The European Rebar Council (ERC), a sectorial alliance of EuCIA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NEx: An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials.
The agreement formally recognizes the ERC as an Allied Organization of NEx and establishes a framework for the two organizations to combine their resources and expertise in support of the wider adoption of non-metallic materials across the built environment.
Corrosion remains one of the principal threats to the durability of conventional construction materials, with direct consequences for the lifecycle costs, sustainability and safety of infrastructure. Under the MOU, the ERC and NEx will work together to support the development of the codes, specifications and technical knowledge needed for the effective use of composite reinforcement, while helping to assure manufacturing quality and the competent installation, testing and inspection of non-metallic products.
As an Allied Organization of NEx, the ERC is recognized as uniquely positioned to guide the regional and national development of standards and specifications for composite rebar within Europe, and to facilitate cross-regional collaboration between North America, Europe, India and Asia. The partnership will support the promotion of non-metallic reinforcement solutions across the European construction and infrastructure industries, including through the provision of tools such as modelling solutions appropriate for European and other markets.
Activities envisaged under the agreement include identifying and facilitating the development of consensus-based construction codes that allow for the use of non-metallic materials, supplying designers, contractors and owners with the knowledge required to specify composite reinforcement with confidence, and identifying gaps in technical knowledge for referral to relevant Standards Developing Organizations. The two organizations will also collaborate on research into new non-metallic technologies, and on the professional development and course content needed by design and construction professionals to apply proven non-metallic solutions.
Dr. Christopher Skinner, Chairman of the European Rebar Council: “This agreement connects the European Rebar Council with a global network of expertise and resource through NEx and the American Concrete Institute. Corrosion-resistant, non-metallic reinforcement has a critical role to play in extending the life and safety of our infrastructure, and this partnership will help ensure that composite rebar becomes a competitive, approved, performing, reliable and available material for the European Building, Construction and Infrastructure Industries.”
Jerzy Z. Zemajtis, PhD, PE, Executive Director, Nex: “This MOU represents another important step toward building a global framework for the advancement of non-metallic reinforcement. By partnering with the European Rebar Council, we are bringing together regional expertise and international collaboration to accelerate the development of codes, standards, education, and research that will increase confidence in these innovative materials.”
About Nex
An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials: NEx is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and works as a global hub for non-metallic materials and technologies in the built environment. NEx supports and facilitates research, education and the adoption of design and construction codes for non-metallic materials, addressing industry challenges relating to sustainability, productivity, carbon footprint, durability and lifecycle costs.
