AFOCO Technical Day 2024: an essential event for the future of Alternative Materials
The 18th AFOCO Technical Day on Alternative Materials in Lyon on September 27, 2024, with the support of infra2050, was a real success, bringing together professionals from the alternative materials and industries sector around a crucial issue: the development of environmentally friendly and efficient alternative materials in the infrastructure of tomorrow. This event highlighted the challenges and opportunities associated with the management of alternative materials in the construction sector, while promoting a transition to a circular economy.
+120 companies present helped enrich the discussions and share their vision of innovation
Stakeholders committed to a sustainable future
Loic Danest – AFOCO
On the AFOCO Technical Day, Loïc Danest highlighted the association's central role in promoting alternative materials for the circular economy, particularly in the construction sector. He recalled that France produces between 300 and 350 million tonnes of waste per year, 70% of which comes from the BTP.
Danest highlighted the guide GAMA-ILTR, prepared by CEREMA and L'INERIS, which establishes a reference for the recovery of materials as waste. This guide will also serve as a framework for the explicit exit of this status. He expressed the expectations of the trade unions for the rapid publication of this guide, followed by an accelerated investigation of waste release files. This demonstrates the commitment of AFOCO to facilitate the development of alternative materials and to promote sustainable practices in the construction sector.
François Olard and Franck Gautheron – INFRA2050
The representatives of infra2050, the Competitiveness Pole of the Public Works Sector, dedicated to decarbonised and decarbonizing infrastructure, stressed the strategic importance of alternative materials in the transition to sustainable infrastructure. They stressed the crucial role of the pole in promoting industrial co-products in construction, sharing the latest innovations and advances in the field.
Jérome Dherbecourt and Julien Waligora – EIFFAGE ROAD
Eiffage Route addressed the upgrading of electric steelmaking in the bituminous coatings, an eco-responsible process using these co-products as an alternative to natural aggregates. They shared their experiences on road and motorway projects, demonstrating the viability and sustainability of these innovative materials in road infrastructure.
Pierrick Dupuy – ALBIOMA
ALBIOMA, a key player in electricity generation in Réunion, shared its progress in the energy transition and the upgrading of biomass combustion by-products through the ALBIOM-H project. Pierrick Dupuy presented the constitution of a research consortium dedicated to transforming ash and slag into materials useful for construction. This initiative, fully integrated into the CSR policy of ALBIOMA, illustrates the conversion of coal plants to a 100% biomass mix.
Emmanuel Vernus – PROVADEMSE
The presentation by Lorena Gonzalez focused on the use of alternative mineral resources for the manufacture of low carbon cement binders. She explained how industrial by-products can be integrated into binders to reduce carbon footprint and conserve natural resources while meeting the technical and environmental requirements of the construction sector.
Jean-Philippe Bigas – CHRYSO
Saint-Gobain, with its CHRYSO®ICARE range, has demonstrated its role as a facilitator in the decarbonization of the cement industry. Jean-Philippe Bigas presented innovative solutions to optimize concrete formulation and support the transition to carbon-neutral infrastructure. The EnviroMix® range offers tailored solutions to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high performance.
Bruno Dorier – VALOREF
With 30 years of experience in Europe, Valoref shared its model of recycling refractories and ceramics, with a prospect of international expansion. Bruno Dorier explained how Valoref continues to promote recycling worldwide, contributing to the sustainability of materials used in various industrial sectors.
Diane Achard – ECOCEM
Diane Achard highlighted the properties of oversulphate cement, an alternative technical material particularly suitable for large low-carbon infrastructure. ECOCEM offers this hydraulic binder, made up largely of blast furnace slag, as a solution for aggressive environments and as part of major projects, such as the TELT project between Lyon and Turin.
Patrick Rougeau – CERIB
Patrick ROUGEAU presented the progress of the normative work of the Expert Group « Low Carbon Solutions » (GE SBC) and the main works being finalized, stressing the importance of stringent standards for ecological transition.
Martin Cyr – LMDC TOULOUSE
Martin CYR took the floor by revealing the methodological advances to evaluate new binders and additions for concrete, paving the way for even more environmentally friendly and efficient solutions.
Wolfgang Stadler – REMEX
Finally, Wolfgang Stadler presented a unique project to develop REFIOM (residues of domestic waste incineration) in salt mines, demonstrating how these materials can be used to stabilize mining cavities, thereby reducing the risk of collapse and protecting surface infrastructure.
This AFOCO 2024 Technical Day showed that the value of industrial alternative materials is at the heart of solutions for a more sustainable construction. Thanks to innovations in materials management, the industry is working towards a transition to low-carbon infrastructure, while addressing current environmental and economic challenges.
See all the presentations of the AFOCO 2024 technical day > Documentation
