Analysis of laboratory testing capacity for cement and concrete in Sweden.

Important results from the project

The aim of the project was to: -describe current eligibility requirements for testing of cement, concrete and concrete products -map existing testing operations in Sweden and other Nordic countries, including its capacity and current utilization rate. -estimate how the need for testing operations will be affected in the event that a large number of new cements replace the ones from Slite - make a scenario analysis of what a stop of the cement production in Slite will mean for the testing operations in Sweden.

Expected long term effects

Provided that the eligibility requirements for cement and concrete in Sweden are not waived today, it is not possible to carry out a wide replacement of cement at a large number of concrete factories in a short time without significant disruptions and stops in concrete deliveries to construction sites, if not currently used and new cements are available in parallel for a transitional period of at least two and a half years. This mainly applies to concrete for infrastructure projects where the requirements for quality assurance via testing at accredited laboratories are high.

Approach and implementation

The project has been carried out through interviews with a large number of relevant actors in the construction and concrete industry, including all accredited laboratories in Sweden. The project has also included compiling eligibility requirements for testing of cement and concrete in standards and regulations, mapping of existing testing resources in Sweden and in the Nordic countries, reviewing significant testing methods and scenario analysis.