Platform on concrete and steel in construction
Registration for the 2026 Concrete Award is now open. This prestigious award, which has been presented every two years since 1979, is considered one of the most important recognitions in the Dutch concrete industry. The winners will be announced on Thursday, November 19, during the Concrete Event. But what makes a project a strong contender, what does the jury look for, and why is this award so important to the industry?
Maikel Jagroep, director of the Concrete Association, hopes to see a large number of entries again this year. Traditionally, the jury reviews about forty to fifty projects. Only projects that have actually been completed by September 1, 2026, are eligible. “Only once a project has been completed can you assess whether the quality promised on paper has actually been delivered,” explains Jagroep. “It’s not about drawings or ambitions, but about the end result.”
According to jury member Bart van Kampen, concrete remains a unique material because it can be used and finished in countless ways. “Concrete can be raw, rough, smooth, polished, sandblasted, or colored. You can do just about anything with it. It is precisely this craftsmanship that we want to showcase with the Concrete Award.”
“Each submission is evaluated based on predetermined criteria, which depend in part on the category in which the project is entered,” explains jury chair Peter Gossink. A project may be entered in no more than two of the six categories. Gossink emphasizes the importance of a solid rationale and says, “It’s not our job to figure out why a project is special. The evaluation criteria are known. Show in the submission why the project meets those criteria. A few photos without an explanation are simply insufficient.”
Van Kampen adds: “We evaluate not only the quality of the work, but also the story behind it. What makes this project innovative? What challenge was solved? How does it contribute to the development of the sector?”
In the “Groundbreaking Construction” category in particular, the jury is looking for projects that break new ground. “This could involve innovative concrete mixtures, smart construction methods, challenging structures, or innovative aesthetic applications,” says Van Kampen. Sustainability is also playing an increasingly important role. Every year, the jury sees new developments emerge, such as basalt reinforcement, alternatives to cement to reduce CO2 emissions, recycled concrete, and the reuse of existing concrete structures. In addition, structures are being designed to be increasingly slimmer, requiring less material. “Developments are happening incredibly fast,” says Gossink. “The competition encourages companies to keep pushing the boundaries. Ultimately, that benefits the entire sector.”
The impact of a Concrete Award should not be underestimated. Gossink himself has won the award twice in the past. “You feel incredibly proud at a moment like that. It’s a recognition for everyone who worked on the project.” Van Kampen agrees. He won the award last year and says, “It’s not just a reward for a successful project, but also an incentive for innovation, professional expertise, and knowledge sharing. The award shows what’s possible with concrete and inspires others to raise the bar even higher.”
In addition to the jury prizes, the People’s Choice Award is also presented during the Beton Event. From among the eighteen nominated projects, the public votes for its favorite on the day of the event. This additional recognition underscores that the Beton Prize is not just about technology, but above all about projects that resonate with people.
Have you worked on a special project you’re proud of? A project that excels in design, execution, sustainability, or innovation? Then now is the perfect time to submit your project for the biennial Concrete Award. Show us what sets your project apart and be in the running for the 2026 Concrete Award. In addition to the six category awards, a People’s Choice Award will also be presented. All nominated projects are eligible for this award. Visitors to the Beton Event will cast their votes for the project that inspires them the most, regardless of category. Would you like to enter your project and have a chance to be nominated for the Concrete Award or the People’s Choice Award? Then submit your entry at: https://www.betonvereniging.nl/betonprijs. The deadline for submissions is September 11, 2026.
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The Concrete Association, founded jointly by government and industry in 1927, is the platform for individuals and organizations, who wish to share knowledge about the material concrete. It forms, through the composition of its members, a knowledge infrastructure for the acquisition of knowledge, the joint recognition of knowledge questions and the promotion of the development of new [...].
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