International Conference on “Building Materials in the 21st Century”

(Construction) - Following the success of the International Conference on Building Materials 2019 (ICBM 2019), the Institute of Building Materials (VIBM) organized the International Conference on Building Materials (ICBM 2024) from October 31 to November 3, 2024, in Hanoi, under the auspices of the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam.

The theme of this year's conference is “Building Materials in the 21st Century.” This event also commemorates the 55th Anniversary of the Institute of Building Materials (November 4, 1969 – November 4, 2024).

International Conference on “Building Materials in the 21st Century”

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges in the sector. He noted that the National Assembly, the Government, the Prime Minister, and various ministries, including the Ministry of Construction, have drafted and issued legal documents and directives to guide the sustainable development of construction materials. These include a roadmap and policies aimed at reducing fuel consumption and reliance on natural materials by promoting the use of alternative fuels and utilizing waste heat for electricity generation. Additionally, efforts are being made to reduce emissions of CO2, NOx, SO2, and dust into the environment. Notably, in 2020, the Prime Minister approved the "Strategy for Development of Construction Materials to 2030, with a vision to 2050."

In this context, the 2024 International Scientific Conference on "Building Materials of the 21st Century," organized by the Institute of Building Materials in collaboration with the Vietnam Green Building Council, stands out as a prestigious global event. It brings together numerous scientists, experts, managers, and representatives from social and professional organizations and businesses in the field of building materials from various countries. The conference featured nearly 60 presentations that encompassed a wide range of topics related to construction materials, including cement, concrete, ceramic and glass materials, metal materials, and wood materials.

The conference addressed not only the enhancement of material properties but also focused on the challenges facing the construction materials industry in the 21st century. These challenges include resource shortages, the need for alternative materials, and the development of green and ecological materials. Additionally, there was an emphasis on the construction materials manufacturing industry's responsibility in managing waste from other industries and promoting the advancement of a circular economy.

During the two days of October 31 and November 1, the ICBM 2024 International Scientific Conference was held at the National Convention Center, featuring seven sessions with the following topics: environmentally friendly cement and concrete; sustainable development solutions for construction materials; applications of aluminum and glass as construction materials; the use of waste as construction materials; construction materials for green buildings; construction materials for sustainable infrastructure; and wood and bio-based carbon-containing materials used in construction.