="_blank">Symposium</a> 11-13 November at Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch, which will be followed by a 1-day Concrete NZ conference at the same venue on 14 November. 
<a href="https://confer.co.nz/fib2024/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/fib_23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /></a> 
<hr />
2023 Conference Awards
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655091/">Outstanding Contribution Award</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654959/">Conference Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654411/">Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/654516/">Plant Audit Scheme Excellence Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/655197/">Learned Society Concrete Student Prizes</a></li>
</ul>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 3 Oct 2023 01:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>NZ Concrete Industry Launches 2050 Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/648250/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/648250/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Aotearoa New Zealand’s concrete industry has launched its roadmap to net zero carbon by 2050 - <a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_roadmap_concrete.pdf" target="_blank">A Net-Zero Carbon Concrete Industry for Aotearoa New Zealand: Roadmap to 2050</a>.
<a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_roadmap_concrete.pdf" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/roadmap_sm.png" style="width: 100%;" /></a>
Concrete New Zealand (NZ) chief executive Rob Gaimster says the publication of the <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_roadmap_concrete.pdf">roadmap</a> is a pivotal moment for the concrete industry and the country’s
built environment. 
 “We must provide adaptive solutions that address and help ease the impacts of climate change in a country that is also at risk of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. 
 “As well as contributing to our nation’s resilience, the concrete industry is committed to being part of efforts to mitigate climate change. 
 “This roadmap represents a collective effort, combining the expertise, ingenuity, and commitment of the concrete industry and wider construction sector, to meeting our environmental responsibilities. It builds on global cement and concrete industry progress
to achieve net zero carbon emissions which has been recognised by the United Nations.” 
Barbara Nebel, Chief Executive of thinkstep-anz, leading sustainability consultants responsible for developing the roadmap, applauds the concrete industry for its efforts. 
 “We have run a rigorous rule over the proposed strategies, so we could develop the roadmap as a realistic and achievable pathway forward. 
 “In fact, the industry has already started its decarbonisation journey, with an 11 percent reduction in CO2 emissions achieved between 2005 and 2018, even though ready mixed concrete use increased significantly during that time. 
 “Based on this roadmap, the Aotearoa New Zealand concrete industry can achieve a 44 percent decrease from 2020 levels by 2030, and ultimately net zero carbon by 2050.” 
Progress is clear, with low-carbon cement and concrete options available on the market for use across a range of residential, commercial and civil construction projects.

Fletcher Concrete Chief Executive, Nick Traber, believes the roadmap reflects the genuine direction of companies such as his. 
 “We are playing a key role in reducing emissions right from using alternative fuels and raw materials in cement manufacturing, to our low carbon supply chain and low carbon binder technology developed in our research lab focused on sustainable concrete solutions.” 
Chief Executive Officer of Holcim Australia & New Zealand, George Agriogiannis, feels that industry is walking the talk outlined in the roadmap after having invested significantly in researching and producing new lower-carbon products. 
 “We have also constructed a new low-carbon cement replacement facility at the Ports of Auckland. At peak operation the site is expected to enable replacement of just under 100,000 tonnes of Ordinary Portland Cement, which will substantially reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. Annually, this is the equivalent of removing approximately 78,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide."
Leader of the Building Innovation Partnership, Professor Larry Bellamy, whose team is working on strategies for reducing carbon emissions from buildings and communities, says: "Construction needs new approaches to enhance the resilience and sustainability
of building materials and structures. The roadmap is important because it identifies the research needed to help transform concrete for the benefit of New Zealand.”
<hr />
Media contact Ellie Martel Wright Communications <a href="mailto:ellie@wrightcommunications.co.nz?subject=Concrete%20Industry%202050%20Roadmap">ellie@wrightcommunications.co.nz</a>
 02041747226
 
Background The roadmap was funded by Concrete NZ, MBIE’s (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) Building Innovation Partnership (administered through the University of Canterbury), and BRANZ through the Building Research
Levy.

Strategies to help the industry reach its 2050 net zero carbon target include:
<ul>
<li>Increasing the use of waste as alternative fuels and raw materials to make cement clinker.</li>
<li>The increased use of Supplementary Cementitious Materials with low carbon recycled or natural materials.</li>
<li>Efficiencies in concrete production.</li>
<li>Carbon uptake, which sees exposed concrete absorb CO2.</li>
<li>Design and construction optimisation.</li>
<li>Further decarbonising New Zealand’s electricity grid and supply chains.</li>
<li>Capturing remaining CO2. </li>
</ul>
About Concrete NZ Concrete NZ is a highly respected and valued association, supporting industry to position concrete as the construction material of choice for a modern and resilient New Zealand. This will be achieved via a consolidated
voice that brings confidence, knowledge and leadership to members, industry and regulators. 
Through a pan-industry work programme Concrete NZ will strive to improve perceptions, raise standards and promote quality through its consolidated voice. Areas of activity will include regulatory advocacy, knowledge transfer and Standards development.

About the Building Innovation Partnership (BIP) The BIP is an industry-led research programme focussed on improving infrastructure planning, design, construction and management processes, and the development of engineering solutions
that improve the resilience and affordability of our built assets. we are based at University of Canterbury.
The BIP research and delivery programme supports the New Zealand building industry in becoming a world leader in applying digital methods to asset planning, design, construction and management, and for engineering solutions that improve the resilience and value
of buildings and horizontal infrastructure. 
This eight-year research programme (2018-2026) is based in the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury and supported by the Government Research Partnerships Scheme ($5 million) and industry ($7.5 million).

