Circular Driven Economy Symposium 2018
Two-day circular economy event set to provide concrete thoughts for concrete benefits
EUROPEAN materials producers may be forgiven if the ongoing – sometimes raging – debate in Europe around the implications of newly established guidelines, as set by the circular economy bundle of directives and frameworks, leaves them confused as to the best way forward for their businesses.
One of the key issues facing producers is that although concrete is the most commonly used commodity in the world after water, demand for concrete products is rising while the availability of raw materials is steadily decreasing.
The answer has to lie in making the most of every available scrap of material that would have previously been sent to landfill without a second thought. However, the method to achieve this, although it has been framed into European law, tends to remain unclear at national level as implementation rules vary.
Cutting straight through to the essential facts that materials companies need know to progress towards zero waste whilst adding value to their operations, leading industry experts will outline the very practical benefits of the circular economy principles at the Circular Driven Economy Symposium 2018, which will take place at the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Heathrow, London, from 18–19 September.
This innovative event has been established by a group of international organizations working across policy, research, materials processing and end-use applications, with a focus on optimizing the value from C&D waste materials. The partner organizations are AF Gruppen, CDE, The Sheehan Group, SINTEF and Queen’s University Belfast.
Day one of the event will cover the ‘all you need to know’ facts to allow operators to visualize the best way to turn their recyclable waste into a valuable concrete product that is just as strong and versatile as a natural sand made concrete.
Prof. Marios Soutsos – author of 100 technical publications including the popular ‘Concrete Durability: A Practical Guide to the Design of Durable Concrete Structures’ – who has witnessed sustainable building solutions around the world and specializes in durable concrete products, will offer practical guidance on the dynamics of the production of recycled concrete.
Complementing his thoughts, Marjorie Petitpain of CERIB (Precast Concrete Industry Study & Research Centre) will bring practical advice based on her years of experience in the field of environmental precast concretes and low-carbon concrete, with a focus on obtaining concretes from recycled materials that have similar characteristics (mechanical, durability etc) to concretes from natural materials, whilst greatly reducing the environmental footprint.
A full programme of other speakers will guide operators through the meanders of the legislative framework and the different tried-and-tested business models, with a main focus on demonstrating how to obtain value from recycled materials.
Day two will be ‘proof of the pudding’ day, when participants will be taken to a Sheehan Group quarry site in Oxfordshire to witness the circular economy business model in action.
Already making a success of the circular economy north of the border are C&D waste-recycling pioneers Brewster Bros. In line with the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Strategy, ‘Making Things Last’, each year this company processes and recycles up to 400,000 tonnes of soils and rubble into high-value sand and gravel – reducing waste-disposal costs for its customers whilst maximizing waste recovery. The waste collected is not subject to landfill tax and the recycled aggregates produced are not subject to the aggregates levy.
For more information about the Circular Driven Economy Symposium 2018 or to book a place, visit: www.circulardriveneconomy.com
