News - June 2026
- Brian Lemay
- 21 minutes ago
- 3 min read
ConcreteNexus Webinar:
Cements for Modern Concrete Construction
The demands on concrete are increasing - from fast‑track construction to ultra‑flat floors and more resilient, sustainable materials. This presentation introduces Titan America’s TriForce Cement, an engineered blend developed with producers and contractors to address real‑world challenges such as water demand, finishability, and long‑term durability. By integrating multiple materials into one consistent, predictable solution, TriForce also maintains flexibility for additional SCMs at the plant. The webinar will be led by Eric Koehler, Ph.D., P.E., Vice President of Innovation at Titan America, whose career in R&D and concrete technology has advanced high‑performance, low‑carbon ready‑mixed concrete across the industry.Â
Breaking News:
Building Resilience Coalition Appoints Lionel Lemay as New Chairperson
The Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition (PNBRC) has named Lionel Lemay as its new Chairperson, effective June 1, 2026. Lemay, Founder and CEO of ConcreteNexus LLC, brings more than three decades of leadership in engineering, sustainability, and industry advocacy. His career includes senior roles at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, the Portland Cement Association, and Hansen Lind Meyer.
Diane Warner, Executive Director of the Northwest Cement Council, welcomed the appointment, noting that Lemay’s experience will help guide the Coalition into its next decade of advancing resilient construction across the region. Lemay succeeds Bill Larson, who is retiring after 10 years of service. Lemay praised Larson’s leadership and emphasized his commitment to building on the Coalition’s strong foundation.
PNBRC unites the cement, concrete, masonry, and reinforcing steel industries to promote resilient, low‑carbon construction throughout the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.
CSC Webinar:
CSC Recognized in LEED v5: New Opportunities for Sustainable Construction Materials.
June 24, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Eastern | Register
This session explores how CSC certification is now formally recognized within LEED v5, creating new pathways for low‑carbon, resilient, and responsibly sourced construction materials to contribute to project goals. Featuring insights from CSC experts Cynthia Imesch, Lionel Lemay, Tobias Laurens, and sustainability consultant Kristina Wagner, the webinar will break down what LEED v5 means for concrete producers, designers, and project teams across global markets. Attendees will learn how CSC-certified concrete can strengthen sustainability strategies, support climate‑resilient construction, and align with evolving market expectations.
ConcreteNexus Webinar:
Closing the Loop: The Science Behind Carbonation and Circular Concrete
Concrete naturally absorbs carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere over its lifetime through a chemical process called carbonation, permanently converting the gas into solid calcium carbonate. As part of CalPortland’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and lower-carbon construction materials, this presentation will explore the science behind carbonation, CO₂ reabsorption, and emerging approaches advancing circular concrete systems and material recovery.
Karin Perissinotto, Sustainability Manager at CalPortland, brings over 25 years of experience advancing low‑carbon strategies and industry best practices. She is joined by Dr. Luis Baquerizo, Director of CalPortland’s central research laboratory, who has an extensive background in cement chemistry and product innovation across leading research institutions and industry roles. Together, they will connect sustainability leadership with practical applications of materials science as they explore the carbonation process and emerging pathways for circular concrete systems.
Future of Concrete Webinar:
EPD 101 for Ready-Mix Producers: Managing EPDs, GWP Limits, and Carbon Specs
July 22, 2026 | 2:00 pm Eastern, 11:00 am Pacific | Register
This session breaks down what Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are, why project teams increasingly require them, and how producers can streamline the process across sales, QC, and leadership. You’ll learn how to spot GWP limits and low‑carbon requirements in bid documents, DOT programs, and private project specs—before they become last‑minute surprises. The webinar includes live demos: one showing how a spec‑summarizing tool can quickly identify EPD, GWP, and low‑carbon concrete requirements, and another demonstrating how producers can instantly access EPDs, compare mix GWP values, and generate whole‑project carbon reports in minutes. This session is ideal for anyone looking to simplify carbon reporting and stay ahead of evolving specifications.
ConcreteNexus Webinar On-Demand:
Use of Mineral Fines to Reduce Carbon Emissions, Decrease Production Cost, and Improve Durability​ (On-Demand)
This webinar explores how precisely graded mineral fines can transform concrete performance while lowering both environmental impact and operational costs. By improving particle packing and increasing mix density, producers can significantly reduce cement content while improving strength, durability, or workability, often saving $5 to $20 per cubic yard while meaningfully shrinking their carbon footprint. View the webinar to learn how this practical, field‑proven approach delivers stronger, more sustainable concrete and measurable bottom‑line benefits.
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ConcreteNexus LLC is an international consulting firm specializing in education, certifications, building codes and standards advocacy, as well as business development services for the concrete industry.
