The blueprint for the future of cement is being drawn in Dallas!
The transition to carbon-negative materials isn’t just a goal for the future, it’s the reality of the 2026 market. We are excited to announce Jialai Wang, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, speaking on
Engineering Next-Generation SCMs for Carbon Sequestration, Faster Strength Gain, and Higher Cement Efficiency. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are widely used to reduce the cost and carbon footprint of concrete, yet most commercially available SCMs slow early-age strength development, limiting their broader adoption in practice.
This presentation introduces an integrated approach to engineering next-generation SCMs that combine carbon sequestration, accelerated strength gain, and improved cement efficiency. We will discuss our recent advances in converting recycled concrete fines into value-added SCMs through a regulated CO₂ mineralization process. By actively controlling carbonation reactions at the particle level, this technology transforms low-reactivity demolition waste into a reactive SCM that canenhances early-age hydration and strength. Building on this concept, we further demonstrate the development of a new class of concrete strength enhancers derived from similar reaction-control and functionalization principles.
These materials not only accelerate early-age strength but also improve later-age performance, enabling significant reductions in cement content while meeting strength requirements. The combined benefits offer a practical, scalable pathway toward faster, lower-cost, and lower-carbon concrete for industrial deployment
About the speaker
Dr. Jialai Wang is a Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. He joined the University of Alabama in 2006 as an Assistant Professor, was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2011, and advanced to Full Professor in 2017. Dr. Wang’s research focuses on enhancing the resilience, sustainability, and performance of the built environment through transformative materials innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
His work spans CO₂ mineralization, advanced composite materials, thermal energy storage and building energy efficiency, waste valorization and critical mineral recovery, and the advanced manufacturing of low-carbon cementitious materials. Dr. Wang has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed journal publications and holds 10 U.S. patents, including one licensed for commercial application. As Principal Investigator, he has led $15.2 million in competitively awarded research funding from agencies including the NSF, DOE, and NASA, and has contributed as Co-PI to an additional $9.0 million in NSF-funded projects.
3 Days. 2 Landmark Events. 1 Future for the Cement Industry
This March, the eyes of the global cementitious sector will be on Dallas. We are hosting a back-to-back series of congresses designed to solve the industry’s two greatest challenges: Sustainable Technology and Leadership Evolution.
Why choose one when you can lead in both?
Part 1: Cementitious Materials TechTrade Congress Americas (March 11–12)
Focus: Navigating the Net-Zero transition and supply chain dynamics. Hear from: C-Suite leaders and scientists from CRH, Heidelberg Materials, CEMEX, and UT Austin: The “What” and “How” of future materials.
Part 2: Women in Cement & Construction Congress Americas (March 12–13)
Focus: Driving profitability through inclusive leadership and innovation. Hear from: Top female executives from CRH, CIMPOR, EllisDon, and the Concrete Advancement Foundation: The “Who” and “Where” of future leadership
Get the full program event brochure at contact@industrylink.eu. If you want to join our 2026 events as speakers or exhibitors please reach out to Mariana Gheorghe, Program and Marketing Manager at mariana.gheorghe@industrylink.eu. Follow us on our social media channels!
More details about our two events and onine tickets here: https://industrylink.eu/event/women-in-cemco-international-congress-americas-2026/ and https://industrylink.eu/event/cementitious-materials-international-congress-americas-2026/
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Find out more about the future of building sustainably. Discover the latest in cement industry innovations, best practices, and decarbonization efforts at our upcoming events – join us to shape a greener world!
Email us at contact@industrylink.eu for program brochures and future events.
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Other events in 2026:
ESG and Sustainability International Summit and Industry 5.0 Conference and Exhibition – June 10-11, 2026; Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
A premier regional platform for industry leaders to discuss sustainability, ESG strategies, and regulatory advancements in cement and construction. This event brings together thought leaders and corporate professionals from around the world to explore the latest trends in sustainable finance, legal frameworks, and industry innovations.
We are also including panel discussions on Industry 5.0 to discuss how AI and Automation and other smart solutions are contributing to the decarbonization of the cement & construction industry.
The event is designed to inspire, educate, and empower corporate attendees to drive sustainable progress and create a positive impact on our planet and society, previous editions were held in Madeira, Portugal and Cairo, Egypt in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Cementitious Materials International technical and Trade Congress EMEA December 2026, Location TBA
The EMEA edition of the Cementitious Materials International technical and Trade Congress is poised to build om success stories of past events – the first edition was held in Casablanca, Morocco in April 2024 and the second edition was also held in Cairo earlier this year.
This is once again an opportunity to network with your peers and leaders in the industry, gain first-hand insights on regional trends, learn from industry experts about the latest market dynamics, regulatory changes and future outlook of cementitious materials in the region.
See link for the summary of the last edition – Cementitious Materials International TechTrade Congress – EMEA | Cairo, Egypt | June 3-4, 2025 (Overview here)
CarbonZero Alternative Fuels & Raw Materials Global Conference & Exhibition 2026 to include Cementitious Europe – Congress, Date TBA October 2026; Location: Belgium
This premier global platform, CarbonZero brings together senior decision-makers to accelerate the transition to Net Zero in cement and construction. The conference will explore green alternatives—ranging from alternative fuels and raw materials to clinker substitutes-alongside emerging technologies, carbon capture, financing and investment strategies, policy developments, and industry standards. This C-level gathering convenes leaders from cement manufacturing, construction, technology, research, academia, and regulatory institutions—united in shaping actionable and sustainable solutions.
Women In CemCo EMEA TBA
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