8th Dry Mix Mortar Conference: The Sector's Future Set in Istanbul

Leading figures in the construction sector gathered at the 8th Central and South Europe Dry Mix Mortar Conference held in Istanbul on 19 September 2024.

Opened by Drymix.info Founder Ferdinand Leopolder, the conference served as an international event where innovations in dry mix mortars and the cement industry were discussed, bringing together the sector's most important names. With broad participation from Turkey and Europe, as well as Ukraine and Asia, the conference focused on innovative technologies and sustainability solutions in the sector.

Comprehensive Participation, International Collaboration

The conference was attended by manufacturers from the dry mix mortar and cement sector, raw material suppliers, academics, architects, consultants and developers. The event, where the latest developments in the sector were discussed, took place with broad participation from South and Central Europe as well as Turkey. Energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and efforts to reduce carbon emissions were among this year's main agenda items.

Sustainability Takes Centre Stage in the Sector

At this year's conference, sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions featured prominently among the discussion topics. In his presentation, Dr. Klas Sorger from Wacker Chemie outlined strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of dry mix mortars and innovations regarding the use of CEM II cements in tile adhesives. Sibel Kurt Sömnez from Çimsa Çimento focused on applications of calcium aluminate cement and sustainable solutions.

Yeşim İnan Ayas from Organik Kimya shared work aimed at reducing the environmental impact of next-generation formulations of cement-based tile adhesives. This presentation demonstrated how new approaches targeting lower carbon emissions in the construction sector can be developed.

Marc Schmitz from Dow followed with a presentation titled "Multi-Directional Cellulose Ethers for Multi-Purpose Use," drawing attention to the varied uses of cellulose ethers in industrial and everyday applications. Schmitz emphasised the fundamental properties of cellulose ethers and how these properties are used across a wide range spanning from building materials to the pharmaceutical sector. Metehan Severoğlu from Oyak Çimento focused on environmentally friendly white cement solutions.

Innovative Technologies and Production Processes

Another important theme of the conference was high-tech solutions. Kutlu Güvenci from m-tec introduced integrated automated production systems for 3D construction printing (3DCP). This technology has the potential to provide labour and time savings in the construction sector, offering more efficient and sustainable projects.

Dr. Alexander Wällisch from Paul Scherrer Institut introduced new mortar technologies used in the solidification of radioactive waste, while Dr. Nevin Karamahmut Mermer from Kalekim presented work on the environmentally friendly disposal of concrete waste.

Lightweight Mortars and Packaging Solutions

David Gonzalez-Amago from Omya noted that work on developing lightweight mortars using expanded perlite microspheres and products manufactured with lightweight materials has generated significant interest in the sector for reducing construction project costs while improving energy efficiency. He emphasised that this technology provides an environmentally friendly solution by reducing material consumption while maintaining structural integrity and improving buildings' thermal insulation performance.

Johan Saba from Imerys shared work on calcium aluminate binders that increase performance in tile flooring solutions.

Solutions for improving efficiency in packaging processes were also among the conference's noteworthy topics. Arjan Bala from Haver & Boecker presented sustainable and efficient packaging solutions, while Emma Helqvist from Billerud explained how innovative packaging technologies can drive transformation in production processes.

A Valuable Meeting for the Sector's Future

The 8th Central and South Europe Dry Mix Mortar Conference stood out as an event where sector professionals came together to exchange knowledge, focused on innovation and sustainability. This gathering, where developments in the sector were discussed, served as a platform for taking important decisions that will shape the future of dry mix mortar technology.

It was emphasised that the conference was a reference not only in terms of sectoral cooperation but also in how global trends can be adapted to local applications. In this context, participants highlighted that innovations such as integrating environmentally conscious projects into production processes represent a revolution in the construction sector, with the conference drawing attention as a platform where new strategies to shape the sector are being formed.