Interviews / 5/16/2025

EFCA: driving innovation in concrete admixtures across Europe

The newly appointed Chairman of the European Federation of Concrete Admixtures Associations (EFCA) Environmental Committee talks about the Federation's commitment to promoting sustainability in the concrete industry

Interviewee

Alexis Tranchant

Head of R&D at Mapei France

Alexis Tranchant, R&D Manager at Mapei France, was recently appointed Chairman of the EFCA Environmental Committee. He aims to foster harmonized environmental policies and support the concrete industry's path to carbon neutrality. His leadership blends technical expertise with a strong understanding of market needs.

The European Federation of Concrete Admixtures Associations (EFCA), established in 1984, represents the collective voice of 11 national admixture associations across Europe when approaching authorities, institutions (European Commission, European Parliament) and organisations on an international level. The Federation is dedicated to advancing the concrete admixtures industry by promoting innovation, sustainability, and technical excellence. The Federation actively collaborates with European construction organizations to ensure the industry’s adherence to high standards, such as EN 934. Through its technical and environmental committees, it drives research, publishes guidance documents, and fosters knowledge-sharing among industry professionals. Mapei strongly supports the Federation and its national associations as an active member of the industry. On 11^th April, Alexis Tranchant Head of R&D at Mapei France, was appointed Chairman of the EFCA Environmental Committee. We interviewed him to learn more on his role and work.

Mr Tranchant, what is your current role at Mapei and SYNAD and your experience in the concrete industry?

I joined Mapei in 2012, working in the R&D department, shortly after graduating as a material science engineer. I have been the R&D manager for concrete admixtures at Mapei France since 2019. In this role, I am actively involved in the development of sustainable solutions for concrete. For instance, we have developed a range of admixtures from the CUBE system that is specifically tailored to the French market. We are currently working on tailoring products from the RE-CON line to meet the French customers’ needs. In addition, I am representing Mapei France as a member of the Environmental Committee of SYNAD (Syndicat National des Adjuvants).

What is the role of the EFCA Environmental Committee?

The EFCA Environmental Committee is responsible for developing and promoting harmonized policies related to safety and sustainability. It plays an advisory role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and responsible use of admixtures across all stages of the concrete product life cycle and within the broader scope of construction projects.

As the newly appointed Chairman, what are your primary goals and priorities for the committee?

First of all, I will be representing SYNAD in EFCA, so one of my roles will be to ensure the link between the two associations for environmental and sustainable issues. France, like the Nordic countries, is really concerned about sustainability. France has a specific national regulation (RE2020) that obliges the concrete industry to reduce the carbon footprint of its activities. As a result, many concrete producers are asking for EPDs of their raw materials, including concrete admixtures to better monitor the global warning potential of their concrete formulas. Thanks to EFCA, we can provide them with the requested information. The data we provide need to be as accurate as possible, and therefore EFCA will continue to focus on EPD. It is evident that this issue is not exclusive to France. A primary challenge confronting the European concrete industry is to minimise its environmental impact and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with the active involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including admixture producers. So, as Chairman, I will not only represent France but will work with all members from all countries. It is essential that I understand the main issues in Europe and ensure that our responses to the European institutions and organisations are consistent. There are a number of issues that require our attention, including contact with drinking water, hazardous substances and microplastics. ... I'll play the role of an orchestra conductor!

In what ways will your experience at Mapei as Head of R&D support your leadership in this new role?

As R&D manager, I am aware of our customers’ needs. This is important because one of EFCA’s goals is to promote admixtures in concrete industry. Understanding the needs and expectations of our customers and the market is fundamental if we are to propose the best solutions and making the best decisions from an environmental and sustainable development perspective. And as a manager, I'm used to project management. The EFCA Environmental Committee is nothing more than a new project to manage.

How does Mapei contribute to EFCA’s mission and environmental objectives?

Mapei is an international company and works together with national associations. Mapei is present in many environmental committees through its team members and can play a key role in EFCA. Each national subsidiary of the Group can provide information to their national association, that will share it with EFCA. This is crucial to have the best picture of the situation and make the best decisions. Moreover, as an international company Mapei is aware of all the regulations, and my colleagues from Corporate Safety and Corporate Sustainability teams will be a great support to EFCA’s Environmental Committee.

Interviewee

Alexis Tranchant

Head of R&D at Mapei France

Product Lines

Admixtures for concrete