Toowoomba-based Wagners Construction Materials, owned by the Wagner family, has been nominated for an international award for their Earth-Friendly Concrete (EFC) innovation, as reported in an article titled “Earth friendly concrete gains admirers” by Queensland Country Life Magazine.
The Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA) has endorsed Wagners, who is in the running for a prestigious American Concrete Institute (ACI) Award. The ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards Gala will be held Monday, October 24, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA, USA during ACI’s Concrete Convention & Exposition. The ceremony will celebrate innovation and inspire excellence throughout the global concrete design and construction community. The Awards provide a platform to recognize concrete projects at the forefront of innovation and technology, and showcases these projects to inspire excellence in concrete design and construction around the world.
Joe Wagner, Director-Wagners’ EFC Division, said it was a huge coup to be in contention for an award. “We are extremely proud of EFC, particularly in its application at the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport project, which formed the basis of our ACI submission. The Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport project was the largest application of modern geopolymer concrete in the world, which created a total carbon emission reduction across the project of 6,600 tons compared to using conventional concrete,” said Mr Wagner.
He added, “EFC contains no Portland cement, instead we use recycled waste products—blast furnace slag from steel production and fly ash from coal fired power—creating a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
More than 40,000 m3 of EFC was used in the construction of the heavy duty aircraft pavements that form the taxiway, apron and turning node areas as well as other civil and building works throughout the airport precinct. EFC has received numerous national awards in Australia, including recognition for its use in the Global Change Institute building in Brisbane.
Mr. Wagner said ironically, the majority of its applications would most likely be in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. “We are already working in countries where the regulatory authorities can see the benefits of using our product and are motivated toward ecological change.
Mr. Wagner said, “The United States is the biggest user of concrete pavement in the world, especially in roads and airfields, therefore the company would soon set its sights on the USA market.”
For the article titled “Earth friendly concrete gains admirers” by Queensland Country Life Magazine, please go to: http://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/4130398/a-concrete-innovation/.
For more information on the ACI Exposition and Awards, please go to: https://www.concrete.org/aboutaci/honorsandawards/awards/projectawards.aspx.
Home Page Photo: Queensland Country Life Magazine: More than 40,000 m3 of Earth Friendly Concrete was used in the construction of the heavy duty aircraft pavements at the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.
