“Construction safety starts with ready-mixed concrete quality” ... Industry steps up standardization and workforce development

[Financial News] To strengthen the quality competitiveness of the ready-mixed concrete industry, businesses are stepping up professional training and standardization of quality control. They also shared quality-control measures using new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), as well as changes to related systems, to improve their capacity to respond on site.
 According to the ready-mixed concrete industry on the 10th, the Korea Concrete Testing Institute, affiliated with the Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation, held the “2026 Conference to Strengthen the Capabilities of Key Ready-Mixed Concrete Quality Control Personnel” at Hotel ICC in Daejeon.
 Around 600 people attended the event, including Bae Jo-ung, president of the Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation; Lee Han-baek, head of the Korea Concrete Testing Institute; Mun Dong-min, president of the Korea Standards Association; Hong Geon Ho, president of the Korea Concrete Institute; officials from ready-mixed concrete cooperatives across the country; and quality-control managers and staff.
 Ahead of the conference, the federation signed a business agreement with the Korea Standards Association to standardize the ready-mixed concrete industry and drive quality innovation. The two organizations agreed to jointly develop and distribute ready-mixed concrete quality-control standards and training programs, and to expand information-sharing to train quality-control personnel and develop professional talent.
 They will also share practical challenges encountered with certification standards and quality-control processes. They plan to work together to improve quality-control systems across the industry, including by jointly pursuing projects related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) management and carbon neutrality.
 The conference featured expert talks on ready-mixed concrete quality control and the use of AI, trends in revisions to the standard specifications for ready-mixed concrete, and the properties of binders used in ready-mixed concrete. Attendees reviewed the latest technologies and regulatory changes and discussed ways to improve quality control that could be applied on site.
 “Quality-control managers play an important role in protecting the safety of buildings and the places where people live,” Bae Jo-ung said. He urged them to “follow the fundamentals and principles of quality control and build a ready-mixed concrete industry that earns even greater trust from the public.”
[email protected] Lee Jumi Reporter