New concept for the international AAC industry

The AAC Academy was established to train industry experts and create a strong network for the continuous exchange of knowledge and experience. With the intention of holding this event at different locations worldwide on an annual basis, the AAC Academy also aims to develop and promote global strategies for the marketing of AAC in the construction industry.

The three-day event in Istanbul offered an extensive program that highlighted various aspects of AAC production and application. Workshops and presentations by recognized experts provided the participants with state-of-the-art knowledge and practical experience. Topics such as sustainable production, innovations in material technology, and efficient construction methods were discussed in-depth.

The Welcome Reception at the event hotel Double Tree by Hilton kicked off the AAC Academy, offering a great ambience and amazing views of Istanbul and perfectly setting the scene for the participants to meet and get to know each other.

Workshops and presentations

For many participants, the workshops represented the heart of the AAC Academy. The programme consisted of three workshops and two lectures. Two of the workshops aimed at AAC manufacturers. Focussing on different aspects, the two workshops complemented each other very well, thanks to the skilful cooperation of the two presenters.

The introduction was made by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Oecknick, owner of PSA Zurich Area GmbH from Switzerland, whose workshop on the topic: "A complex approach to autoclaved aerated concrete – the path from raw material to sustainable exterior wall" build the foundation for the technical program of the event. In this workshop, the challenges at the interfaces of production, quality management and marketing were discussed, covering various topics from raw materials to the AAC outer wall itself. Based on decades of professional experience, Jürgen Oecknick provided valuable information on several aspects, including interactions of raw materials at the interfaces of the production process, technological considerations for the selection of sustainable cements, key parameters in all production stages - control and consequences in the event of deviations from the target value, the formation of cracks in certain production stages, performance comparison of an AAC wall with other exterior wall systems, and strategy development for product marketing.

As already mentioned, the second workshop covered a completely different topic area. Jens Hornstein, Senior Partner at Kerkhoff Consulting from Germany, gave exciting insights into the world of awarding contracts and price negotiations, which are often underestimated topics and which are rarely included in expert training. His workshop entitled: "Sustainably increase profit contribution by optimising processes and costs along the value chain in purchasing" clearly showed the participants that purchasing and procurement in an AAC plant have a lot of potential for optimization. Basic strategies were explained that enable a goal-oriented negotiation in which one can also react optimally to unforeseen events. During the workshop, the importance and relevance of this topic became increasingly clear to some of the participating delegates. 

Another workshop offered to members of the supply industry dealt with the topic of Future Leadership Skills. Sabine Erspamer, founder of the Dare & Heart Academy and consultant for leadership and internationalization from Belgium, raised the question of what the corporate management of tomorrow will look like and how entrepreneurs can prepare for it. Mastery of the seven most important future skills is the basic prerequisite for success in international business. These core competencies were explained and discussed in detail. The workshop was designed to present delegates with a deep insight into the challenges facing leaders today and an idea of what will happen in the future if one just continues as before.

A networking break in the afternoon provided some respite for participants whose heads were spinning from the wealth of information and ideas. The so-called Market Place Networking Break offered opportunities to engage with the supplier industry. A total of 11 international companies presented their product solutions and services in the exhibition, representing the whole industry range from plant manufacturers for complete AAC production facilities to consumables suppliers and service providers. This opportunity to obtain first-hand information through personal discussions and direct interaction was also used intensively.

Two concluding lectures rounded off the technical programme in perfect style. Simon Tauber and Andreas Brugger from the Progress Group represented the Italian full-service provider for reinforcement solutions, whose subsidiary, Progress Maschinen & Automation, ensures the highest possible degree of automation in machine and systems technology for the production of AAC slabs. In addition, the company offers software solutions for AAC production.

Next to the company's technical solutions, Simon Tauber and Andreas Brugger also introduced the reinforcement solution, which delegates had the opportunity to experience live during a site visit at the Türk Ytong plant on the following day. The Progress Group was also the main sponsor of the AAC Academy.

Prof. Dr. Alper Ilki, Professor of Structural Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Türkiye, had the honour of presenting the concluding lecture, in which he discussed building with AAC in seismic regions. His presentation entitled "State-of-the-art testing, design and construction in seismic regions" provided deep insights into the behaviour of AAC components in the event of an earthquake. Years of scientific research, as well as numerous experimental studies and in-situ investigations form the basis of his extensive knowledge, which Alper Ilki presented to the participants in an insightful overview.

Networking as an essential component

The event organization by AAC Worldwide, the only international trade journal for the AAC industry, ensured a high level of expertise and professionalism. In addition to the technical side of the event, a strong focus was placed on providing participants with the opportunity to exchange ideas, because an essential component of the AAC Academy is the space for networking. The participants were able to make valuable contacts, exchange their experiences and initiate cooperations. This central component of the AAC Academy is intended to help advance the AAC industry on a global level and to foster information exchange and knowledge transfer.

An exclusive boat trip on the Bosphorus was followed by dinner on the riverbank and offered further opportunities for networking in a social atmosphere. Enjoying perfect weather and undisturbed city views, the participants were able to relax and conclude the evening on a high note.

The factory visit was the cherry on the cake

The factory tour at Türk Ytong was a real highlight for many participants. This modern AAC plant was put into operation in 2019 and is still considered state-of-the-art today. At the Dilovasi production site, both blocks and panels are produced with an annual output of approx. 500,000 m³. The participants were guided through the plant in three groups and presented with detailed information about the plant technology.

AAC Worldwide has broken new grounds with the AAC Academy. The regular source of information in a trade journal has now been transformed into a real event created by experts for experts. With this internationally unique event, AAC Worldwide was once again able to prove itself as an indispensable platform for the players in the industry.

In summary, the first AAC Academy in Istanbul was a complete success. It laid the foundation for future events and demonstrated the enormous potential of international cooperation in the AAC industry. The participants went home with valuable insights and new contacts, ready to implement the impulses gained in Istanbul in their respective countries and production sites.

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