Track: Materials Sustainability
Kevin Irving
International Zinc Association
Pete Ault
KTA-Tator
David Whitmore
Vector Corrosion
Over the past three decades, the conversation around sustainability has narrowed into a carbon-specific narrative, drifting away from its original purpose: safeguarding resources, communities, and infrastructure for future generations.
This forum invites you to take a step back and revisit the foundational principles of sustainable development, followed by clarifying what life cycle assessment actually measures, and explain what and how terminologies such as modules, EPDs, and carbon tools fit into the broader decision-making landscape.
We will then hear perspectives from leading voices across our industry. Together, we will reinforce a simple reality: durability is sustainability. Extending asset life, reducing maintenance interventions, minimizing waste, and ensuring safe, resilient infrastructure delivers environmental, economic, and social benefits in ways that carbon accounting alone cannot capture.
We are honored to host the following speakers:
Raed El Sarraf, Structural Integrity Consultants – Session Chair and scene-setting (15 min)
Florent Bocher, AMPP – Update on AMPP’s Sustainability Taskforce (15 min)
Pete Ault, KTA – The consultant’s contribution to sustainable practice (10 min)
David Whitmore, Vector Corrosion – Concrete design and life extension (10 min)
Kevin Irving, International Zinc Association – Zinc’s role in extending service life of structures (10 min)
Tim Niemeier, Best-tec – Laser ablation, reduced waste, and improved worker safety (10 min)
Tom Schwerdt, Texas DoT – An asset owner’s perspective (15 min)
The session will conclude with an open discussion exploring our collective role in demonstrating that the corrosion industry has long been a leader in sustainable practice, well before the terminology became fashionable.