RESOURCES
<ul>
<li><a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_roadmap_concrete.pdf" target="_blank">A Net Zero Carbon Concrete Industry for Aotearoa New Zealand: Roadmap to 2050</a> [pdf roadmap]</li>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/page/2050_roadmap">Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon for Aotearoa New Zealand's Concrete Industry</a> [landing page]</li>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/page/roadmap_video">The Road to Net Zero Carbon Concrete</a> [animated video]</li>
</ul>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Aug 2023 01:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon for Aotearoa New Zealand's Concrete Industry</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/646675/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/646675/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[We are determined to reduce our industry’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2050, including a strong commitment to New Zealand's Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019, and its goal to ensure our country plays its part in reducing GHG emissions under the Paris Agreement.
<a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_roadmap_concrete.pdf" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/roadmap_sm.png" style="width: 100%;" /></a>
Our <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_roadmap_concrete.pdf" target="_blank">A Net-Zero Carbon Concrete Industry for Aotearoa New Zealand: Roadmap to 2050</a> sets out a plan for how we will do this and
play a major role in building the sustainable world of tomorrow. It describes an achievable pathway to producing net-zero concrete by 2050 that works for our industry in New Zealand.
MAPPING OUT THE ROAD AHEAD This roadmap covers both ready-mixed concrete and concrete products. It builds on past and current initiatives. It involves the major parties in the concrete value chain:
<ul>
<li>cement manufacturers</li>
<li>concrete producers</li>
<li>manufacturers of concrete products</li>
<li>designers of buildings and infrastructure</li>
<li>construction companies and contractors</li>
</ul>
To be successful in continuing to reduce our emissions, further R&D, investment and commitment from researchers, government and all stakeholders throughout the concrete value chain will be crucial.
This roadmap has been developed with support from sustainability firm thinkstep-anz through engagement with Concrete NZ’s member groups: Cement, Masonry, Precast, Readymix and Learned Society.
TARGETS FOR 2030 AND 2050 This roadmap identifies ways to reduce the direct (Scope 1) and electricity-related (Scope 2) GHG emissions from our industry by 44% from 2020 levels by 2030 (as described in the body of the roadmap).
The 2020 reference year was chosen to align with the Global Cement and Concrete Association’s (GCCA) <a href="https://gccassociation.org/concretefuture/" target="_blank">Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete</a>.
Our focus on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions aligns with the GCCA’s global roadmap and other national roadmaps. It also focuses on areas where our industry has direct influence.
Figure 1 illustrates Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in the cement and concrete manufacturing process. If indirect (Scope 3) emissions are included to align with an Environmental Product Declaration approach, this reduction is 29% by 2030 (see Annex B of
the roadmap).
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/roadmap_fig1.png" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Figure 1. Scope 1 and 2 emissions from producing cement and concrete.
HOW WE ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE THIS
The Impact of Portland Cement Manufacturing Portland cement releases CO2 directly through a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction is a major share of our industry’s total emissions.
WHERE OUR ACTIONS WILL MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE
Until 2030 - we will further reduce the emissions of cement through alternative fuels and increasing the use of mineral additions (e.g., ground limestone) and Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs). SCMs are typically mineral by-products
of industrial processes with lower embodied carbon than cement. New Zealand has some history of using SCMs, but there is scope for growth. 2023 will see greater volumes of SCMs entering the market.
Between 2030-2050 - we will focus on significant reductions in GHG emissions in cement manufacture and we are planning to use a technology known as CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage) to capture any remaining emissions. Further
CO
2 will be captured naturally by concrete as it ages, through a process called recarbonation - a carbon uptake mechanism.
OUR PATHWAY FOR DECARBONISATION The chart below shows the actions we expect to achieve net-zero GHG emissions from cement and concrete in New Zealand by 2050. 
In addition to clinker factor reduction, replacing some Portland cement with SCMs and carbon capture technologies, we expect improving efficiency in the design of buildings and infrastructure and in producing clinker to make the biggest differences. 
We also expect further small savings as the electricity grid continues to decarbonise.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/roadmap_fig2.png" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Figure 2. Decarbonisation roadmap of cement and concrete in Aotearoa New Zealand.
RESOURCES
<ul>
<li><a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_roadmap_concrete.pdf" target="_blank">A Net Zero Carbon Concrete Industry for Aotearoa New Zealand: Roadmap to 2050</a> [pdf roadmap]</li>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/648250/">NZ Concrete Industry Launches Its 2050 Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon</a> [media release]</li>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/page/roadmap_video">The Road to Net Zero Carbon Concrete</a> [animated video]</li>
</ul>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Aug 2023 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Entries Open for the 2023 Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/640386/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/640386/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Entries are open for the 2023 Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year award.
<a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/aoy/aoy23_guide_1.pdf" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/aoy23_1.png" style="width: 100%;" /></a>
Entrants will be in to win a share of around $10,000 in prizes and the sought-after title of 2023 Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year.
Concrete New Zealand (NZ) Chief Executive Rob Gaimster is thrilled to see the Award, which emphasises the importance and value of trade training within the concrete industry, gain momentum from its inception in 2017.
“The Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year award is at the heart of recognising young and talented individuals within our industry.
“Building and construction is a hugely important sector in New Zealand’s economy, one which offers many different concrete career paths.
“Apprentices who are committed to a concrete vocation, as well as their own personal and professional growth, deserve to be recognised for their foresight, mahi and accomplishments,” says Rob.
The award is open to all those currently enrolled in, or who have recently completed (after August 2022), one of the following BCITO Te Pūkenga concrete qualifications:
National Certificate
<ul>
<li>Precast Concrete (Level 3)</li>
<li>Concrete Production (Level 3)</li>
<li>Product Manufacture: Pipe (Level 3)</li>
<li>Product Manufacture: Masonry Product (Level 3)</li>
<li>Construction: Sawing & Drilling (Level 3)</li>
<li>Construction: Placing & Finishing (Level 3)</li>
<li>Concrete Construction (Level 4)</li>
</ul>
New Zealand Certificates
<ul>
<li>Concrete Construction Skills (Level 3)</li>
<li>Concrete Construction: Commercial and Civil (Level 4)</li>
<li>Concrete Specialist (Level 4)</li>
<li>Concrete Production (Level 4)</li>
</ul>
“It is an exciting time for the New Zealand concrete industry, as we continue to implement low carbon solutions on the road to becoming net zero carbon by 2050,” says Rob.
“We also pride ourselves on embracing diversity and inclusion, advancing health, safety and wellbeing as key to business success, and ensuring that those who excel are rewarded.
“Those evaluating their construction career options don't need to look beyond the concrete industry, as we are eager to bring them onboard, offer support and guidance, and as the Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year award demonstrates, celebrate their
achievements,” concludes Rob.
Concrete apprentices, their employers and assessors must all complete an entry form.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/aoy/2023_aoy_apprentice_form.pdf" target="_blank">Apprentice Form</a></li>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/aoy/2023_aoy_employer_form.pdf" target="_blank">Employer Form</a></li>
<li><a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/aoy/2023_aoy_assessor_form.pdf" target="_blank">Assessor Form</a></li>
</ul>
Download and complete the forms, then email to <a href="mailto:aoy@concretenz.org.nz?subject=2023%20Concrete%20Industry%20Apprentice%20of%20the%20Year">aoy@concretenz.org.nz</a>
Entries close Monday 10 July 2023.
The Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year Award is made possible thanks to principal sponsors - Concrete NZ and the BCITO Te Pūkenga - and will be presented at the Concrete NZ conference formal dinner on 29 September 2023 in Hamilton.
Download your guide to the 2023 Concrete Industry Apprentice of the Year Award below:
<a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/aoy/aoy23_guide_1.pdf" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/aoy/aoy_button.png" /></a>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 May 2023 00:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chief Executive's Upfront A Resilient, Low Carbon, Concrete Way Forward</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/637949/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/637949/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle there has been a lot of comment around the urgent need to plan and build resilient infrastructure, whether that be flood mitigation, electricity supply or roading networks.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/rob_gaimster.jpg" /> 
Rob Gaimster, Chief Executive
While there are many questions to be answered, there is no doubt that concrete will be a key part of the eventual answers, more so as industry pledges to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint as set out it the soon to be released Aotearoa New Zealand
Concrete and Cement Industry - Roadmap to Net-Zero Concrete 2050.
RESILIENT CONCRETE INFRASTRUCTURE 
Concrete’s overarching properties based around durability make it an asset in both mitigating and adapting to climate change. It forms part of wind farms, hydroelectric schemes and geothermal plants.
Concrete can also improve the resilience of buildings and communities through improved stormwater management, flood defences and many other forms of critical infrastructure, such as our state highways and local roads. 
Recent weather events have demonstrated that New Zealand requires a durable, long-term solution to mounting infrastructure woes. As part of a multi-pronged approach, the government must give serious consideration to building concrete roads, particularly
for our critical arterial routes.
During the first part of 2023, the condition of the country’s roads took up a lot of column inches and airtime minutes, as a plague of potholes saw frustration grow. The situation was exacerbated when periods of hot weather saw asphalt surfaces literally
come unstuck.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has indicated that one approach moving forward will be to relocate stretches of vulnerable roads to more stable ground. While re-routing roads is a legitimate tool to build a more resilient transport network, we must also
ensure that the materials it is built with are also resilient.
An increase in severe and medium-impact weather events will intensify the current problems, and given delays in upkeep, it is likely the problem will get worse before it gets better.

