Hello, welcome and thanks for listening to Carbon Climates, an entry podcast dedicated
to discussing all things energy, carbon and sustainability. We also like to talk about
what's getting hot, aside from our planet. I'm your host, Venya and today I'm joined
with my Carbon Climate and co-host, Ansi, who I'll be introducing shortly. So Ansi,
how you doing? Like what have you been doing this weekend? How have you been?
Thank you, first of all, thank you so much for inviting me. It was a quite busy week
for me. So I was having a conference starting from Wednesday and came back yesterday. So
it was really interesting about all the new technologies and all the new stuff they're
implementing in the concrete sector. So that's actually what the conference was about. It
was hosted by Institute of Country Technology. So that was nice, came back yesterday and
here I am. Busy schedule. Oh yeah, yeah. And of course I have got another one tomorrow.
That's okay. That's very good. Well, could you tell us your job title? So I'm a concrete
technologist and I'm also working as a knowledge transfer partner between Queen's, University
of Belfast and More Concrete Products Limited, which is like a pre-cast company based in
Balaamina. So it's more about creating mixed designs, reducing the carbon footprint. So
the title of the project, which I'd work on is actually reducing the carbon footprint
from the pre-cast sector. And it's also about replacing the steel with alternative steel
reinforcements like glass fibres and basal clars and stuff like that. So that's actually
the kind of work I do in there. That's very interesting to hear. Even I just want to ask
a quick one. So replacing it with glass fibre. Glass fibre, it probably has a better thermal
conductivity than steel. Sorry, my mind and the energy assessor in me is working in the
background. But class, I can't wait for that product to come out.
Still on the working stage, but maybe next year. We'll see. Brilliant. So could you
tell me how long you've been in this sector? So to be honest, I think it's been almost
1.5 years, one and a half years now. So I have been enjoying it. I was a completely
newcomer in the industry. So like my industrial experience with this past one and a half years,
it's like taught me a lot, learned a lot, made so many mistakes and still learning.
It's kind of good and still learning. Looking forward for more things to come in in the
week. That is such a good attitude to have. I've been in the sector. This is my sixth
year at this job, but maybe ninth year in the sector. And I still make mistakes. I'm
still learning. It's like every day we learn something new. Every day is a school day.
I love those when you get a new kind of topic or area to study in. You're like, yeah, I'm
going to learn so much from this. Yeah, that's true. Brilliant. So see at secondary school,
did you ever envisage yourself in the sector? Oh my God, no, to be honest, because I have
my background in chemistry. The first master's is actually in chemistry. So I thought I would
always be more into like nano, right? And chemistry and stuff like that. I got my papers
published in that sector, but I thought like, oh, it would be like a good idea to do something
related to material science rather than going into like organic chemistry and stuff like
that. So I decided to pursue a master's in materials science and engineering from Queens.
But the future has something else for me, I guess. So what happened was like I got my
master's project based on geopolymers. So it's actually not something I chose. It just
came to me. Right. So first I was like, okay, what I'm going to do after this project? Because
I have no idea what it is. And it was a completely new thing to me. So I was a bit kind of confused.
But my supervisor was like super cool. And he just explained things to me. And I was
like, oh, wow, this is really interesting. It's like reducing the carbon footprint and
stuff that's actually like real world application. So just did that. And soon after I completed
the master's project, it's like I got this opportunity to be part of the
work I did for my project. So that's how I got it into that. So that's how I ended up
being in the world of concrete. Wow. That's amazing. Well, you're in such a like, like
thriving and that could have feel like concrete is used for.
Literally like, I actually like what I only knowledge I had about concrete was like, it's
made of sand, stone and cement. That's actually the only thing I knew when I was like a child
or like even when I was doing like all my studies in like childhood. But that's like
when I started to learn what's actually in there, I realized that there's so much chemistry
when it comes to concrete reactions and stuff which is happening and the setting time and
how it works. So it's like completely it's filled with chemistry. So that's actually
something which keeps me going. Yeah. So I really enjoy it, to be honest.
That's so good. I love that. I like always find that in my career as well where maybe
I'm working in something and like, this is just like, oh, this is quite a childish comparison.
But I love the PS2. Love to play Simpsons Hittin' Round on the PS2. So I'm just like,
this is just like Simpsons Hittin' Round. Drawing comparisons. Yeah.
