2024 - INTERCEM's Year in Review

We wrapped up our INTERCEM program this year in Houston, aka ‘Space City’ - the home of NASA. The final presentation of the year explored NASA's pioneering work on technologies to produce cement-based structures on the Moon within the next eight years. This fascinating case study highlights science, artificial intelligence, new technologies, innovative construction methods, and out-of-the-box thinking. These themes resonate closely with many of the conversations we’ve had this year about the future of the global ‘terrestrial’ cement industry – including finding novel cementitious materials to replace clinker.?

As we journeyed across the world in 2024 — from Rome to Dubai, New Orleans, Hanoi, Istanbul, and finally Houston — the role of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) and industry efforts to reduce the clinker content of cement has been a key focus (not from lunar materials but from slags, ashes, pozzolana and clay!). This is a cornerstone of the Global Cement and Concrete Association’s Roadmap to achieving a net-zero cement industry.

Global trade plays an essential role in sourcing SCMs and redistributing clinker and cement resources from existing production facilities to the markets that need them most. This year, INTERCEM delegates visited Vietnam and Türkiye, the two largest cement and clinker exporters, as well as the USA, the world’s largest cement importer. From regional conflicts and shifting regulations to the growing discourse around tariffs and trade barriers, trade remained a central theme. Thanks to expert insights shared at INTERCEM events, our delegates stayed ahead of the curve, equipped with the knowledge to navigate these complex dynamics.

In 2024, we also welcomed ASHTRANS Conferences and ASHES Transglobal Magazine into the INTERCEM family. Together with our colleague Ivan Skidmore , we’re excited to take AshTrans global. No matter where in the world you are, if you’re interested in SCMs and ashes, there will be new opportunities to connect, learn, and do business in your region.

In the office here in London, we’ve also welcomed Sean Kershaw as our new program producer. Sean joined us in the spring and has already delivered outstanding agendas for Istanbul and Houston. If you’re interested in speaking at one of our conferences, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Sean — he’d love to hear from you! After more than 12 years of designing INTERCEM programmes, I’m excited to pass the torch to Sean and focus on operations and growing INTERCEM for the future.

Looking ahead, 2025 will be a landmark year for INTERCEM as we celebrate 40 years of serving the global cement industry. We’ll be marking this milestone at all our events next year — in Dubai, Bangkok, Istanbul, and Miami. But the highlight of the year will undoubtedly be our special conference and celebration next June in London, where it all began in 1985.?

This flagship event will reflect on 40 years of evolution in cement production and trading, while also looking ahead to the future. How might the industry evolve by 2064? Could we even see an INTERCEM on the Moon? One thing is certain: the journey ahead is as exciting as the one we’ve travelled so far.

If you have any old photos or memories that you would like to share (especially from the 80s and 90s) I'd love to hear from you!

As we close out the year, I want to thank everyone who has supported INTERCEM in 2024. From our sponsors and exhibitors to our speakers and delegates, you make every conference a success. It has been another incredible twelve months, and we have welcomed more than 2,000 attendees to INTERCEM in 2024 – more than in any previous calendar year!? Here’s to another exciting year ahead — we can’t wait to celebrate 40 years of INTERCEM with all of you in 2025!

?? All photos - INTERCEM Conferences

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