The level of maintenance work required to our asphalt road network is enormous. A situation that would have only been made more challenging by the closure of the Marsden Point oil refinery and subsequent questions around the bitumen supply chain.
The inherent durability of concrete roads would lessen this burden, a priority as the impact of climate change will make extreme weather events more frequent.
Vague concerns around access to buried services, skid resistance, surface noise and seismic resilience of concrete roads can all be accounted for through appropriate design, as demonstrated overseas.
The economics of concrete roads has been proven time and time again, with Infometrics having shown that in a preferred scenario concrete is around 30 percent less expensive than its asphalt counterpart.
The final tick in the plus column is for the sustainability credentials of concrete (including low carbon attributes) and industry commitment to decarbonise.
These are clearly articulated in the Aotearoa New Zealand Concrete and Cement Industry - Roadmap to Net-Zero Concrete 2050, set for publication mid-2023.
LOW CARBON CONCRETE INFRASTRUCTURE 
By describing an achievable pathway to producing net-zero concrete by 2050, the decarbonisation roadmap sets out a positive vision for how the New Zealand cement and concrete industry can play a major role in building a sustainable future.
Industry has already made progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An updated independent review of our efforts shows that the industry has reduced emissions from concrete production by 11 percent between 2005 and 2020, despite production
increasing by 11 percent during that same period.
This roadmap includes the levers (e.g., rapid uptake of supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag to replace cement) and milestones needed to achieve net-zero carbon concrete by mid-century.
It covers both ready mixed concrete and concrete products, and also involves the major participants in the concrete value chain, including cement manufacturers, concrete producers and designers of buildings and infrastructure.
Developed with support from sustainability firm thinkstep-anz and engagement with Concrete NZ’s member groups, the roadmap is also informed by, and aligned with, international work, such as the Global Cement & Concrete Association’s (GCCA) 2050
Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete.
Building on past and current initiatives, the concrete industry will look to remain successful in reducing its emissions by leveraging further R&D, investment and commitment from researchers, government and all stakeholders throughout the value
chain.
With its mid-year publication, our roadmap to 2050 net-zero will further strengthen the case for concrete roads to be part of plans to (re)build more sustainable infrastructure.]]></description>
<category>Upfront</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Apr 2023 23:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>2023 Concrete NZ Nauhria Awards Category Winners</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/635732/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/635732/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Concrete NZ Nauhria Industry Awards produced winners across eight categories for projects and initiatives that demonstrate outstanding concrete achievement.
HOLCIM - EXCELLENCE FOR ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE (MONTE CRAVEN
AWARD)
Hynds Pipe Systems for Te Pae North Piha Surf Life-Saving Tower, Auckland
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/surftower1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Te Pae North Piha Surf Life-Saving Tower. Image. Sam Hartnett.
The brief was for the lifeguard tower at North Piha - one of the most beautiful but dangerous surf beaches in New Zealand – to be a robust, low-maintenance building that would withstand the severe coastal environment. As the site is remote, precast concrete
was chosen for factory manufacture and assembly on-site. The tower is made up of 10 bespoke elements, with the shaft sitting on an in-situ concrete foundation to support the podium elements that cantilever towards the sea. The result is a facility
that meets community needs now and into the future.
Project Team. United North Piha Lifeguard Service, Crosson Architects, BGT Structures, Scarbro Construction and Hynds Pipe Systems.
<hr align="center" width="50%" />
GOLDEN BAY - EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE INFRASTRUCTURE
Fulton Hogan Taylors Joint Venture for the Waimea Community Dam, Tasman District
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/waimea1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Waimea Community Dam, Tasman District.
The dam is one of the region’s most important infrastructure projects and the largest dam built in New Zealand for over 20 years. The project team developed new approaches to achieve a high-quality concrete outcome. Key to success was placing over 30
thousand cubic metres of concrete in a remote location for a range of structures, that included a diversion outlet, starter dam, plinth, spillway, and the embankment’s concrete face.
Project Team. Waimea Water, Damwatch Engineering, Allied Concrete and Fulton Hogan Taylors Joint Venture.
<hr align="center" width="50%" />
GOLDEN BAY - EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE INFRASTRUCTURE (HIGHLY COMMENDED)
Downer New Zealand for the Tekapo A, Intake and Shaft, Canterbury
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/tekepo1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Tekapo A, Intake and Shaft, Canterbury.
This unique engineering project protects one of the South Island’s key hydro-power schemes by allowing the flow of water to Tekapo A, Power Station to be stopped in an emergency shutdown. Engineering smarts were developed that maintained live operations
throughout construction. These included using shotcrete to build the shaft in layers, expediting the construction programme and building a permanent stent to sustain power generation.
Project Team. Genesis Energy, AECOM, Parfitt Construction, Kiwi Concrete, Complete Reinforcing and Downer New Zealand.
<hr align="center" width="50%" />
GPIL - MATEENBAR - EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE LANDSCAPING
Allied Concrete for the Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa, Methven
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/opuke1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa, Methven. Image. Lisa Gane/Lumo Photography.
The entire complex was conceived as a journey through nature, emulating the context of the Canterbury Plains as they meet the majestic alps. The main feature is the hard landscaping, which uses shotcrete and decorative concretes. A striking element of
the facility is the cave system, with complex shapes formed using large bags of sawdust as the backform.
Project Team. Methven Adventures, Sheppard & Rout, Bradford Group, Allied Concrete and Peter Fell Ltd.
<hr align="center" width="50%" />
BCITO TE PUKENGA - EXCELLENCE IN RESIDENTIAL CONCRETE
Young Architects for Scarborough Béton Brut, Christchurch
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/beton1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> Scarborough Béton Brut, Christchurch. Image. Lightforge Photography - Dennis Radermacher.
Strong and efficient, concrete was used to retain the hillside, and for the finished internal walls. The structure itself was insulated and left exposed, allowing concrete's thermal mass to optimise a passive solar design that allows for comfort all year
round. Resilient in the face of strong winds and seismic threats, the concrete also offers honest beauty, with the strong timber grain shuttering giving an aesthetic that is raw like the environment. In short, the home is efficient, permanent, and
stylish.