Well, thank you for telling us about your background and a bit about yourself. So you
said you worked for like you're part of Queen's KTP. It stands for Knowledge Transfer Partnership.
Yeah. And you're in the concrete area. We actually had a previous guest, Catherine,
Campbell, shout out Catherine, who was also in that same research area with Queen's KTP.
Again, I'm just shouting out Queen's KTP, not looking for them to sponsor me or anything.
But that's good. Yes. So concrete has such an impact on the world today. It's used for
many applications. The most, the application I would know the most would be building. One
of the things with building applications with concrete is that it can have a certificate
called an EPD. It stands for Environmental Product Declaration. Yeah. Beat me to it.
Brilliant. Yes, that gives a lot of useful information. And like they might have carbon
tons that goes into the concrete. So what you were saying there about working on applications
in concrete to lower the carbon. Definitely going to have an impact. Yeah, we actually
do have EPDs for a couple of our products. So our company mostly uses a node, like they
produce civil products and agricultural products. So civil products in the sense of like big
arches and stuff, like it's called bibos. It's like big arches. And they also have
flat homes and so many different products, which I clearly don't know the name even.
But there are so many products. So we do have EPDs for a couple of products because the
client does want us to like, you know, be clear about what's actually the carbon footprint
from the product. So we do have a couple of our products. And it's also like we have our
products like it's very few of them, which is actually sitting in like 100% cement. Most
of them are like having alternative cementitious materials in them. Yeah. Up to 60-50% replacement.
So it's like, it's really good, you know, like to compare the one with 100% cementitious
and the one with the replacement stuff. So the clients could actually see and realize
where they are, you know, when they're buying the product, they're able to know, okay, this
is actually what we are contributing. So what this product is actually contributing to the
total carbon footprint. So it's actually like a very good document, to be honest. Yeah.
Okay. Interesting. Very nice. Well, I know from my background, I'm an energy sasser,
as I said before in this podcast, I actually am able to calculate U-values as well. New
values, talk about that and get on a different episode. I think episode two, go back to that
listener if you'd like. But it calculates the heat loss, bearing element or a flanking
element like a piece, a bit of wall. With concrete, like with doing this application
of calculating new values, I've come across four or five different types of concrete.
So you're talking about concrete with 2% steel and then concrete with 1% steel and then dense
concrete and then concrete with no fines. And trying to think of another one. I know screed
can sometimes get wrapped up in there. But yeah, so like that's like my knowledge of
concrete and what I found really interesting and just probably what you can see firsthand
is that each of these have a different thermal conductivity and it's to do with the way they're
mixed and created. Yeah. But yeah, in your work, when you're in the KTB lab at Olin
Queen's, do you get to see much of this stuff or? It's actually more to do with the binders
and stuff in my case. It's like I actually study heat of hydration and stuff like that
for different cement replacement stuff and even with no cement in it. So that's actually
the kind of work I do. But I have not looked into those stuff. But I think at some point
in my project, I would be looking on to those things. Very good. Yes. Yeah. I think I would
approach you and ask you like, how will you do it and stuff like that. I will happily
guide me. I will happily have you on. Like, you know, like you can come into the office
again if there's a meeting room. But that's great. So with the KTB, you work with like
at Queen's in the lab, but you also work with a company as well. So it's actually like I
work in the company premises according to their booking time most of the time. But once
in a week, I had to go to the uni and do my lab work and stuff. And my supervisors both
in the company and university, they're like super cool. So lucky to have them. Yeah, they're
really good. Yeah. So I enjoy the work in there. But if I have to do any lab work, of
course, I have to speak with the people in the lab and head of the week. So I could actually
work throughout like a couple of days in the lab and get my work done. But most of the
time actually in the company, in the company premises working in the lab in there, I have
created my own space in the lab, right? Because and classrooms and magnetic stirrows and stuff
like that. They didn't have anything. I even bought a lab coat for myself. He had goggles.
So I look like a mad scientist in the lab when I'm wearing everything. Oh, my goodness.
He has been posted on LinkedIn. Yeah, because I know people love like to see like real life
in the lab, such as the goggles and the lab coat. Yeah, yeah. Even they were calling me
like, Oh, you look like a mad scientist. They don't have had anyone working on like that
in their lab before. So I think I'm the first one to make it happen. Okay. I'm happy about
that. Good. I can't wait to see the press release like, you know, our scientists and
frack the mystery of concrete and I'll be at the tribute. It's actually like, far away,
so far away to say like, Oh, she's the scientist in there in the lab. I don't know.
