A snapshot review of future-oriented standards for cement, admixtures, and concrete: How Africa can spearhead the implementation of green urban construction materials

Abstract

The existing cement and concrete standards are not capable of making full use of the current technology capacity due to strong focus on conventional concrete and thus they are not fit for the current and future challenges of construction industry. The paper highlights shortcomings with regard to the implementation of the existing standards. It can be seen that future-oriented standards are generally required to contribute to a lower-carbon footprint of the industry. These changes are significantly more relevant in sub-Saharan Africa, due to the rapidly increasing urbanisation challenge and the enormous potentials to develop lower-carbon technologies than elsewhere in the world. Graphical abstract

Five recommendations to accelerate sustainable solutions in cement and concrete through partnership

“…To date, European standards are widely applied in many parts of the world outside Europe, where the framework significantly diverges from the conditions assumed in the EN standards. National annexes can address the gap left on adopting and using conventional building materials, especially cement originating from the Global North [77], but they cannot cope with the historic framework of the fundamental standard concept [78] This situation consciously or unconsciously often even implies a colonial legacy to be maintained in the Global South [79]. The ideal type and chemistry of cement is dependent on the area of application.…”