Project Team. Young Architects, Hoogervorst Builders and ENGCO.
<hr align="center" width="50%" />
FORMSHORE - EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE REMEDIATION AND REUSE
Downer New Zealand for City Rail Link C1, Auckland
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/crl1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
City Rail Link C1, Auckland.
The CRL Contract 1 and enabling works at Britomart involved extending the rail network from Britomart Station, underneath the historic Chief Post Office and Lower Queen Street, one of the busiest areas of the Auckland CBD. The construction of twin rail
tunnels beneath the historic Chief Post Office presented significant challenges for the project team, which led to innovations such as post-tensioning and cement jet grouting as part of the underpinning works, and the construction of concrete diaphragm
walls beneath the building.
Project Team. Auckland Transport, Soletanche Bachy, Aurecon, Freyssinet, Allied Concrete, Acrow and Downer NZ.
<hr align="center" width="50%" />
POWERPAC GROUP - EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE FOR THE COMMUNITY
Downer New Zealand for the Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/DIDP1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme, Auckland.
This 350-million-dollar redevelopment of the downtown area had an ambitious timeline, with the America's Cup and other international events on the horizon. There were numerous large concrete-based components erected and cast over the water, and significant
architectural concrete finishes that enhance the streetscapes. Notable amongst these were the seismic strengthening of the 100-year-old seawall on Quay Street and the Te Wānanga Downtown Public Space - the project's centrepiece.
Project Team. Auckland Transport, Tonkin & Taylor, Aurecon, HEB Construction, Soletanche-Bachy, Allied Concrete, Firth Industries and Downer New Zealand.
<hr align="center" width="50%" />
POWERPAC GROUP - EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE FOR THE COMMUNITY (HIGHLY COMMENDED)
Aurecon for Nga Hau Māngere, Auckland
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/ngahau1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Nga Hau Māngere, Auckland. Image. LDR / Stephen Forbes.
In partnership with mana whenua, the project team replaced the 105-year-old Old Māngere Bridge with a new, stunning piece of structural engineering which, at 260-metre-long, has an elegant, curved design with a wide deck allowing pedestrians and cyclists
to travel safely. The cornerstone of the bridge is a dramatic 60-metre central arch, supported by a concrete superstructure, which provides a fitting sense of scale to the neighbouring motorway bridges. Challenges during construction included the
tidal environment and the complex structure.
Project Team. Waka Kotahi NZTA, Aurecon, Pete Bossley Architects, Isthmus and McConnell Dowell.
<hr align="center" width="50%" />
EXCELLENCE IN EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE INNOVATION
Allied Concrete for e-creteTM
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/ecrete1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Allied Concrete for ecreteTM.
With a reliable supply of ground granulated blast furnace slag now available in New Zealand, Allied Concrete undertook an R&D programme to develop a range of lower embodied carbon concretes known as ecreteTM. These are being used on a limited
scale in Auckland with wider release planned for later in the year. These concretes are designed to utilise SCMs and other concrete mix technology to achieve lower carbon outcomes through cement substitution of up to 60 percent.
Project Team. Allied Concrete.]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 25 Mar 2023 07:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>2023 Concrete NZ Nauhria Awards Pacifica Tower Takes Top Honour</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/635731/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/635731/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The project team responsible for Auckland’s Pacifica Tower, New Zealand’s highest residential building, has taken home the 2023 Nauhria Premier Concrete Award.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/pac_tower1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Pacifica Tower. Image. David Calder-Flynn.
The award, presented at the Concrete NZ Nauhria Industry Awards event at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland on 23 March, celebrated concrete’s role in one of the first examples of a new high-rise construction method being used in New Zealand.
The judging panel commended the project team which, along with BBR Contech, included Hengyi Pacific, Plus Architecture, BGT Structures, WSP, ICON and Dominion Constructors, for the adoption of innovative design and construction techniques that are emerging
in New Zealand.
In particular, the judging panel felt the use of in-situ post-tensioned concrete floors was an elegant solution to both architectural and structural performance requirements for multi-storey buildings.
The six-day floor cycle achieved during construction – where a new floor/storey was erected every six days – is testament to the careful consideration of structural design and construction methodology, as well as the skill and expertise of the project
team.

