International conference of the construction sector in Weimar

Sustainability and recycling were again the focus of the „IAB Tage Beton“ (IAB Concrete Days) held in Weimar on November 15 and 16, 2023. About 200 international representatives of construction science and the construction industry took part in the two-day specialist event of the Institute of Applied Construction Research (IAB - Institut für Angewandte Bauforschung). Topics included, among others, the resource-conserving handling and recycling of building materials, new production technologies as well as digitalization and artificial intelligence in the construction sector. Five lecture blocks with 20 specialist lectures and an accompanying trade exhibition with companies of the building materials, construction machinery and concrete construction industries complemented the conference program.

Sustainable construction research for the future – this motto of the Weimar Institute of Applied Construction Research (IAB for short) perfectly describes the importance that building material recycling has for the construction sector as well as the society in times of increasingly scarce raw materials. With the construction of the testing facility and the appropriate technical infrastructure (magnet separator, rotary kiln, pilot facility for flash calcination), IAB recognized the signs early and set the right course. In the so-called „Recycling-Technikum“ – the Recycling Technology Center – research can be conducted on recycling methods and products on an industrial scale and prepared for market-ready applications. The program of the „IAB Concrete Days“ quite consciously built on this competence and once again focused on this topic.

Opening and welcoming of the international audience

„We are pleased to welcome you at the 29th edition of our international concrete trade conference in Weimar,“ Dr. Ulrich Palzer extended a cordial welcome to the 200 internationally arriving guests. Then, the IAB Institute Director gave the floor to the senior mayor of the city of Weimar, Peter Klein, and the Minister of Economic Affairs of Thuringia, Wolfgang Tiefensee. Peter Kleine once more lauded the collaboration with the Weimar Institute and its growth in the past three decades. In his welcoming address, Wolfgang Tiefensee talked about the importance of the technical exchange beyond national and international borders. The sharing of knowledge and know-how from construction research and development to industry is more important than ever, according to him, events like this are an essential guarantee for this.

Sustainability, recycling and resource-conserving construction

The lecture program of the first conference day was opened by Prof. Dr. Sabine Flamme of Münster University of Applied Sciences. In her keynote speech she addressed the status quo and the challenges of resource-conserving building. The following lecture block on sustainability and recycling provided the corresponding thematic depth. Seven specialist lectures presented new recycling products and methods as well as climate-neutral production processes. With a panel on fiber-reinforced concrete and reinforcement technologies, the first conference day ended in the traditional get-together at the institute headquarters of IAB. There, many of the attendants did not miss out the guided tour offered through the laboratories and testing facilities of the industry-oriented research institute.

Precast elements, processes and digitalization

The second conference day again started with a keynote speech and the theoretical explanation regarding the guided tour on the previous day. Dr. Barbara Leydolph presented new calcination technologies at the IAB and addressed the pilot facility for flash calcination viewed the evening before. The two subsequent lecture blocks focused on the production and the application of precast concrete elements as well as procedures and equipment. A view beyond the own horizon was provided with the final block on digitalization and the use of AI methods in the construction industry.

Program diversity and familiar atmosphere

„This year, we have mounted a very interesting and appealing program,” summarized Mirko Landmann, Head of Research Department at IAB, with satisfaction. „Our trade event is characterized by the practical approach and the familiar atmosphere what makes it so popular among participants and exhibitors.“ The next „IAB Concrete Days“ will take place in Weimar on November 13 and 14, 2024. BFT International will then again be represented as exhibitor there.