This Symposium hosted by the Institute of Concrete Technology on Net Zero Carbon Concrete had ten presentations spanning the available options from what is desirable through to what can be achieved at a practical and economic level. It is clear that concrete's carbon legacy is a global problem and is being addressed nationally and internationally. Ian Riley Chaired the two-day event.

From mining to trading, from coal procurement to end users, Coaltrans Global 2021 provided a digital meeting place for existing and potential partners. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with our expert speakers & content from wherever they were in the world at a time of limited international travel and unprecedented market behaviour. Ian Riley participated in a conversation with WCA Board Member and CUCC Chairman Cui Xingtai on thermal coal demand and sustainability in the Chinese cement market.

The Decarb Connect Digital Festival was an international meeting that champions the strategies & solutions that will fast track the decarbonisation of the toughest-to-abate sectors. Ian Riley participated in a fireside chat entitled "The Road to Carbon Neutrality: Lessons Learned to Date" With Blue Planet CEO Brent Constantz.

The WCA 2020 General Assembly took place on 10th December in a fully virtual format online, open to all WCA members, including the election of a new Board of Directors, a discussion of outlook for 2021 from the Board, updates from WCA activities, member services and finances throughout 2020, and guest speakers. 

WCA's first virtual member forum - an adapted format due to the COVID-19 pandemic - was held over-two days in collaboration with Associate Corporate Member FLSmidth. It consisted of shared presentations, a live site visit and in-depth Q&A sessions for attendees. Attendees included Plant Managers, Engineering Managers, Automation Managers and Process Engineers.  

The World Cement Association partnered with Climate Action's Sustainable Innovation Forum, which took place virtually in place of their planned event at the postponed COP26. Over the last 10 years, the SIF has played a key role in facilitating the connections that forge the cross-sector partnerships required to address the global climate emergency and transition to a net-zero economy.

Applying the latest technology in automation and machine learning AI to management of cement plants offer significant benefits in terms of cost, product quality and emissions. AI can be applied to the whole management system of the plant from quarrying to dispatch.

This first-of-its-kind WCA forum saw 20 delegates attend a two-day workshop at Quanjiao Conch and Zanhuang BBMG in China to visit examples of best practice in the industry with regards to smart plants and AI. 

In 2019, the WCA hosted its third annual conference from 9th-11th September at the Hyatt Hotel in Shanghai, China. This event brought together delegates from across the world, representing companies from the cement and concrete industry and its supply chains. 

Keynote speakers included Mr Song Zhiping, Chairman of CNBM and Mr Gao Dengbang, Chairman of the China Cement Association, whilst the speaker topics covered included global outlooks, emission reduction practices, the use of AI and waste co-processing.