<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/pac_tower2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Pacifica Tower. Image. ICON.
Concrete NZ chief executive Rob Gaimster believes the Pacifica Tower sets a new standard for multi-storey reinforced concrete builds, demonstrating concrete can be used for the tallest commercial and residential structures in New Zealand.
“The Pacifica Tower is a prominent and celebrated addition to the Auckland skyline, and all those involved can be proud of our biggest city’s newest landmark," says Rob.
"It is also an example of how the implementation of technologies such post-tensioning and high strength mix designs will be part of concrete's ongoing decarbonisation journey,” says Rob.
On its way to the top prize, the Pacifica Tower team won the Firth Industries - Excellence in Commercial Concrete category award.
The Awards set a new benchmark for excellence in all aspects of concrete design, construction, rehabilitation, research, and innovation, while also recognising the leaders and teams who are building and preserving New Zealand’s low carbon, built environment
of tomorrow.
The Concrete NZ Nauhria Industry Awards also celebrated a further seven <a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/news/635732/" target="_self">category winners</a>.]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 25 Mar 2023 06:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Resource Management Reform and Concrete</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/636508/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/636508/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[How do two Government bills intended to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 impact on the concrete industry? In short, certainty of future aggregate supply and stability of the national network of certified concrete plants.

<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/rma.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /> 
Proposed reform will create uncertainty around future aggregate supply and stability of the national network of certified concrete plants.

BACK UP THE TRUCK Most experts agree the RMA system is broken. Projects can be costly and time consuming to approve. Plans can take more than a decade to review. Consenting and planning often end up in court. The growing number
of national policy statements (NPSs) have created more confusion than clarity for local councils, and for anyone else making use of the RMA.
Add to that the Government’s concern over inadequate opportunities for Māori participation, and that the cumulative effects of development degrade the environment. 
The case law, and the numerous amendments to the RMA over more than 30 years, have made what was originally regarded as world-class law into a complex and cumbersome system.
GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSED SOLUTION To resolve these problems, Environment Minister David Parker led the drafting of a Natural and Built Environment Bill and a Spatial Planning Bill, which he introduced to Parliament on 15 November 2022.
On enactment, expected later this year, the RMA would be repealed.
Starting the reform process was a 2020 expert panel report led by former Court of Appeal judge Tony Randerson. This concluded replacement legislation was necessary. The Government has largely followed this report’s recommendations.
After the first reading of the Bills, Parliament’s Environment Committee opened public consultation on 800 pages of draft legislation during the Christmas holiday period, offering a tight February 2023 deadline.
KEY REFORM ELEMENTS The new system replaces a focus on the effects of activities on the environment with “outcomes”, and strengthens planning. The intent is better management of the environment within “limits”, i.e., a minimum acceptable
environmental state, or a maximum acceptable level of pressure on an environmental value, such as air, water or soil quality, or biodiversity.
The new system’s purpose is basically sustainable development, while also upholding a novel concept of “te Oranga o te Taiao”, which in practice will be for local Māori to define.
The Government’s reform objectives are environmental protection, infrastructure delivery, an effective and efficient system, more participation for iwi/Māori, and climate change action.
A National Planning Framework (NPF) will replace the current NPSs, national environmental standards and the like, and resolve trade-offs between achieving competing objectives. Note that the NPF is expected to take until 2025 to develop, with Te Waihanga
NZ Infrastructure Commission leading work on an infrastructure chapter.
Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) will provide high-level allocation of space to different outcomes, feeding into Natural and Built Environment Plans (NBE). There are fewer classes of activities – permitted, controlled, discretionary, and prohibited.
Larger projects will still need resource consents.
The planning system has a 30-year vision, while RSS and NBEs are reviewed every nine years, with provision for out-of-cycle partial reviews. There will be 14 sets of planning instruments, down on the current 78 district and unitary plans, plus around
10 regional plans, and regional policy statements.
Iwi/Māori have increased opportunities for providing advice (nationally and regionally), exercising influence, making decisions, supporting decision-making, and also in monitoring and compliance.
For the concrete industry’s civil project customers, the consenting pathways look improved, in terms of speed - e.g., a fast-tracking process, a streamlined designation process, and access to different types of environmental management mechanisms.
Attention to visual effects is diminished, while there is more attention to managing noise.
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE In Concrete NZ’s view, the two Bills potentially create more problems than they solve.
A spectacular example is the many provisions sprinkled through the Natural and Built Environment Bill that deal with environmental limits, and how to manage environmental effects, which offer little or no clue to land users and developers what
they can or cannot do.
Compounding the lack of clarity are numerous novel and/or undefined terms – e.g., minimise, trivial, redress, mana, mauri – that will force someone at their expense to resolve these issues in a court. 
Enhanced Māori participation is fine as far as it goes, however, it means potentially more bureaucracy, piling more cost and time onto consenting and planning processes, while leaving unresolved who pays for that.
Proponents of smaller projects may find the bar on meeting environmental management requirements so high as to make their projects uneconomic.
Nor is there safety for existing resource consent holders. They may find their consents revoked, and then face the elevated cost of gaining new resource consents, potentially putting them out of business.
On a reading of media opinion, no one appears happy with the RMA reform. But some matters cause Concrete NZ less concern than others. Enhanced ministerial powers look to politicise the new system; however, this will also provide consistency where councils
have failed previously. The lack of hierarchy between the 18 outcomes is hardly a problem – it promotes even-handed spatial planning, based on the values at issue in any region, surely a good thing.
TO CONCLUDE In Concrete NZ’s view, the proposed cure for the RMA system raises more questions than answers.
Arguably, the Government should rescind both the Bills, and instead apply lessons learned from its attempt at legislative reform to improve the RMA.
Taken from <a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/page/readymixnews">Readymix News 21</a>.
<a href="https://concretenz.org.nz/page/readymixnews"><img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/r_rm21_advertisers.png" style="width: 100%; height: 26%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a>
]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 4 Mar 2023 03:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Chief Executive's Upfront Construction Growth Predicted Following Cyclone Gabrielle</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/633592/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/633592/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Demand for concrete is expected to continue well into 2023 and 2024, particularly for infrastructure and non-residential construction projects in Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/rob_gaimster.jpg" /> 
Rob Gaimster, Chief Executive
Ready-mixed concrete production, a practical marker of construction and infrastructure activity and general economic health, had already increased 1.5 per cent in the December 2022 quarter on the September 2022 quarter.
The year-on-year comparison for the December 2022 quarter reflects a “catching up” on the Covid-19 Delta lockdowns in late 2021.
While the final quarter of 2021 stood out in terms of production, a comparison of volumes in the year to December 2021 versus the year to December 2022 shows production actually rose by 3 per cent in the year to December 2022.
Aotearoa New Zealand considers the resilience of its national built environment in the wake of a month of extreme weather events, he anticipates that the durability, strength, seismic performance, fire resistance, and storm water management properties
of concrete will result in increased usage across the board.
While forecasting from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), BRANZ, and Pacifecon released in July of 2022 predicts a flattening in residential construction activity, planned reforms to the Resource Management Act, combined with
increased activity following Cyclone Gabrielle, could potentially alleviate any easing and increase the likelihood of higher residential building consents, or create an equilibrium.
The industry will be watching very closely to see how the situation evolves. We are aware that the Government is already taking steps to foster greater activity in the residential construction sector. This grows sector confidence as we prepare to weather
the Reserve Bank’s predictions of a “shallow recession” in 2023.
We also know that activity in the non-residential and infrastructure sectors is expected to see an increase, and given the significant impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, it is likely we will see further growth in the infrastructure sector as rebuild and rehabilitation
works come online.
Commercial consents were predicted to continue at record levels over the next two years, while the total value of infrastructure projects was anticipated to increase, even without modelling to factor in works related to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The total value of infrastructure projects in the National Infrastructure Pipeline increased from $72.2 billion to $76.9 billion in November 2022, a 6.5% increase when compared with the June quarter.
This growth is encouraging for the construction sector as a whole, but also supports wider economic stability and wellbeing as infrastructure drives higher living standards, strengthens the economy, and results in better social and environmental outcomes.
Pleasingly, we anticipate that this will include increased uptake of the industry’s decarbonised concrete products.
The concrete sector is making efforts to reduce its climate impact, with a range of new ‘low carbon’ concretes coming online that were already planned for projects, such as the Kāinga Ora Bader Ventura development in Māngere.
Between 2005 and 2018, the concrete sector has already reduced its emissions from cement by 15 per cent. Our objective is to achieve a target of a 30 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and we are on the cusp of releasing our industry
roadmap to be net carbon zero by 2050.
In addition to concrete’s qualities as a construction material our industry has a number of initiatives in place that will help to decarbonise concrete, and the concrete sector.
This includes replacing clinker in cement with low carbon natural and recycled alternatives, increasing design efficiencies in the construction of concrete structures, and finding coal replacements for cement manufacture at Golden Bay’s Portland cement
works.]]></description>
<category>Upfront</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 2 Mar 2023 19:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Weathertight Concrete Code of Practice Updated</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/628492/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/628492/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Concrete NZ has published a revised 2022 version of CP01 Code of Practice for Weathertight Concrete and Concrete Masonry Construction to help establish new standard practices.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/cpo1-2022.jpg" /> 

