Giovedì 4 dicembre alle ore 16:30 si terrà, presso l’Aula Grandori (Edificio 4), il seminario “Reinventing Concrete: Towards a Low-Carbon Future”. Il seminario sarà tenuto dal Prof. Ruben Paul Borg dell’University of Malta.

Abstract
Concrete is the most widely used construction material worldwide. Yet, its production—particularly that of ordinary Portland cement—accounts for roughly 8% of global CO₂ emissions. The construction sector is also a major contributor to global waste generation, with concrete representing a significant portion of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. These challenges highlight the urgent need for more durable, recyclable, and low-carbon concrete solutions.

This lecture reviews emerging scientific advances, engineering practices, and policy frameworks that are driving the transition toward low-carbon concrete. Building on current research and real-world applications, the presentation explores strategies for reducing embodied carbon across the concrete life cycle, including clinker substitution, the use of supplementary cementitious materials from industrial by-products, alkali-activated and geopolymer binders, carbon sequestration approaches, and optimized, performance-based design methods.

A dedicated focus is placed on the role of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) within low-carbon design strategies. Although traditionally associated with higher material intensities, recent advances in low-carbon UHPC formulations and application-driven optimization show its potential to significantly reduce whole-life emissions. Thanks to its exceptional mechanical performance and ultra-low permeability, UHPC can enhance durability, extend service life, enable structural optimization, and reduce maintenance needs—resulting in substantial lifetime carbon savings. In coastal and marine environments, UHPC’s resistance to chloride ingress provides a pathway for more durable and sustainable infrastructure. The presentation will draw on case studies and discuss challenges to large-scale implementation.

By situating material innovation within the broader context of climate targets and sustainable infrastructure, the lecture aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of both opportunities and constraints in the decarbonization of concrete—one of the world’s most essential building materials.

Speaker’s bio
Prof. Ruben Paul Borg is Full Professor at the University of Malta and a Structural & Materials Engineer. He is a Fulbright Scholar, Visiting Academic at the University of Missouri S&T (USA), Affiliate Professor at the Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies (CIES), Adjunct Professor at Vellore Institute of Technology (India), and Visiting Academic in several European institutions. He graduated from the University of Malta, completed the Specializzazione in Cemento Armato at the Scuola F.lli Pesenti of Politecnico di Milano, and earned his PhD from the University of Sheffield.

Prof. Borg currently serves as Director of the Climate Action Authority in Malta. He has held positions on the Board of Directors of iiSBE, as Chairman for Knowledge and Technology at ECCE (European Council of Civil Engineers), and as Representative of the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK). He is active within fib (International Federation for Structural Concrete), where he convenes TG7.8, and within RILEM. He also contributes as an expert to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN TC350) on Sustainability of Construction Works.
He has served on the Executive Committee and Administrative Board of the BICC (Government of Malta) and chaired its Research and Innovation Committee. He coordinates the Industrial Heritage Platform and is a member of the Committee for Sustainability at the University of Malta. He has been Principal Investigator for international research projects under HORIZON 2020, HORIZON Europe, and INTERREG, focusing on low-carbon concrete, ultra-durability materials, cultural heritage renovation, sustainable building, and climate resilience.

Prof. Borg is also active in industrial practice and has received multiple international awards, including the International Energy Globe Awards (2013, 2022, 2024), the Prix d’Honneur in Restoration, the Judge Caruana Curren Awards, and recognition for advancements in 3D-printed low-carbon concrete.