Brilliant. Well, okay. What you're talking a bit about your role there. What sort of
training and prep did you do for entering this role? Like the training program out there
is KTB. Do you find the guides they give you are useful? Or do you find a more learning
as you go approach better? I would say learning as you go approach is actually more better
in my case, it was actually much much better in my case. I think my company and the university
did know that my background was actually like a bit different, not completely related to
concrete technology. First time I actually learned about the previous standard of course,
when I was writing my thesis for my masters. So I read about it, I tried to understand,
but it's actually really complicated. Like for a first time, when someone looks into
that you won't understand anything. So yeah, I took my own time learning at least a bit
about it. And the kind of training I got, I think my supervisors in the master's project
they did actually like a very good job, you know, training me onto the right path and
direction. I think that's actually the initial training I got and the kind of training I
got from the company, like the ongoing way I actually got it from the supervisors in
Queens and in the company, they really helped me and always pointed me in the right direction.
They always like pushed me to do, which I do like, I don't know about it. They said
like, no, no, you can actually just go for it. You can actually do it. Just go for it.
Just learn it. We are there to support you. So that was actually the kind of support I
got from them. I think company and the university did have a very huge role for pushing me there
and helping me out.
I absolutely love employers and supervisors like that. Like my boss, Alan, he's honestly
the best for encouraging us to like, yes, okay, do this training, like go for it. You
can do this.
It's like the continuous professional development is very important when it comes to, you know,
like in a professional journey. Like in the long run, it actually helped us so much. And
it's also like the number of people we get to meet through networking and conferences
and stuff like that. It's just amazing because you never know like what's actually going
to be the next stage for you.
Exactly.
Just keep on adding the networking and people.
One of my favourite things to do is I love networking. I absolutely love it.
Yeah, exactly.
We should probably like actually address that. But me and you know each other very deep Northern
Ireland, beautifuls, climate change programme. It's 30 under 30 climate change makers in
Northern Ireland. And so we met back in January, wasn't it?
Yeah.
Yes. Yes.
Yeah. And it's absolutely flown in. I can't believe it's.
I think I just reproached you and I think it's actually then you told me about, you
know, Catherine.
Yeah.
She was also like a kitty. Do you know her? I was like, yeah, I think I have heard of
her before. I think that's actually was the starting point.
Yes. Yes. Yeah, that's great. By that point, because I had started this podcast about
last year, I filmed it.
I don't remember addressing about that.
If anyone wants to be part of it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's okay.
But I started it last year in July where I was interviewing people and like recording
and like talking. But then I just didn't get uploading stuff until this January. So it's
like I had a lot of I was doing a lot of prep and then it's always the task like nothing's
perfect.
Like, you know.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
But of course you're getting there.
Yeah, yeah, we're getting there. OK, after your episode hours, like, you know, I probably
hit 50k subscribers.
But that's good. OK, brilliant. Well, thanks for explaining about your job and your background.
So we've come to the section where in each episode, I try and tailor a wee section towards
the guests and like, like, I'm just like, like, push some facts and figures at you and
you kind of give me your general opinion and or just thoughts. And so I like to play a
wee question. I've got it.
Apologies, we're just making sure. OK, so we're talking about concrete and I can I can
edit this out. Apologies. This is I know you said previously, it's like, you know, I'm
not just on concrete. So apologies. I've tailored this section towards concrete.
Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate bonded together with a fluid
cement that cures over time.
OK, so I'm going to go it's and it's a very well used item. So between concrete and water,
which do you think is used more?
I think it's concrete.
You know what? That was that was that was that was a hard that was a hard question.
And I phrase that wrong. So it says concrete is the second most used substance. Oh, yeah.
Oh, I'm sorry. It's concrete in the world. No, it's water. The most used material.
Yeah. So OK, so water wins that round.
Concrete or steel. Which one do you think is used more?
Concrete.
You'd be right. Oh, OK. I'm happy about that.
Concrete or wood. Which one do you think is used more?
Concrete. Yes.
Because second most material.
OK, I've actually shot myself.
I got this all over.