Concrete NZ chief executive Rob Gaimster notes that the update of the 2014 version was prompted by a need to improve the thermal performance of residential concrete buildings and account for new construction systems.
Insulation shown in the Code’s details has been enhanced and thermal images of the details themselves included - enabling a better understanding of the risk of condensation at the internal surface areas and junctions.
“It has been eight years since the CP 01 Code of Practice for Weathertight Concrete and Concrete Masonry Construction was last updated,” Rob says.
“The majority of the edits have been revisions of the detailed drawings to allow for improved thermal performance.
“The addition of acceptable surface temperature factors will help architects and designers determine a detail's climate zone suitability, while new Appendix A describes the methodology that was used to develop the detail and provides further thermal performance
information.”

The Code's updated details also reflect new weathertightness systems that have become more prevalent in New Zealand over the past decade, such as double glazing and thicker thermal insulation.
Sustainable Engineering Ltd director and contributor to the 2014 and 2022 versions Jason Quinn believes the update demonstrates admirable leadership from Concrete NZ, establishing new standard practices in advance of New Zealand Building Code minima.
“An important new focus in the CP01:2022 is thermal performance, and we calculated the thermal bridging and surface temperature factors (mould index) for the various details,” Jason says.
"These calculations help architects and designers to understand the risk of mould growth and underpin comprehensive changes to the detailed drawings of this document.

"When we build better, everybody benefits."
The updated Code has been prepared for use by practitioners with the appropriate qualifications, experience and professional judgement as a way to demonstrate compliance with the Building Code Clause E2 External Moisture.
Practitioners using this Code should ensure design solutions meet all the performance requirements of the New Zealand Building Code.
The 2022 version should be assessed as an alternative solution. The current 2014 version remains the cited version in Acceptable Solution E2/AS3 and should be assessed as an acceptable solution
for New Zealand Building Code Clause E2 External Moisture.
The new <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/cnz/c_cp01_2022.pdf" target="_blank">CP01:2022 - Code of Practice for Weathertight Concrete and Concrete Masonry Construction</a> is available for free download.]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 1 Feb 2023 23:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chief Executive's Upfront Concrete Roadmap to a Low Carbon Future</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/628228/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/628228/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It seems as if we have already moved-on from the global pandemic, but a moment’s reflection reminds us that Omicron arrived in January 2022 to present a new set of challenges.
<img alt="" style="width: 100%;" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/rob_gaimster.jpg" /> 
Rob Gaimster, Chief Executive
However, experience had equipped the construction sector with the necessary skills to adapt and overcome at short notice, after which restrictions were gradually reduced so that by mid-2022 the vaccine pass was no longer needed and we had settled into
the Orange setting with little, if any, impediment to work.
During 2022 Concrete NZ’s path has mirrored that of the construction sector as it rode the diminishing wave of COVID-19 disruption to deliver on its Business Plan and set out a sustainability focused future work programme to guide members’ net zero carbon
objectives and promote their success.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY Always a go-to metric for construction activity, and general economic health, ready mixed concrete production (all quality assured) for the 12-months up to and including the September 2022 quarter increased
approximately nine percent on the previous 12-months.
Even accounting for the inevitable bounce back in construction activity following Auckland’s lockdown during August and September 2021, the quarterly production totals for December 2021 as well as March, June and September 2022 were all historic highs,
with the former being a record at 1,290,076 cubic metres.
In terms of regional and metropolitan output, the abovementioned recovery in production across greater Auckland during the last quarter of 2021 is the standout, although annual growth to the September 2022 quarter was evident almost across the board,
with only Wellington city being the exception.
Other construction metrics were equally as healthy for the year ended September 2022 compared to the previous 12-months, with the actual number of new dwellings consented up 7.0 percent, and the value of non-residential building work consented up 19 percent.
Yet some commentators have identified a “flattening” in construction, with activity effectively tracking sideways, particularly in the residential sector, as on-site labour resource constraints and continued supply chain disruptions have an effect.
BRANZ forecasts show residential consents for new builds falling over the next few quarters while commercial consents are predicted to stay at record levels for the next two years – meaning 2023 will likely see one sector balance the other to achieve
a likely steady state.
ASSOCIATION ACTIVITY As 2022 progressed the global pandemic became just one part of the association’s escalating outreach efforts across technical, policy and sustainability topics.
Technical Guidance On the back of a very productive 2021 in terms of new Concrete NZ technical publications, 2022 has seen several updates to the New Zealand Concrete Masonry Manual, as well as a soon to be published review
of CP 01:2014 Code of
Practice for Weathertight Concrete and Concrete Masonry Construction.
In a similar space, our Learned Society offered Concrete Materials and Precast Walls & Connections seminars, which along with the Concrete NZ conference in Rotorua during October, ensured demand was met for face-to-face knowledge
transfer. 
This is an area of work Concrete NZ will continue to focus on in 2023, with Assessment and Retrofit of Precast Floors (Recast) and Fundamental Concrete Design seminars set to go ahead in the first half of the year, while Dual Displacement Based Design and Diaphragm Design Examples seminars are scheduled for the second half of 2023.
Government Relations Concrete NZ’s role in helping members better understand external issues and contribute their experiences in support of effective lobbying and favourable policy outcomes, has gained additional importance over
recent years.
This is illustrated by the volume of government discussion documents that Concrete NZ has answered, with submissions sent to ministries, departments and entities as diverse as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Kāinga Ora – Homes
and Communities and the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga.
A standout piece of work involved responding to the Commerce Commission’s Residential Building Supplies Market Study: Preliminary Issues Paper. Concrete NZ called for the current abnormal market drivers affecting housing affordability to be considered,
as well as product durability, embodied carbon (in terms of a full life cycle assessment) and environmental impacts.
Climate Change Supporting and communicating the New Zealand concrete industry’s decarbonisation journey has and will continue to occupy Concrete NZ resource as the association prepares to embark on a multi-faceted project to tell
concrete’s low carbon story.
In liaison with our Sector Groups and the Learned Society, Concrete NZ will shortly launch a 2050 Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Carbon Concrete that identifies and weights the ‘levers’ (e.g., alternative cement kiln fuel and design/construction
efficiencies) which will be used to decarbonise the concrete industry.
At the same time a data collection exercise is underway to allow industry to report against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across different material topics such as CO2 emissions, waste management and cement replacements.
Future Construction New Zealand, along with the rest of the world, has emerged from the global pandemic to face a new set of challenges that require a considered response from government and business to enable economic resilience
and intergenerational wellbeing.

There is no doubt that construction will be part of the solution. The built environment enhances living standards, promotes a robust economy, fosters vibrant cultural and social activity, and protects our environment.
Concrete NZ is therefore firmly focussed on telling concrete’s low carbon story to create a better understanding amongst decision makers within government and the construction sector. 
The story will feature manufacturing advancements and benefits in use, to ensure that the world’s most widely used material plays a significant role in realising a net zero carbon and resilient future for New Zealand.
From <a href="https://contrafed.co.nz/" target="_blank">Contractor Perspectives 2023</a>]]></description>
<category>Upfront</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jan 2023 19:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Concrete NZ Nauhria Industry Awards Will Set New Benchmark In Excellence</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/624338/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/624338/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Concrete NZ is thrilled to announce that entries are open for the first-ever Concrete NZ Nauhria Industry Awards, which will be presented at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in March 2023.
<a href="https://www.concreteawards.org.nz/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images/awards/23_cnz_entries_open_test.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /></a>
The new industry awards are set to become the benchmark for excellence in all aspects of concrete design, construction, rehabilitation, research and innovation.
Concrete NZ chief executive, Rob Gaimster, is excited to open entries to the wider New Zealand building and construction sector, and expects a high level of interest based on concrete’s status as a critical material across residential, commercial and
infrastructure works.
“These new awards are very much outwards facing and inclusive, focussing on projects and initiatives that involve all building and construction sector businesses, including Concrete NZ members, as well as their clients, academic institutions and government
agencies,” says Rob.
“The awards also recognise the individual leaders and team members who are designing, constructing, preserving and repurposing New Zealand’s future, low carbon, built environment.”
Along with the overall Nauhria Premier Concrete Award, the following categories will be acknowledged at the March 2023 event:
<ul>
<li>Holcim Excellence in Architectural Concrete (Monte Craven Award)</li>
<li>Golden Bay Excellence in Concrete Infrastructure</li>
<li>Firth Industries Excellence in Commercial Concrete</li>
<li>Excellence in Concrete Landscaping</li>
<li>BCITO Te Pūkenga Excellence in Residential Concrete</li>
<li>Powerpac Group Excellence in Concrete for the Community</li>
<li>Formshore Excellence in Concrete Remediation and Reuse</li>
<li>Canzac Excellence in Concrete Innovation</li>
</ul>
The Concrete NZ Nauhria Industry Awards will be presented at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, a venue spectacularly situated at the foot of Auckland’s Harbour Bridge in Westhaven Marina, overlooking the Waitemata Harbour.
“There is no doubt that competition amongst the category winners to take home the Premier Concrete Award will be fierce, as New Zealand has seen many impressive commercial, residential, infrastructure and remediation projects, not to mention
research initiatives, achieve completion recently, all of which could not have been realised without concrete,” says Rob.
In addition to celebrating the winning entries, Concrete NZ is looking forward to the awards gala itself, and anticipate being joined by many building and construction sector partners, either as entrants or sponsors.
“The event is an opportunity for businesses to help honour achievements across all forms of concrete construction, while at the same time connect with key influencers from within the concrete industry and wider building and construction sector, as well
as with asset managers and property developers,” adds Rob.
Entries will remain open until 20 February 2023.
Entry and sponsorship details can be found on the Concrete NZ Nauhria Industry Awards website - <a href="https://www.concreteawards.org.nz/" target="_blank">www.concreteawards.org.nz</a>]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2022 01:55:00 GMT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Getting Ahead of the Curve On Decarbonisation and Sustainability</title>
<link>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/626543/</link>
<guid>https://concretenz.org.nz/news/626543/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Bernie Napp – Concrete NZ, Sustainability & Policy Director
“Green” concrete is a global phenomenon and is making headway in Aotearoa New Zealand. Concrete NZ is on a mission to make this story compelling for all who use and regulate concrete.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/gcca.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
In 2021 the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) produced a decarbonisation roadmap, titled Our Concrete Future. This document sets out seven levers for moving the global cement and concrete sector to net zero carbon by 2050.
Six years earlier the United Nations Organisation (UN) had published 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for nation states to create a better world. The SDGs include health and wellbeing, clean water, renewable and affordable energy, jobs and economic
growth, industry and infrastructure, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and climate action. All of which are relevant to concrete.
The SDGs and the GCCA work are a call to action for the New Zealand cement and concrete industry to accelerate advocacy and communications efforts around climate change. Conveying concrete’s sustainability credentials and its decarbonisation journey is
a challenge fully embraced, however the task will be difficult as some inaccurate perceptions are long-standing.
For instance, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Building for Climate Change programme expressed a clear preference for timber over concrete in building and construction, which required Concrete NZ to balance in its
submission.

