EFCA is the European Federation of Concrete Admixtures Associations

EFCA was formed in 1984 as a partnership between National Admixture Associations in order to promote the interests of the industry at European level. See membership page for details and web links to individual members.

News Briefs:

EFCA is pleased to announce the membership of a new partner, KÜB, the Turkish Construction Material Manufacturers Federation (details).

Established in 1998, in its tenth year (in 2008) KÜB has 8 member admixture manufacturers, four of which is national and four international companies, which represent 95 percent of the Turkish Concrete Admixtures Market.

The aim of the association is to gather the concrete chemical producers under one roof, to coordinate the members, to help ensure the quality of production to comply with national and international standards and to help guide and educate all interested parties in the field.

KÜB is also a member of YÜF (Turkish Construction Material Manufacturers Federation) founded by Cement Manufacturers Association, Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Precast Concrete Association, Aggregate Producers Association,  Lime Producers Association .  YÜF is an active Member Federation in the Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation.

Forthcoming EFCA meetings:

Environmental Committee – 08-10-2008, Deutsche Bauchemie, Frankfurt.

Executive Committee – 27-10-2008, Brussels Airport.

Technical Committee – 27-11-2008, Paris, venue to be advised.

Board Meeting – 03-12-2008, Sika Offices, Brussels.

General Assembly – 15-05-2009, Berlin, venue to be advised.

Promotional Activity

Earlier this year EFCA was invited to take part in an interview for publication in the March – April Edition of the Turkish Construction Magazine ‘Yapi Kimyasallari’. A copy of the publication and the transcript of the interview are available for downloading on the EFCA PUBLICATIONS page.

European Concrete Platform releases new documents on Fire protection and safety with concrete and Concrete for energy efficient buildings. Copies available from the EFCA PUBLICATIONS page.

Admixtures:
Admixtures are chemicals added to concrete, mortar or grout to modify the properties of the mix in the plastic and/or the hardened state. They are normally supplied as an aqueous solution to facilitate accurate addition through a dispenser. Most admixtures are classified as completely harmless and require no hazard labelling under the GHS system.

The quantity of admixture added is usually based on the cement content and for most admixtures is in the range 0.2 to 2.0% by weight.  In terms of active chemical this equates to less than 0.15% on a typical concrete mix. Even at this low content they have a powerful effect, modifying the water requirement, setting time or other properties.