Welcome to the Michigan Concrete Association. Here you will find resources for ready mix producers, pavers, engineers, contractors, suppliers & homeowners. You can also register for one of our upcoming certification classes or events.

Buildings and structures manufactured with concrete can have a significant impact on the environment throughout their life cycles. How much of an impact, will depend on the sustainability of the concrete mix used in construction—and the makeup of the mix used will depend on the requirements or specifications put in place before a project begins.

In order to create truly sustainable buildings made from environmentally friendly concrete, design professionals, contractors and material suppliers must work together while still complying with the requirements put in place.

To understand how specifications for a concrete project requirement can impact sustainability, you first need to understand the two types of requirements most frequently imposed.

As the population grows, adding buildings to accommodate more people moving to cities is a necessary step. Buildings are responsible for approximately 39% of the annual global greenhouse emissions. Building operations alone results in 28% of the annual global CO₂ emissions. So, building materials that are designed to meet new regulations and environmental standards will be key in creating a sustainable future.

The Romans may have mastered the use of concrete over 2,000 years ago (just take a look at the Pantheon in Rome), but that doesn’t mean it’s the same time of material it was back then. Concrete has always combined an aggregate with a hydraulic binder to form a strong and durable substance, but concrete has come a long way over the past 2,000 years. Today, the industry is still evolving and innovating.