The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently convened a critical gathering of industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in modern infrastructure: the future of cement and concrete. Held on June 9–10 at NREL’s South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, Colorado, the third annual Critical Technologies Meeting brought together over 80 representatives from technology startups, investment firms, academia, industry, corporate institutions, and the national laboratory system. Their mission? To reimagine the second most utilized resource in the world—concrete—and to address the urgent need for modernization in its production and application.
Cement and concrete are the backbone of U.S. infrastructure, accounting for 50% of all materials produced globally. Yet, domestic production remains highly energy-intensive, reliant on outdated technology, and dependent on imports of nearly 30 million metric tons of cement annually. As urbanization accelerates and aging infrastructure demands renewal, the industry faces a critical imperative: to innovate or risk falling behind.
“NREL has the ability to engage the cement and concrete industry at any technology readiness level, from benchtop discovery to implementation, and we serve an important role to the industry as a trusted third-party to provide an honest assessment of new and emerging materials and rapidly transition them to practice,” said John Kevern, an NREL materials science researcher and cohost for the meeting. “There’s no other forum out there for cement and concrete industries to provide relatively direct comments, thoughts, and ideas back to DOE.”
This year’s meeting focused on the shifting landscape of the cement and concrete industry, featuring panels and presentations on funding acquisition, accelerated performance testing, scaling technologies to field deployment, and innovative procurement methods. The event also included an NREL Technology Open House, showcasing emerging technologies in cement, concrete, iron, and steel.
“Innovative cement and concrete are critical because they sit at the intersection of infrastructure reliability and economic development,” said Ana Aday, Kevern’s fellow materials science researcher and cohost for the meeting. “As we face growing demands for durable infrastructure due to increased urbanization and aging construction, we need materials that perform better. Advancing new formulations, accelerating testing protocols, and enabling broader adoption of material alternatives is essential for proving out long-term durability of new materials.”
The meeting was not just about sharing knowledge; it was about sparking action. Participants engaged in candid discussions, brainstormed solutions, and generated actionable ideas to drive innovation in the sector. “I am thrilled to see the participation of so many industry partners to make this a success,” said NREL laboratory program manager Matthew Ringer. “NREL’s ability to gather the right stakeholders shows the trust they have in this team and the shared desire to drive innovation within the cement and concrete sector.”
NREL is leading efforts to modernize cement and concrete production through applied research, demonstration projects, and industry partnerships. Key initiatives include developing LignoCrete, a high-carbon cement extender derived from aviation fuel byproducts, and partnering with startups to transform industrial byproducts into advanced supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) through CO₂ mineralization. Additional research explores 3D-printed concrete for marine environments, the reuse of wind turbine blade residuals in cementitious composites, and the development of “cementless” concrete and lignin-based admixtures.
“At NREL, we like to say this isn’t our first, second, or third rodeo. Sometimes our partners just need someone with experience to help walk them through the application of a new cementitious material or process and provide examples of where others have successfully used something similar,” Kevern said.
The meeting also highlighted the need for faster performance validation, better field data, and alignment around specifications and standards. By creating a space for open dialogue and collaboration, NREL and DOE aimed to identify actionable pathways toward accelerated innovation. “It’s clear that the future is being shaped by the work we do together now and that the momentum the cement and concrete industry has gained of the last few years is still going strong,” Aday said.
As the industry stands at a crossroads, the insights and collaborations fostered at this meeting could very well shape the future of construction. Whether it’s unleashing domestic cement production, minimizing or eliminating imports, or securing long-term infrastructure resilience and economic growth, the time for action is now. The cement and concrete industry is not just building structures; it’s building the foundation for a sustainable future.