21St International Baustofftagung in Weimar Showcases Current Trends in Building Materials Research
Climate-neutral and multifunctional: The 21st International Baustofftagung (ibausil), scheduled to take place from 13 to 15 September 2023 in the Congress Centrum Weimarhalle, will address the requirements that construction materials will have to meet. The conference, organised by the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar F.A. Finger Institute for Building Material Engineering, will focus on current topics of building materials production and use. Thuringian Minister President Bodo Ramelow will be in attendance, as will University President Prof. Peter Benz.
Will a Co2-neutral2-neutral or even Co2-negative2-negative production of construction materials be possible in the future? How can we conserve resources by reusing construction materials at the end of their life cycles? Is it possible to increase the lifespan and safety of concrete components? And how can the broad, industrial introduction of innovative manufacturing processes, such as 3D concrete printing, be carried out? As one of the largest scientific conferences for building materials, the 21st »Ibausil« is the ideal platform for exchanging knowledge and generating new perspectives. Topics include everything from »Inorganic Binders«, »Concrete and Concrete Durability«, »Fuctionalisation of Building Materials« to »Building Materials for Walls, Ceilings and Floors« and »Recycling«. The conference also includes an accompanying exhibition as well as a supporting programme with subject-specific excursions and cultural events.
Clear Focus on Sustainability
A quick look at the conference clearly shows how much its focus has evolved over the decades. »The topics discussed at ibausil tend to mirror social developments and the continuously increasing demands on building materials«, explains Prof. Dr. Horst-Michael Ludwig, Director of the F.A. Finger Institute for Building Material Engineering in the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. While the conference originally examined the technical performance and manufacturing processes of building materials, today the focus is increasingly on resource-friendly, sustainable construction and renovation. »This year’s conference examines as low-CO2, CO2- neutral or even carbon- negative building materials. Closing material cycles through reuse and recycling is also a high priority.« Even when technical innovations or new products are introduced, sustainability is always immediately considered. »Taking into account the enormous carbon footprint generated by the global construction industry, this new focus is not only understandable, but necessary«, says Ludwig, further explaining: »Construction is responsible for about 60 percent of the world’s resource consumption and about 35 percent of both global energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This clearly shows that significant research and development is needed in this area.«
About the ibausil
The international Baustofftagung (ibausil) has a long history and was first held in Weimar in 1964. The first ibausil took place in 1964 with around 200 attendees — a much smaller event than what we are anticipating this year, with around 650 participants from 20 different countries. The ibausil is organised by the F.A. Finger Institute for Building Material Engineering at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. The conference is normally held ever three years. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 21st Baustofftagung was postponed by two years. The ibausil thrives on the direct interaction between academia and industry on an international level. A digital or hybrid event was out of the question for us.
Further information on registration and the programme can be found at:
www.ibausil.de
Media representatives are warmly invted to the opening event on 13 September from 9 to 11 am. During the conference, press talks with Prof. Dr. Horst-Michael Ludwig can be scheduled on topics such as building material climate neutrality, recycling, 3D printing or alkali-silica reaction.
For questions, please contact conference secretary Dr. Matthias Lieboldt, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Faculty of Civil Engineering. Finger-Institute for Building Material Engineering by phone at +49 (0) 3643 / 58 47 21, or by e-mail ibausil[at]uni-weimar.de