Concrete solutions for sustainable construction

Concrete is the most used building material in the world. It is unrivalled for its low cost, structural performance, durability and versatility.

Concrete is also a major contributor to climate change. Cement manufacturing and use in construction accounts for over 8 percent of global CO2 emissions. As reducing concrete's carbon footprint has thus become a priority, new formulas, carbon capture technologies and circular concrete with recycled aggregate are now entering the market.

The largest challenge of all however is how to build efficiently and to reduce the overall use of cement. Design and material optimization innovations, 3D-printed or self-healing concrete, and techniques to minimize waste of formwork and support infrastructure all contribute to improving opportunities and the sustainability of building with concrete.

To explore the role of concrete in building tomorrow's cities, in the morning the hybrid programme brings together academia, industry and insurance experts for an interdisciplinary dialogue at the Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue in Rüschlikon and online.

As an add-on programme for in-person guests, the afternoon programme includes an overview of the NCCR Digital Fabrication at ETH Hönggerberg and a tour of the DFAB HOUSE at NEST (Next Evolution in Sustainable Building Technologies) in Dübendorf.