Oh, my goodness. OK. But like even like what we're talking about there, just like concrete,
it's the second most used material in the world. So stuff like that.
Because of the same thing, the amount of carbon footprint in the atmosphere from the cement
industry alone is like 8 percent, which is like a very big amount.
And that's one of the reasons why the cement industry is pushing suppliers and the manufacturers
and people who are using the stuff to bring the carbon footprint down by the Paris Agreement,
which was actually done way back. So according to the target, they want to bring the carbon
dioxide emissions by 2030 and even by 2050, they want to bring it really, really down.
So that's why they're using replacement materials and even trying out for implementing net zero
concrete. So I think at some point they're going to implement taxes, carbon taxes and
stuff like that, which is going to be like really, really high.
I was actually talking about this the other day with the carbon taxes and like how it's
like talked about, oh, for any emissions not met, it's a carbon tax.
I think they should change the name of it and get the psychology because I think carbon
taxes, they'll be like people will see companies have this much carbon tax.
I think it should be called carbon fines, because tax they could like, you know, maybe
write that off with the accounts department.
Yeah, it should be like a fine, not like a tax.
Yeah, and like it does the same thing as the tax, but like the wording of it, like hold
a fine because the people like I've met, especially in 30 and 30, like they're becoming more
like, you know, I just didn't realize how many people like the extensive research that
went into companies like the background and like, oh, here, they do this, they have this
much emissions.
And I'm like, that's really good to see like people are starting to care about that.
And then if it showed like this company has this much carbon fine, and then here, that's
bad, it's like the psychology of the word, like, because fine associated.
Yeah.
Sorry.
That was me ripping off.
But okay, back to you.
Okay.
So you said at the start, I think it was a bit before the podcast, but you said at the
start that you're a concrete technologist with the Institute of concrete technology,
concrete technology.
I have my associate membership.
So I got both of them recently.
So but Institute of materials, minerals and mining, and also with Institute of concrete
technology.
So yeah, I think it's actually because of this experience, like almost 1.5 to use experience,
I actually got that.
But when it comes to my background, it's a bit different.
But with experience and with the kind of work I'm doing, it's actually that which actually
helped me to get that because the kind of qualifications they actually require for getting
like an associate membership and all it's like, I see these teams do exam and stuff
like that.
I was a bit skeptical about like if I would get or not, but I was so fortunate to get.
Yeah.
So yeah, yeah.
So back to your question.
That's really good.
We were talking previously about the likes of chartership and CPDs and how it's important.
Is it the same for the Institute of concrete technology that you can become a chartered
at concrete engineer or a concrete?
Yeah, you can actually get chartered through IOM 3 and Institute of concrete technology,
but it would take almost more than five years.
I had this conversation with the executive officer of ICT last time I met him in the
conference.
So I'm only like 25 now.
So he was telling me like, you're young.
So you need to have and build a couple of more years.
You know what?
I've come across that.
I've recently applied for chartership as well.
And I'm 20, I'm 21.
No, I wish I was 20.
No, anyway.
But your mind is actually what keeps you going too.
Yeah.
Mentally.
I think we all know.
I think I'm still stuck in my 20.
Yeah.
Not even, I don't know.
Maybe at 20.
Yeah.
Wish I could go back and check that person.
Like you don't know how easy you have it.
Do you want this, this stress?
But yes, like so I'm 29.
So I thought, right, okay, I'll set myself a week or try to get this chartership before
I'm 30.
And one of the things they're really looking for, which I was kind of like flip, I actually
couldn't have applied for this before because they're looking for management experience,
you're teaching people how to do jobs.
And it's like, I've only maybe done that the last couple of years.
If I was thinking about doing this like 23 to 24, I'm like, yeah, I definitely wouldn't
have been ready.
But not being sad if you're frosted into a management role at 25, definitely.
You've got all the, you're checking all the boxes.
So what did they say about the chartership?
I'm still waiting to hear back.
So maybe next episode, we'll hear.
Yeah, chartership with the Energy Institute.
So I applied for the role of Chartered Energy Engineer.
That's great.
That's really great.
Hopefully you get it.
Hopefully.
Thank you.
I have your backing, Nancy.
That's all I need.
But yeah, like I'm currently an associate member.
So I'm your concrete technologist and associate member of the Energy Institute.
If you ever want to join the Energy Institute, I know some people in the committee.
