The goal of the scientific discussions was to produce a research proposal for submission to the Sino-German Center for the Promotion of Science (CDZ). The international effort to reduce global carbon emissions formed the backdrop of the conference.

China is one of the world’s largest emitters of carbon dioxide. Even the production of conventional cements, such as traditional Portland cement, releases huge quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere, and China is far and away the largest cement producer in the world. This has increased awareness of the issue. »Various initiatives indicate that in the coming years, efforts will be redoubled to significantly reduce these carbon emissions,« says Professor Horst-Michael Ludwig, the chair of the Building Material Engineering department.

An important instrument will therefore be the development and introduction of cements with reduced CO2 emissions. Currently, the best-developed solution already in practice is the use of so-called composite cements. However, these cements can only be used on a large scale – and are thus relevant for carbon emissions reduction – if their technical performance in concretes, stuccos, and mortars can attain the levels possible with traditional cements. This goes for both technical performance and also robustness, »There can be no negative effects on the durability and longevity of the building components. Emissions have no borders, and the only way to counter them is through partnerships that are also capable of transcending borders,« Professor Ludwig added.

To continue research into the interactions of additives in cement, the project partners from China and Germany bring specific competencies to the table. The participants of the symposium had a goal of establishing a collaboration project that would have a pilot function for future partnerships of the two countries aimed at actively tackling the carbon emissions issue.

Anyone interested in the scientific symposium »Interaction between cement and additives« or for other inquiries related to the symposium please contact Andreas Hecker, a research assistant assigned to the professorship for Building Material Engineering. Mr. Hecker can be reached at +49 (0) 36 43/ 58 49 36 or by e-mail at andreas.hecker[at]uni-weimar.de.

Attendance at the conference was limited to registered participants.

The symposium took place with the generous support of the Sino-German Center for the Promotion of Science (CDZ).

The goal of the scientific discussions was to produce a research proposal for submission to the Sino-German Center for the Promotion of Science (CDZ). The international effort to reduce global carbon emissions formed the backdrop of the conference.

China is one of the world’s largest emitters of carbon dioxide. Even the production of conventional cements, such as traditional Portland cement, releases huge quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere, and China is far and away the largest cement producer in the world. This has increased awareness of the issue. »Various initiatives indicate that in the coming years, efforts will be redoubled to significantly reduce these carbon emissions,« says Professor Horst-Michael Ludwig, the chair of the Building Material Engineering department.

An important instrument will therefore be the development and introduction of cements with reduced CO2 emissions. Currently, the best-developed solution already in practice is the use of so-called composite cements. However, these cements can only be used on a large scale – and are thus relevant for carbon emissions reduction – if their technical performance in concretes, stuccos, and mortars can attain the levels possible with traditional cements. This goes for both technical performance and also robustness, »There can be no negative effects on the durability and longevity of the building components. Emissions have no borders, and the only way to counter them is through partnerships that are also capable of transcending borders,« Professor Ludwig added.

To continue research into the interactions of additives in cement, the project partners from China and Germany bring specific competencies to the table. The participants of the symposium had a goal of establishing a collaboration project that would have a pilot function for future partnerships of the two countries aimed at actively tackling the carbon emissions issue.

Anyone interested in the scientific symposium »Interaction between cement and additives« or for other inquiries related to the symposium please contact Andreas Hecker, a research assistant assigned to the professorship for Building Material Engineering. Mr. Hecker can be reached at +49 (0) 36 43/ 58 49 36 or by e-mail at andreas.hecker[at]uni-weimar.de.

Attendance at the conference was limited to registered participants.

The symposium took place with the generous support of the Sino-German Center for the Promotion of Science (CDZ).