PROCEMCO is a key partner in the construction industry in Colombia.
May 06, 2025
ASTM International partners with organizations around the world to introduce standards to society and global markets, thereby improving efficiency, performance, quality, and safety. Though there are many from which to choose, Standardization News will be publishing some of the most notable success stories in this space.
Use of Standards
PROCEMCO is a key partner in the construction industry in Colombia. The organization has referenced numerous ASTM standards in its work with Colombian standardization committees, such as the National Roads Institute’s (INVIAS) Pavement Specifications Review Committee; the INVIAS Cement Stabilization Review Committee; and the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC) Standardization Committees.
Employing ASTM standards in Colombia has allowed the material production and construction processes for both infrastructure and building projects to be carried out using high-quality standards that ensure performance and durability.
Some key standards used include:
- Standard performance specification for hydraulic cement ()
- Standard test method for compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars (using 2-in. or [50 mm] cube specimens) ()
- Standard test methods for chemical analysis of hydraulic cement ()
- Standard specification for mixing rooms, moist cabinets, moist rooms, and water storage tanks used in the testing of hydraulic cements and concretes ()
Benefits of Using ASTM Standards
Colombian technical standards, which are based on ASTM standards, set the specifications and construction codes for much of the building in Colombia, especially cement and concrete production. PROCEMCO promotes compliance with these standards by creating standardization committees; promoting laboratory accreditation schemes; training professional staff in standards and quality testing; interlaboratory tests; and more. All of which results in:
- Lower unforeseen maintenance costs due to product quality deficiencies;
- Fewer quality claims due to lack of testing or poorly executed tests;
- More efficient construction performance through the implementation of standardized processes;
- Regulation of new products in the market with standardized methodologies;
- High-quality production and placement of products, which increases the quality and durability of projects.
The benefits are also felt on the ground. Following these standards helps builders increase the quality of materials, avoid project delays, and reduce the likelihood of worksite accidents or building malfunctions. Creating high-quality standards helps make projects safer and more efficient, for both builders and consumers.
Sustainability
In the cement sector, ASTM standards are a key reference to ensure the quality, sustainability, and efficiency of products and processes. ASTM standards help industries meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the “2030 Agenda,” which contributes to responsible production and consumption, and the development of sustainable infrastructure.
These standards include specific guidelines for reducing carbon footprints and optimizing resources, which are fundamental aspects for the cement and construction industry.
ASTM works on developing standards for clean and sustainable technologies, facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy. In construction, the implementation of these standards has driven more sustainable practices, which improves energy efficiency in buildings, reduces the use of natural resources through the incorporation of recycled materials, and increases the resilience of infrastructure to natural disasters.
In line with these efforts, PROCEMCO and cement companies have integrated climate action into their strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. This is reflected in initiatives such as developing products with lower emissions and sustainable construction solutions; monitoring and reporting CO2 indicators as a member of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA); and identifying climate risks to propose adaptation measures. Additionally, work is being done to replace conventional fuels with cleaner alternatives, improve the thermal efficiency of processes, and reduce clinker content in cements – with a commitment to offer carbon-neutral concrete under the 2050 Climate Ambition Plan.
Conclusion
Standards help industries meet the needs of the day, and ASTM’s work with PROCEMO has shown that standards help lead to a quality product, create a more productive world, and (in a literal sense) pave the way for the future. Above all, this partnership has illustrated that, when it comes to ASTM standards, safety and efficiency go hand-in-hand. ●
Organization Snapshot
Organization Name: Cámara Colombiana del Cemento y el Concreto PROCEMCO
Location: Bogotá, Colombia
Number of employees: 20
PROCEMCO’s Director General: Manuel Lascarro is a former ASTM board member and recipient of ASTM’s 2024 W.T. Cavanaugh Memorial Award.
Description: Founded in 1985, the Cámara Colombiana del Cemento y el Concreto is a non-profit trade organization whose members include the leading cement, ready-mix concrete, prefabricated concrete, and construction chemicals companies in Colombia. In addition to its trade role, where it leads the sector’s roadmap toward carbon neutrality by 2050 and promotes road safety, PROCEMCO carries out activities to improve quality and sustainability in construction in Colombia. PROCEMCO is a member of the Inter-American Cement Federation (FICEM) and the Ibero-American Federation of Ready-Mixed Concrete (FIHP).
May / June 2025
