On September 19, 2024, key figures in the construction industry gathered in Istanbul for the 8th Central and Southern Europe Dry Mix Mortar Conference.
Opened by drymix.info founder Ferdinand Leopolder, the conference brought together prominent industry figures to discuss innovations in dry mix mortars and the cement industry. With participants from Türkiye, Europe, Ukraine, and Asia, the event focused on innovative technologies and sustainability solutions in the sector.
Broad Participation and International Collaboration
The conference attracted a diverse audience, including producers, raw material suppliers, academics, architects, consultants, and developers from the dry mix mortar and cement sectors. With a strong presence from Central and Southern Europe, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and efforts to reduce carbon emissions were the main topics of discussion this year.
Sustainability in the Spotlight
Sustainability and eco-friendly solutions were key discussion points at this year’s event. Dr. Klas Sorger from Wacker Chemie presented strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of dry mix mortars and innovations in using CEM II cements in tile adhesives. Sibel Kurt Sönmez from Çimsa Cement focused on the application areas of calcium aluminate cement and its sustainable solutions.
Yeşim İnan Ayas from Organik Kimya shared her work on reducing the environmental impact of new-generation formulations for cement-based tile adhesives. Her presentation highlighted new approaches aimed at lowering carbon emissions in the construction industry.
Next, Marc Schmitz from Dow delivered a presentation titled “Versatile Cellulose Ethers for Multi-Purpose Use,” emphasizing the wide range of applications for cellulose ethers, from building materials to the pharmaceutical industry. Metehan Severoğlu from Oyak Cement focused on eco-friendly white cement solutions.
Innovative Technologies and Production Processes
High-tech solutions were another major theme of the conference. Kutlu Güvenç from m-tec introduced integrated automated production systems for 3D construction printing (3DCP), showcasing the potential of this technology to save both time and labor in construction, while also promoting more sustainable and efficient projects.
Dr. Alexander Wällisch from the Paul Scherrer Institute presented new mortar technologies used in the solidification of radioactive waste, and Dr. Nevin Karamahmut Mermer from Kalekim discussed environmentally friendly methods for the disposal of concrete waste.
Lightweight Mortars and Packaging Solutions
David Gonzalez-Amago from Omya spoke about the development of lightweight mortars using expanded perlite microspheres, which have garnered significant interest in the industry. These materials reduce construction costs while increasing energy efficiency by improving the thermal insulation performance of buildings, all while maintaining structural integrity and reducing material consumption.
Johan Saba from Imerys shared his research on calcium aluminate binders for performance improvements in tile adhesive solutions.
Efficiency-enhancing packaging solutions were also a focal point. Arjan Bala from Haver & Boecker presented sustainable and efficient packaging solutions, while Emma Helqvist from Billerud discussed how innovative packaging technologies are transforming production processes.
A Valuable Gathering for the Future of the Industry
The 8th Central and Southern Europe Dry Mix Mortar Conference stood out as a crucial event for industry professionals to exchange knowledge, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. It provided a platform for discussing developments that will shape the future of dry mix mortar technology.
The conference not only fostered sectoral collaboration but also served as a guide on how global trends can be adapted to local applications. Participants emphasized that integrating environmentally conscious projects into production processes could revolutionize the construction industry, underscoring the conference's role in shaping new strategies that will steer the future of the sector.
