Master Builders Solutions US & Canada
Introduction
The concrete industry is navigating one of the most demanding periods in recent history, and concrete professionals are turning to the internet for answers. Search data reveals a surge in questions about rising material costs, evolving mixture designs, labor shortages, sustainability goals, and plant efficiency. To help address these concerns, we’re breaking down the top 10 challenges in the concrete industry and how professionals can overcome them. In Part 1, we’ll explore five topics shaping today’s construction landscape.
1.) Managing Costs and Materials
Managing costs and materials has dominated search trends across the concrete industry. Cement remains the most expensive and carbon-intensive component in concrete, prompting concrete producers to optimize its use through supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and portland-limestone cement (PLC) — ASTM C595 Type IL in the U.S. and CSA A3001 GUL in Canada.
Strategies such as incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and portland-limestone cement (PLC) are helping reduce clinker content, lower embodied carbon, and improve long-term durability. Yet, these materials can introduce variability in early-age strength, workability, and consistency, making mixture control more complex than ever. To overcome these challenges, concrete producers are taking a more data-driven, performance-based approach to mix design. Through the use of high-performance admixtures, including water-reducers, strength enhancers, and set modifiers, concrete producers can balance the behavior of SCMs and PLC to achieve predictable results. Real-time quality monitoring and automated batching systems are also becoming essential tools, allowing adjustments to be made instantly as raw material properties fluctuate. By combining material optimization with process precision, concrete producers are maintaining quality, managing costs, and meeting sustainability targets, proving that innovation and efficiency can coexist, even in a volatile market.
2.) Addressing the Labor Gap
“Concrete labor shortage” is another top-searched topic in the industry, and for good reason. Skilled labor is harder to find, and crews are expected to do more with less.
To close the gap, the industry is embracing smarter tools, streamlined processes, and cross-training strategies that make each team member more efficient. Fiber reinforcement helps reduce or eliminate the need for traditional steel placement, cutting hours of labor from every pour. Admixtures that enhance pumpability and finishability simplify placement and help crews achieve consistent results. Form-release and curing technologies improve surface quality and reduce rework, while digital project management tools improve coordination between batching, transport, and placement teams. By integrating these practical solutions, producers are turning a workforce challenge into an opportunity to modernize operations and strengthen productivity across every stage of construction.
3.) Designing for Weather Extremes
Extreme weather has become a constant topic of discussion among concrete producers and concrete contractors alike. Whether it’s a heatwave accelerating set times or a cold snap delaying strength gain, temperature volatility directly affects concrete performance.
The most effective response lies in proactive mixture design and climate control strategies. Concrete producers are using admixtures that accelerate or retard set times to balance temperature effects and maintain consistent performance throughout the year. Moisture-retaining curing compounds improve durability and minimize shrinkage, even under rapid drying or freezing conditions. Paired with temperature monitoring, insulated formwork, and controlled curing methods, these practices allow concrete contractors to maintain placement schedules and achieve the required strength profile in less-than-ideal climates. By designing concrete to perform under real-world conditions, concrete producers are building resilience, pour after pour, season after season.
4.) Sustainability and Carbon Reduction
Searches for “low-carbon concrete” and “sustainable mixture design” are also at an all-time high, reflecting growing demand from customers, regulators, and communities alike. The path forward lies in innovation, not compromise.
Concrete producers are achieving sustainability goals through a multi-dimensional approach that balances materials, design, and performance. Reducing embodied carbon begins with the strategic use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, slag cement, and natural pozzolans, combined with lower-clinker cements like portland-limestone cement (PLC). Together, these reduce the carbon footprint while maintaining mechanical integrity. Beyond materials, sustainability now depends on data-driven accountability. Tools such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) help concrete producers measure and communicate environmental performance to project owners and specifiers. By integrating these methods into everyday operations, the concrete industry is transforming sustainability from an abstract goal into a measurable, competitive advantage.
5.) Efficiency at the Plant and Beyond
Operational efficiency also ranks among the most-searched topics by concrete professionals. Plants are under increasing pressure to optimize performance, minimize waste, and adapt quickly to changing market conditions.
Concrete producers are adopting digital batching systems and real-time monitoring tools to control mix accuracy, extend workability, and minimize rejected loads. These technologies, combined with water-reducing admixtures and optimized mix designs, help streamline production and conserve resources. At the same time, data integration and process optimization are reshaping quality control. By linking batching data, fleet performance, and testing results, producers can identify inefficiencies and adjust operations quickly. The result is a more agile, resilient production process—one that reduces waste, improves reliability, and strengthens profitability in a rapidly changing market.
Looking Ahead
The challenges facing the concrete industry are real, but so are the opportunities. As construction professionals continue to search for smarter ways to balance cost, performance, and sustainability, technology and innovation are paving the way forward.
To learn more about Turning Concrete Challenges into Concrete Solutions, contact us or visit our booth for live demos at World of Concrete, January 20-22, 2026 and CONEXPO, March 3-7, 2026. Stay tuned next month for Part 2 of “Tackling the Top 10 Challenges in the Concrete Industry, where we’ll explore the next five challenges and the solutions driving the concrete industry’s future.