Aecon, one of Canada’s largest construction and infrastructure development companies, has partnered up with Concordia University in Montreal to embark on a groundbreaking research endeavour aimed at revolutionising the construction industry.
The partnership, formalised through a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), will focus on the development of new low-carbon construction materials, with a particular emphasis on low-carbon concrete.
Concrete is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, which is why Aecon and Concordia aim to tackle this challenge by exploring innovative technologies and sustainable practices to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production.
Aecon Vice President of Sustainability Prabh K. Banga expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to drive positive change in the industry.
Banga said: “Concrete is an essential construction material, and this research partnership builds on a mutual commitment to harness innovative technologies in the construction industry to help accelerate the energy transition and advance sustainable construction.”
As part of the MOU, Aecon and Concordia will undertake two research projects in 2024 under Concordia’s Volt-Age applied research program.
One project — titled Decarbonising the Concrete Jungle — will focus on piloting three low-carbon concrete slabs made with alternative materials to reduce the use of cement.
This project aims to promote the use of sustainable materials and apply circular economy principles by utilising waste materials from other Aecon projects.
The second project, Eco-Architecture Decarbonised 3D Printed Concrete Buildings, will explore the use of 3D-printed low-carbon concrete columns, also produced with alternative materials.
This project seeks to advance energy-efficient, sustainable, and resilient building practices through innovative 3D concrete printing technologies.
Banga emphasised the importance of these projects in driving sustainable construction practices.
“Testing real-life examples of low-carbon construction materials will provide a great opportunity for shared knowledge and access to resources that may not have been available to us before,” said Banga.
Beyond the specific projects, the MOU includes provisions for Aecon and Concordia to collaborate on other low-carbon concrete solutions, industrial waste valorisation projects, and potential internship opportunities for Civil Engineering students.
The partnership comes at a critical time, as the building and construction industry accounts for approximately 37 per cent of global emissions, with concrete alone contributing 8 per cent.
