Interviews / 7/10/2024

Circular economy in the concrete industry is the ultimate goal

Sustainability is a growing trend among US concrete manufacturers and the RE-CON line plays a key role in this sector by meeting the needs of more educated customers

Interviewees

Bryan Smith & Drew Bullock

Regional Sales Manager & Assistant Regional Sales Manager, Mapei Corporation (USA)

Bryan Smith and Drew Bullock, Mapei Corporation's sales managers with extensive experience in the concrete industry, talk about current trends in the US concrete industry, heading towards sustainability and innovation.

What is your current position at Mapei?

Bryan Smith, Regional Sales Manager, and Drew Bullock, Assistant Regional Sales Manager, are responsible for sales in the Southeast Region.

How long have you been working in the concrete industry?

Bryan Smith has over 50 years of experience in the concrete industry. His vast experience includes running his own concrete construction company and earning certifications such as ACI Certified Instructor for Commercial / Industrial Flatwork Finishing, ACI Specialist—Surface Treatments, ACI Specialist—High Tolerance Flatwork, and ACI Specialist—Anchor Adhesive Installer. Bryan has worked in admixtures for 26 years and has been with Mapei for six years. Drew Bullock has over 17 years of experience in the concrete industry, primarily in bulk cement sales. He is a LEED Green Associate and a Certified Masonry Professional.

According to you, what are the current main trends in the concrete industry? Is sustainability a crucial issue for the concrete manufacturers you usually deal with?

Current trends in the concrete industry include sustainability, material innovation, automation, digitalization, and the circular economy. Sustainability continues to be a growing trend in the industry, and most innovation in today's market stems from that mindset. Over the coming months, we'll continue to see the rebranding of major companies as they promote green initiatives. Material innovation will keep the industry at the forefront of what is possible as cement companies transition from type l cement to type lL and ultimately to new types. A circular economy in the concrete industry is the ultimate goal, and we've made great strides in recent years. Our RE-CON line is a prime example of innovation in the industry, allowing concrete producers to eliminate waste in returned concrete.

What are the main factors that encourage sustainability and which obstacles are there, on the other hand, towards manufacturing more sustainable concrete?

A sustainable mindset is paramount, or the needs of present projects could negatively impact future generations. The obstacles to manufacturing more sustainable concrete are cost, availability of resources, logistics, and quality. In the past, early adopters and those willing to pay a premium sought green initiatives. Presently, green products are cost-competitive in the mass market, with a more educated customer that will demand their use on projects.

How are the re-con line products affecting the business of mapei solutions in your market segment?

The RE-CON product line has helped the Southeast region sales team grow sales with nontraditional Mapei customers. RE-CON products meet the needs of the modern customer, who demands sustainable products. While still in the early stages of promoting the RE-CON line, we see an opportunity to sell additional products within an expanded customer base.

What are the winning characteristics of this line according to your experience of the market? what can you expect from it in the next few years?

RE-CON products provide a quick way for customers to transition returned concrete into a reusable base material. This allows customers to sell the product and eliminates the need for concrete crushing equipment. RE-CON line customers will also be able to blend recycled aggregates into the concrete mix, reducing mix cost and the use of virgin aggregates. Compared to competitors' products, customers like the portability and consistency of RE-CON. Over the next few years, our portfolio of RE-CON line customers will grow as we increase brand awareness and customers divest of concrete crushing equipment.