Reformix at Concrete 2023: Resilient & Sustainable Concrete Conference

Reformix attended Concrete 2023, the Biennial National Conference of the Concrete Institute of Australia, held at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre. The conference brought together global leaders in concrete research, design, construction and materials science under the theme “Resilient & Sustainable Concrete: Breaking Down Barriers.” 

Concrete 2023 covered a wide range of technical topics over four days, including sustainability in concrete production, innovative admixtures, circular economy approaches, low-carbon materials, and advances in concrete design and performance. The program featured parallel sessions on materials, durability, sustainability, digital innovation and geopolymers, highlighting how the industry is responding to evolving performance, resilience and emissions challenges - and very topical for the Reformix team.

Engaging with Industry Thought Leadership

For Reformix, attending Concrete 2023 wasn’t just about participation, it was about technical engagement with the community shaping the future of concrete.

Key learnings and observations included:

• Sustainability remains central: Sessions on sustainable concrete materials and lifecycle performance underscored the industry’s increasing focus on reducing embodied emissions and improving resilience.
  

• Materials innovation matters: Presentations on circular economy and concrete materials, including coal combustion products and novel admixtures, aligned with Reformix’s work on material characterisation and alternative binder systems.
  

• Multidisciplinary discussion: The conference enabled cross-cutting conversations between researchers, practitioners and industry partners on durability, digital tools, standards and resilient structures; all critical for deploying new materials at scale.

Networking & Knowledge Exchange

Reformix’s attendance provided opportunities to:

• Connect with industry researchers advancing low-carbon concrete systems

• Benchmark international and national best practices

• Discuss ongoing challenges in material performance, testing, and specification

• Explore collaboration pathways with universities, research centres and material suppliers

These interactions reaffirmed that transitioning concrete systems toward lower carbon and higher performance is a collective effort; one that involves rigorous science, design innovation, and practical engineering pathways.

Technical Resonance

While the conference spanned broad topics across concrete design and construction, the sessions on concrete materials, sustainability frameworks and circular economy pathways particularly resonated with Reformix’s technical interests. The depth and range of research presented underscored both the challenges and opportunities facing the industry as it moves toward more resilient and sustainable solutions.

Closing Reflection

Concrete 2023 marked a strong return to in-person technical exchange, enabling face-to-face dialogue that deepens understanding across academic and industry domains. For Reformix, the conference reinforced the value of rigorous materials science and practical engineering insight in advancing sustainable construction materials.

The work continues.