New Applications of Concrete Unveiled

If you think concrete is only for building houses, paving roads, and constructing bridges, think again. It can also be a beautiful work of art.

This year, the China Construction, Landscape, and Art Exhibition was held concurrently with the annual expo. Here, through the ingenious creativity of designers, the "ordinary" concrete was transformed into aesthetically pleasing artworks. Concrete-made flower pots, tables and chairs, pen holders, decorative paintings, and speaker casings were on display, captivating the audience.

The Long Museum West Bund in Shanghai, the Lenovo Research Center, and the Mu Xin Art Museum in Wuzhen are all renowned concrete buildings. Even when you look at the iconic Sydney Opera House, you might not realize that the lightweight "white sails" are actually made of prefabricated concrete shells.

"We believe that concrete products can not only 'grow' outdoors but also be integrated into homes and onto walls," said Wu Wengui, the president of the China Concrete and Cement Products Association, the event organizer. "The appearance of concrete is unmatched by other materials, and its inherent stability cannot be replaced by wood or steel. Concrete will not only enter various industries but also become a part of households."

"In the past, production in the industry relied on shouting commands and manual inspection, but now it's completely different!" Through the integration with an industrial internet platform, intelligent control of the production process can be achieved, significantly improving transportation, pumping efficiency, and capacity utilization. As he spoke, a group of buyers from Brazil gathered around, asking for more details to help them understand the situation and make procurement plans. One of the buyers was meticulously photographing the text on the display board with his phone.

"We need to seek development momentum from new production capabilities," said Gao Zhi, the secretary-general of the China Concrete and Cement Products Association. "Increasing technological innovation, focusing on green and low-carbon development, and leveraging intelligent manufacturing are the new directions for the transformation and development of the cement and concrete industry, especially with the high-quality development opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative."