Sustainable concrete in practice

Training and networking initiatives

The Concrete Association supports and promotes the concrete (construction) industry in the Netherlands. This association encourages development and knowledge sharing, promotes best practices and offers education to professionals within the sector.

Erik Vergeer, Program Manager Training and Courses: "The challenges in the concrete sector are undeniably great. As the most widely used building material in the world, concrete has a significant environmental impact. We still need to build more while reducing CO2 emissions, so innovative, creative and sustainable solutions are essential. How can we shape these developments together to meet this dual requirement? Our courses clearly answer that question."

Importance of knowledge and network

"We can reduce CO2 emissions at the product level, but also at the process level," Vergeer continues. "For that you need sufficient knowledge about those specific products and how you can then integrate that into sustainable, economically sound processes. This is why we have developed a series of courses on sustainability and circularity. The emphasis on sustainable concrete production and processing makes us different from other providers in this field. As one of the signatories of the Concrete Agreement, we see it as our responsibility to further disseminate that knowledge. And we have to, because concrete is under a magnifying glass when it comes to emissions. The production of concrete requires a lot of energy and the chemical processes also produce CO2 emissions. The industry is looking for alternatives to this, such as other concrete types and mixtures such as alkaline activated binder systems."

"The Concrete Association regularly organizes knowledge and networking events where members can network with colleagues, suppliers and other professionals. Consider our annual 'Concrete Event,' formerly known as Concrete Day. Through our Concrete Cafés, we can more often share knowledge, exchange ideas and discuss challenges and solutions within the industry. That's where we regularly meet employees of IJB Group..." 

Building on Sustainable Capacity®

IJB Group provides a wide range of (concrete) products and services for the realization of building foundations. Its offerings include soil testing, foundation consulting and the supply and installation of foundation beams, precast piles, concrete mortar and mortar screw piles. IJB Group is known for its "Total Concept," which offers clients an integrated solution for the entire foundation process of structures. The company is also strongly committed to sustainability and strives to integrate sustainable practices into all business operations, with the objective of minimizing its impact on people and the environment. This is nicely described in its mission and vision, based on 'Sustainable Bearing Capacity®'. IJB Group works with various partners and organizations to achieve its goals and is also a long-time member of the Concrete Association.

Femke Oosterman, HR Training Officer IJB Academy at IJB Groep B.V.: "We are especially pleased with the interactive nature of the courses taken. The interaction with colleagues and sparring with professionals from the field is a nice and efficient methodology to think out and work out common interests, in addition to the theory covered. The advantage is that IJB Group has its own IJB Academy space in which everything can be organized in-company. The process with the Concrete Association could be discussed quickly and thoroughly and was then scheduled at short notice. Because for us, 'Sustainable Capacity' is also about developing our employees and providing a pleasant working environment. We are very satisfied!"