The main objective of the ECO-SERVE Network is to identify the needs of the European Construction Industry in its move towards improved sustainability. The network will contribute to this by developing tools, specifications, guidelines and recommendations. It is also a primary objective of the network to define the needs for activities in the form of collateral research, political activities or large

integrated projects which are considered vital for the desired evolution of the industry.

The ECO-SERVE Thematic Network is focused on the cement and concrete industry and can be considered a prototype action illustrating the feasibility of applying Thematic Networks as a tool in facilitating improvements in the industry in general.

Besides a management work package, four Clusters have been established:

Cluster 1 deals with the use of alternative materials in cement production as fuel or raw materials. The environmental benefits and drawbacks of the cements will be studied in this cluster. An important part of the work will be data collation with regard to the current status of alternative materials used in cement production. Also, information about trace element contents in cements, binding mechanisms

of trace elements, leaching test results and existing European member states regulations will be presented. The aim is to propose criteria and control measures for the valuation of existing leaching tests.

Cluster 2 considers the production and application of blended cements in Europe. The activities mainly consist of data collation and evaluation of cements according to EN 197-1. However, cements with a composition beyond the limits of EN 197-1 will also be studied.

Cluster 3 is the result of a combination of two original RTD project proposals, namely ‘Modern aggregate processes towards zero waste’ and ‘The production of concrete’. Both projects, which were initially embedded in the overall proposal, were not retained for funding – however their fundamental objectives and expected achievements were accepted and are the basis for the present cluster. Co-ordinating, collecting and sharing available data and experience is one objective of Cluster 3. Another is to identify areas for future research and, if necessary, carry out focused research in order to provide complementary information. This will be achieved by compiling and disseminating reports.

Cluster 4 addresses the possible introduction of innovative pavement concepts, allowing for new types of cementitious pavements and base course materials and the correlated design models. Such development will allow for the introduction of:

–         Local materials, possibly of marginal quality compared with standard materials

–         Pozzolanic binders with low CO2 emission during production

–         Design of pavements based on present needs (load) with future strengthening options built-in (stepwise design and construct principle)

–         Reduction of the bituminous pavement layers.

The ultimate objective of Cluster 4 is to reduce by 20% the need to transport materials for the construction of pavements.

The overall management work package will co-ordinate the work of the different clusters. However, some additional actions have been

identified within the management work package. One is to establish an environmental baseline and to develop environmental indicators and tools permitting clusters to offer alternatives, another is the communication and dissemination of results from the total project including website, project centre implementation and e-learning tools.

Several ENBRI members are involved in the ECO-Serve partnership. BBRI (Belgian Building Research Institute) is a part of

the management team, which is led by DBT, the coordinator of the network. Other ENBRI members involved are the Spanish Institute of Construction Science ‘Eduardo Torroja’ (IETcc-CSIC), the Icelandic Building Research Institute (IBRI) and the Technical Research Centre (VTT) of Finland.