Cemex EMEA celebrates concrete innovation at global R&D centre

Cemex has honoured some of the most innovative and sustainable construction projects from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa at a special event held at its Global Research & Development Centre in Bruegg, Switzerland.

Held under the theme “Shaping the Future Together”, the event brought together project leaders, architects and engineers from across the EMEA region to recognise outstanding entries to the international Cemex Building Awards — a competition now in its 34th year.

Projects from 17 countries were shortlisted, with winning schemes judged by an expert panel for their commitment to innovation, sustainability and design excellence. Several schemes featuring concrete as a key element of delivery were recognised, including:

• "La Pigna" (Montenegro) – 3rd place, Multi-Family Housing
• "Smetanova lávka" (Czech Republic) – 2nd place, Public Space
• "Gampa a Sféra Pardubice" (Czech Republic) – 1st place, Collective Buildings
• "One Za’abeel" (United Arab Emirates) – 3rd place, Collective Buildings
• "New Dirout Group of Regulators" (Egypt) – 2nd place, Infrastructure

Special regional sustainability awards also went to:

• One Oval Square (United Kingdom)
• Świnoujście Tunnel (Poland)
• Annenhöfe (Germany)
• A33 Yecla-Caudete (Spain)
• Pierre Fabre Foundation – Lavaur (France)

Visitors took part in a guided tour of Cemex’s state-of-the-art laboratory, hosted by Davide Zampini, Global, vice president of R&D, and engaged in live demonstrations of new low-carbon concrete innovations developed at the site.

“Concrete played a crucial role in the success of these projects, and it will continue to do so as we build smarter, more efficient and more sustainable infrastructure,” said Zampini. “The collaboration between Cemex and visionary construction professionals is essential to meeting the challenges of our changing world.”

The event also introduced José Antonio Cabrera as Cemex EMEA’s new regional president and featured a keynote from M.I.T. associate professor of architecture Brandon Clifford, underlining the importance of academic-industry partnerships in driving future concrete innovation.

Cemex’s broader Future in Action strategy commits the business to achieving net zero across its operations, with 2030 targets that include reducing concrete’s carbon intensity by 41%, increasing alternative fuel use to 55%, and cutting Scope 3 transport emissions by 30%.