Major milestone: Glass powder to be recognized as a cement additive in the CSA-A3000 standard
In conjunction with the annual conference of the Association des travaux publics d’Amérique held in Saint-Sauveur from September 4 to 7, Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) and the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) are proud to mark a major milestone in the process to recognize glass powder as a supplementary cementitious material in Canadian standards. Glass powder is expected to be recognized as a supplementary cementitious material in the new edition of CSA A3000, Cementitious materials compendium, which is expected to be published by the end of the year and could be adopted shortly thereafter.
This important step would provide contract givers with a standardized quality assurance when choosing this innovative Québec ecomaterial for their concrete work.
A second life for glass recovered through curbside recycling
With a view to support the circular economy, the glass containers that citizens place in their recycling bins will now have a second local life.
“The cutting-edge expertise being developed in Québec is becoming recognized, and this is excellent news. The standardization of glass powder as a cement additive will fast-track the expansion of the markets for glass recovered through curbside recycling,” says Maryse Vermette, president and chief executive officer, ÉEQ.
ÉEQ has supported glass recycling initiatives for several years, specifically through its Innovatice Glass Works plan to modernize the equipment in sorting centres to produce high-quality glass and develop recycled glass markets for a range of innovative applications and ecomaterials. The expansion of these growing markets goes hand in hand with the evolution of the Canadian standards for these ecomaterials.
One ecomaterial, many benefits
Glass powder is an additive used in concrete for a range of infrastructures and equipment, including sidewalks, skateboard parks, park benches and noise walls. It is generally added to traditional concrete ingredients to provide greater resistance and impermeability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions per cubic metre of manufactured concrete.
The major milestone that was achieved in the process to adopt the standard for glass powder used as a cement additive is the result of over a decade of research, development and commercialization efforts by the Chaire SAQ de valorisation du verre at Université de Sherbrooke.
“For years, the SAQ has contributed to the development of Quebec’s expertise in glass recycling. Over the past 15 years—with de support of the SAQ—the Chaire SAQ de valorisation du verre at the Université de Sherbrooke has endeavoured to develop applications for recovered glass. It is extremely gratifying to witness such a positive outcome. I want to congratulate Mr. Arezki and his team of professionals and students who contributed to this achievement.” Said Catherine Dagenais, president and chief executive officer of the Société des alcools du Québec. “
“I am very satisfied with this development, which is an important signal for Canadian market to normalize production of glass powder by assuring contract givers of the highest quality standards,” declared Arezki Tagnit-Hamou, professor, chairholder of the Chaire SAQ de l’Université de Sherbrooke.
About Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ)
ÉEQ is a private NPO that represents the companies that place containers, packaging and printed matter on the market in Québec as part of their responsibility to fund effective and efficient municipal curbside recycling services. As an expert, ÉEQ optimizes the curbside recycling value chain and implements innovative approaches with a view to sustainable development and the circular economy.
About the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)
The SAQ’s mandate is to sell alcoholic beverages by offering a broad range of quality products. The company carries out its mandate through a network of some 400 SAQ stores and 440 agency stores. It sells 13,300 products from 81 countries. In addition to fulfilling its commercial mission, each year the SAQ contributes to some 330 organizations and events across Quebec through its donation and sponsorship program. In fiscal 2017-2018, the value of these contributions totalled $5.6 million.
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Source ÉEQ
Jacques A. Bouchard
Communication officer
Éco Entreprises Québec
514 987-1491, ext. 247
jbouchard@eeq.ca
Source SAQ
Linda Bouchard
Manager, press relations
SAQ
514-254-6000, ext. 5385
li.bouchard@saq.qc.ca