NRMCA and Grey Matters hosted the 9th International Concrete Technology Forum in the Middle East at Roda Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai, UAE on the 5th – 6th of December 2017. The conference was a big success being sponsored by 15 companies where 200 personnel attended. For the second year in a row, Dubai Municipality was the strategic partner of the event knowing that this conference took place for the first time in 2010 and since then it has been organized on yearly basis.

The International Concrete Technology Forum was endorsed by the “Concrete Sustainability Council” and the “International Concrete Repair Institute”. The platinum sponsors were “BASF” and “Emirates Beton”; the gold sponsors were “Cemex”, “Mapei”, “RAK Mix”, “S.S.Lootah Ready Mix Concrete”, “Hydronix” and “Simatec”; the silver sponsors were “Cortec”, “Unibeton Ready Mix”, “Kryton”, “Testing” and “Transgulf Readymix”; and the bronze sponsors were “Q Mix Ready Mix Manufacturing” and “RMB Readymix Concrete”.

Local, Regional and International speakers shared the latest developments and technologies related to sustainability initiatives, durability, design, specifying, manufacturing and handling of concrete. Building Department of Dubai Municipality shared two projects that are being conducted, one related to Service Life of Concrete Structures in Dubai and the other related to Environmental Product Decelerations of Concrete products (EPD). In addition to that the conference held a workshop covering a case study: “Mohammad Bin Rashid Library” project. At the end of the first day, a graduation ceremony took place for the 4th batch of NRMCA Certified Concrete Professional Middle East (CCPfME).

On the second day, a panel discussion entitled “DM-DCL Ready Mix Concrete Certification - Continual Improvements and Future Innovations” where the history of ready mixed concrete certification was presented as well as its continual improvements and future innovations.

For the second year, the “Dubai Municipality Awards” for ready mix concrete and precast companies in Dubai took place and the winners were announced. Six awards were granted to the ready mix concrete and precast companies (3 levels of awards for each), evaluating the performance in achieving the Dubai Central Laboratory Certification under the Dubai Municipality Standard Specification, DMS 026.

The International Concrete Technology Forum are designed to provide networking and learning opportunities, where attendees received 10 professional development hours (PDH’s).

Researches, authorities, academics, engineers, architect, contractors, concrete producers, material suppliers and concrete industry professions attended the International Concrete Technology Forum and were part of this networking platform.

The 2018 Conference date will be announced during mid of January 2018.

Prepared by Sarah Zgheib