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During the week, three key events for stakeholders were organised. The Engineer and Academic Evening saw nearly 40 key engineers participate while the Contractor Evening had an attendance of over 30 key engineers at the workshops titled ‘Heat Control in Large Concrete Pouring’ conducted by Thomas Machai of HTEC Switzerland. The Architects’ Evening which had a participation of over 40 architects featured a presentation by Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake on the topic ‘Green Building Concepts.’

The Holcim I&A Centre stands for leading cement and concrete solution provider and is the only knowledge hub for learning on everything related to cement &concrete - its process, uses, modernisms and trends in the global construction scenario, an impetus to building knowledge, innovation and sustenance, for growth and posterity. The Holcim I&A Centre has become an invaluable value addition for Holcim stakeholders who seek technical expertise on resource optimization, green concepts, and as the knowledge exchange of the industry.

The I&A Centre houses state-ofthe-art cement and concrete solution facilities, a training centre for discussions, training and knowledge sharing with i ndustry experts, a showroom demonstrating Holcim products and services, materials and innovative products for the industry and Holcim’s major projects in Sri Lanka and the world. A comprehensive library showcases material on cement, concrete and sustainable constructions.

The Centre was set up as a medium to offer technical advice to construction professionals for better usage of construction materials, whilst simultaneously demonstrating Holcim Lanka’s sustainable commitment to its stakeholders. The Holcim I&A Centre shares knowledge with industry architects about innovative blends of concrete for creative and decorative finishes, sustainable approaches, lightweight and pervious applications. Industry engineers also approach the Centre to learn more about quality control and consistency of cement for high performance, quality assurance, durability, global cement standards, concrete know-how and actual applications of blended cement, heat of hydration in concrete, high strength concrete, speedy construction and managing cement and concrete in real applications in major projects.

The Centre also reaches out to contractors toeducate them on cost cutting, mix-design optimization, selection of right materials, obtaining desired strengths with optimum cost, role of admixtures, rescue W/C ratio, and construction speed, safety and durability. Furthermore, the Centre also instructs academics and students on the practical side of cement and concrete, raw material identification, introduction to concrete mix designs, manufacturing process of cement, quarrying and m-sand, with the added provision of references and literature. By imparting maximum relevant information with stakeholders, the Centre is striving to promote sustainable practices in construction that have a far reaching impact on the nation.