Okay, so you are promoting membership in Energy Institute now?
Yeah, yeah.
Just the wee side.
So yeah, that's great.
So the importance of accreditation, just very important.
And something I would like to add about the KTP stuff is actually like each of the KTP
projects, they do have like a dedicated budget, you know, for traveling and all the subsidies
and stuff.
And even for buying the project related, you know, appliances and apparatus and instruments.
So it's going to be like somewhere between 5,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds.
It could be like that.
That's amazing.
And it's like, you don't have to spend even like a penny from your pocket.
It's like everything comes from the KTP budget.
It's like, they really want like the end of the project, they really want the associate
to have like a good profile, you know, they want the associate to have like personal growth
and career opportunities.
So that's why they actually really help with the budget.
And that's where they have a dedicated budget.
So it's actually through the budget, I actually got my memberships in Bodhi.
That's really, really helpful.
Yeah, it's like, and all the conferences and stuff is actually from the budget.
I actually go for everything.
It's like you get the approval from your supervisors and you just go for it.
So they are happy enough to like, get your way through the budget.
So it's like, it's really good.
I feel like it's like a very good opportunity.
I don't think anyone can actually get that flexibility when you're like completely working.
But when you're like an associate, it's like you're in through the academic side of things.
You're also in the industrial side of things.
And it's like you're transferring, you're creating like a bridge to the academy and
the industry.
You're making things happening in the lab to like an industrial scale.
And of course, there are so many technical uncertainties, which comes along with it.
But still, it's really interesting if you're passionate about what you're doing.
And so always when I'm filming these podcasts, there's usually something that like maybe
someone says, like, wow, that really is amazing.
So that really wants to be like, I love like, yeah, yeah, no, that was really great to hear.
And like, I think our listeners would really like, you know, appreciate listening to it
as well.
Yeah, but that's brilliant.
Thank you so much for explaining the importance of the accreditation role.
And then, yeah, next time you're on, it'll be chartered.
So what they were telling me was like, minimum five years from now.
Yeah, like, minimum four to five years.
That's actually the time like, like the list and targeting like to get it before 30.
You can you can definitely get it.
Definitely.
I wish.
Like, there's what is it?
I've read a lot of case studies and they've said like people like, you know, there are
people who just like, they fast track.
And like, they're just like, I've done this, this and this.
And they're able to get it and everything.
It's really good to hear.
But yes, me and Nancy will next see each other at the next 30 on your 30 workshop.
Yeah, I believe is the Coca Cola.
Oh, it's a Coca Cola.
Yeah.
Oh my God.
I hope I haven't got that wrong.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
But that'll be good.
I think we'll learn about sustainability and stuff.
Hopefully get a free coke.
Yeah, it's a Coca Cola.
Sure.
We have to take it.
Well, we'll take a photo of them for the V socials.
We like that again.
But that's great.
OK, well, and see, you've been absolutely brilliant to have on the podcast.
Oh, thank you.
I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful question here.
Yeah.
Just stop.
Keep going.
No.
OK, brilliant.
Just before we go, do you have any advice for future perspective concrete technologists
or people who are looking to do a KTP in the future?
Well, just like I mentioned earlier, KTP is actually like a project where you actually
have a work plan and stuff, but still that's more about the passion you have in your mind.
Like if you want to make it happen, you can actually make it happen.
And it's also like things are going to get hard and sometimes it's going to confuse you
a lot.
But still, I think you would actually find your way back to it if you love what you're
doing.
And for the people who are actually interested in the world of concrete technology, just
go for it.
Just go for it.
Because I was actually from a different field.
See where I am now.
I'm actually in a concrete sector, working as a concrete technologist, which I probably
wouldn't imagine myself being in this position when I think five years back.
So it's really interesting.
Like so many things are involved with it.
So just go for it.
It's really interesting.
You'll just enjoy the process.
It's really good to hear.
I always try and like set a wee pun into these.
So, well, you said the really insightful, really inspirational like sign off.
Mine is just don't crack up.
Because concrete cracks doesn't work concrete cracks.
So it's like, yeah, it's trying to keep it relevant.
But yeah, brilliant.
Well, Annecy again, thank you so much for coming on.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for listening to Carbon Climates.
If you follow us on Instagram at carbon underscore climates, you can keep up to date with our
latest news and posts.
OK, thanks for listening.
Bye.