Similarly, the Ministry for the Environment’s (MfE) draft National Adaptation Plan for climate change contained no reference to concrete in combatting sea level rise, preferring the creation of wetlands and “managed retreat”. Concrete NZ’s advocacy
saw the final Plan include “sea walls” as a climate change adaptation option.
At the recent NZ Bridge Summit in Wellington, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency presented on building highway bridges out of timber, and asked if concrete would “lead to an over-reliance and bias in bridge construction”. This stands in contrast with KiwiRail’s
replacing wooden railway bridges with concrete and steel structures.
To better influence the sustainability and climate change debate, Concrete NZ has taken an approach known as ESG – “environmental, social and corporate governance”.
WHAT IS ESG? ESG concerns the material impacts, positive and negative, of a business or industry on people and the environment, and how the external world impacts on the business or industry. Organisations use sustainability reporting
to disclose their impacts, and to guide improvements to their environmental (including carbon) and social footprint over time.
The ESG concept was coined in 2004, and since then its use has grown exponentially, particularly from 2018. It differs from earlier, voluntary approaches to sustainability, e.g., “triple bottom line” and “corporate social responsibility”. Rather, it is
a response to external threats, risks and opportunities posed to businesses. These include government policymakers and regulators, financial markets, customers, communities and indigenous people, environmental NGOs, and people looking for rewarding
careers.

ESG allows entities to deal with the inevitable tradeoffs between achieving profit and protecting the environment – methodically, transparently and effectively.
In the case of concrete, the industry has a positive and verifiable story to tell, one of rapidly decarbonising, and reducing its environmental footprint.
This supports Concrete NZ in promoting a collaborative, informed approach to debate, to create a positive vision for concrete. To that end, we are producing a decarbonisation Roadmap, and a Sustainability Report.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/p30.png" style="width: 100%;" />
DECARBONISATION ROADMAP In 2022 Concrete NZ commissioned Australasian consultancy thinkstep to develop a decarbonisation Roadmap, due for completion in early 2023. Concrete NZ is the project manager and co-ordinator of the project,
being funded by ourselves, as well as by the MBIE and BRANZ.
Inspiration for the Roadmap comes from the progress industry has made to date. Between 2005 and 2018 it reduced CO2 emissions by 15 percent, against a 13 percent volumetric increase in ready-mixed concrete production over that time.
Thinkstep verified the data in early 2020, and is currently updating the figures.
This success led Concrete NZ, in consultation with members, to set emissions reduction targets of 30 percent by 2030, and net zero carbon by 2050.
The GCCA report identified several levers for CO2 emissions reductions. Thinkstep is evaluating these for application in the New Zealand context. At this stage, lower-emissions kiln fuels, reducing clinker factor in cement, and partially replacing
cement with supplementary cementitious materials are gaining traction. We envisage improvements also in concrete design and construction, and transport emissions.
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT Concrete NZ is also leading the development of a pan-industry Sustainability Report, based on a materiality assessment of industry impacts on people and the environment. This was done in April 2021, consistent
with an international standard, the Global Reporting Initiative.
The material topics Concrete NZ chose for sustainability reporting are: energy and emissions; waste and circular economy; freshwater; benefits to the built environment; health and safety; and socio-economic benefits.
Data collection is underway for the year to 30 June 2022, with many returns already received, and report completion expected in early 2023. Thinkstep is providing strategic advice, peer review, editing and design.
<img alt="" src="https://concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/images3/p31.png" style="width: 100%;" />
WHERE TO NEXT? ESG is increasingly the must-do approach for businesses in a world of tightening regulation, and rising societal expectations of the private sector, including of the cement and concrete industry.
Many companies in our industry are already pursuing decarbonisation, obtaining Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), or are preparing their own sustainability reports.
Concrete NZ is playing our part, via the decarbonisation Roadmap and the Sustainability Report. We are inserting cement and concrete firmly into the sustainability conversation in New Zealand. Examples include implementation of the MfE’s
Emissions Reduction Plan, MBIE’s Building for Climate Change programme, and Waka Kotahi work on updating concrete specifications for its Highway Structure Construction Guide. This last workstream is important to building Concrete
NZ’s case for concrete roads and bridges.
Good information, communications, and engagement with government and other stakeholders are at the forefront of our work to enhance recognition of the cement and concrete industry’s fast-reducing carbon and environmental footprint, among designers, architects,
builders, customers, regulators and policymakers.
Concrete has a bright future in a modern New Zealand as the construction material of choice for resilient buildings and infrastructure.]]></description>
<category>Concrete NZ</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2022 20:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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