ACI Foundation 2025 Concrete Innovation Forum Inspires Collaboration and Progress
The ACI Foundation 2025 Concrete Innovation Forum brought together industry leaders, academics, and innovators to advance discussions on technology and sustainable practices in the concrete industry. This year’s forum was held at the Hotel Clio in Denver, CO, USA, on August 12-14. Presentations highlighted the critical role of stakeholder engagement, life-cycle analysis (LCA), and the benefits of collaboration among project teams. The forum brought together designers, contractors, material experts, and academics to discuss the best practices for assessing new technologies or methods so that innovative solutions can be scaled up and brought to the market.
One of the featured presentations was “Early Application of Biochar in Concrete through Stakeholder Education and Buy-in,” delivered by David Shook and Garrett Benisch. The presenters highlighted stakeholder alignment as a central factor for project success. They noted that innovations in concrete are often regional and stressed the necessity of including all critical players, especially concrete finishers, when scaling up new technologies.
Another key discussion, “Using Pozzolanic Reactivity to Optimize Concrete Mixtures for Performance, Cost and Sustainability,” was presented by Jason Weiss, FACI. Weiss encouraged the concrete industry to use LCA data when evaluating concrete mixtures. He discussed the importance of using volume-to-volume replacement rather than a mass-based approach when replacing cement with alternate cementitious materials. Weiss also shared ongoing efforts in removing unnecessary minimum cement specifications where feasible, underscoring the need for the industry to embrace performance-based criteria for greater sustainability.
The presentation “Leveraging the National Laboratories for Innovation of the Cement and Concrete Industry,” given by John Kevern, FACI, and Ana Aday, provided a comprehensive overview of the capabilities of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and how its resources can benefit both industry and academia in developing and scaling new technologies. Kevern and Aday explained how the NREL can help technology owners assess their technology or create roadmaps to develop technology and ensure it is prepared for market readiness. Prior to the start of the forum, Kevern and Aday hosted a small group for a tour of the South Table Mountain Campus, whose work supports the advancement of the cement and concrete industry.
The 2026 Concrete Innovation Forum is scheduled for August 18-20, 2026, in Columbus, OH, USA. For more information, visit www.acifoundation.org/innovation/ forums.aspx.
Announcing the 2025 ACI Foundation Annual Appeal
The ACI Foundation’s mission is rooted in building the future of the concrete industry. With the support of donors, the Foundation makes strategic investments in ideas, research, and people to use concrete effectively and sustainably to meet the demands of a changing world. This is achieved by driving research, supporting promising students, and fostering innovation that uplifts the entire industry. Your support plays an important role as the 2025 ACI Foundation Annual Appeal is launched. Support is needed for three key programs that make a lasting difference.
The Veterans Rebate Program honors U.S. military veterans, supporting their transition into the concrete industry. Honorably discharged U.S. military veterans who attain ACI certification in any program can apply for a 250 USD rebate. Every 5000 USD raised enables the Foundation to support 20 veterans. To keep this initiative sustainable for years to come, we need partnership and continued generosity. Without additional funding, the program will close at the end of 2025.
The student support program focuses on the Foundation’s commitment to students and the future of the industry. Through scholarships and fellowships, the ACI Foundation has helped over 400 students worldwide with educational costs and brought them to ACI Concrete Conventions, where they present their research, connect with industry leaders, and become actively involved in ACI technical committees. These experiences not only support academic growth but also set the stage for meaningful contributions to the field. The student program boasts an industry retention rate of over 90% with nearly 70% of awardees continuing their engagement with ACI. The number of awards offered annually has more than doubled (from 21 to 48) since the ACI Foundation started formally fundraising in 2018. With help, even more students can be engaged in the concrete community, helping advance knowledge, innovation, and safety for communities everywhere.
The ACI Foundation research program helps to solve industry challenges, equips ACI committees with critical data, and engages graduate student researchers, helping them connect with the broader ACI community. The number of research projects the ACI Foundation has funded has also doubled with formal fundraising activities. Give today and help build the future. One hundred percent of mission-directed donations go directly to students, research, and innovation. To donate today and make an impact, visit www.acifoundation.org/giving.aspx.