Ready-mix concrete industry signs quality pact with Korean Standards Association, draws 600 professionals

The ready-mixed concrete industry has joined forces with the Korean Standards Association to advance quality management standardization and develop a skilled professional workforce. The initiative aims to strengthen the sector's ability to adopt AI-based quality management technology and respond to evolving industry standards, as the importance of quality control at construction sites continues to grow.

The Korea Concrete Testing Institute, an affiliate of the Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation, said it held the "2026 Ready-Mixed Concrete Quality Management Key Personnel Capacity-Building Conference" at Hotel ICC in Daejeon on Tuesday.

The event drew about 600 attendees, including Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation Chairman Bae Jo-ung; Korea Concrete Testing Institute Director Lee Han-baek; Korean Standards Association Chairman Moon Dong-min; and Korea Concrete Institute Chairman Hong Geon-ho, along with heads of regional ready-mixed concrete cooperatives and quality management officers and practitioners from across the country.

Ahead of the conference, the federation signed an MOU with the Korean Standards Association on standardization and quality innovation in the ready-mixed concrete industry. The two organizations agreed to jointly develop and disseminate quality management standards and training programs, cooperate on certification matters, and cultivate quality management specialists. They will also share field challenges arising from certification criteria and quality management processes, and collaborate on ESG management and carbon neutrality initiatives.

Ready-mixed concrete is a construction material that requires quality control from manufacturing through delivery. The National Institute of Standards and Technology of Korea revised the Korean Industrial Standard "KS F 4009 (Ready-Mixed Concrete)" — which governs the manufacturing and transport of ready-mixed concrete — on Dec. 31, 2024. Quality management in the sector is subject to this product standard as well as related benchmarks such as the standard specifications for concrete construction work.

The conference featured expert lectures on topics including "Ready-Mixed Concrete Quality Management and AI," "Trends in Ready-Mixed Concrete Standard Specification Revisions," and "Understanding the Properties of Ready-Mixed Concrete Binders." Sessions focused on sharing technical information and regulatory updates that quality management personnel can apply directly on site.

Commendations were also presented to individuals who contributed to quality improvement and industry development. The Korea Concrete Testing Institute said it plans to continue strengthening the industry's quality management capabilities through testing, training, technical support and research and development.

"Quality management officers play a vital role in safeguarding the safety of buildings and the living environments of the public," federation Chairman Bae said. "Please uphold the basic principles of quality management and help build a ready-mixed concrete industry that earns greater trust from the people."