RILEM

Bilbao · 13–16 September 2027

3MC3: 3rd RILEM International Conference on Mineral Carbonation for Cement and Concrete

The third conference in a growing international series on CO2 mineralization, carbonation chemistry, cement-based materials, and low-carbon binder research.

RILEM

About the conference

Advancing mineral carbonation science for cement and concrete

3MC3 will bring together researchers, engineers, and industry professionals working at the intersection of CO2 mineralization, cement chemistry, concrete technology, SCMs, and carbon capture and utilization.

3MC3 is the third conference in the Mineral Carbonation for Cement and Concrete series. The 1st edition took place at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, in 2024, and the 2nd edition took place at Tokyo University in Japan in 2026. The Bilbao meeting continues the series with a strong emphasis on scientific depth, international participation, and discussion across laboratory, pilot, and industrial scales.

The conference will also include a special session linked to the EU MSCA Doctoral Network CONTRABASS, creating dedicated space for doctoral research, training-oriented exchange, and discussion on carbonation of calcium silicates and aluminates in low-carbon cement systems.

Project title: Zero-CO2 cemeNt ThRough cArBonation of cAlcium Silicates and aluminateS

Project number: 101119715

Funding: European Research Executive Agency (REA)

Call: HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Scientific scope

Conference topics

01

Carbonation mechanisms

Reaction pathways, kinetics, thermodynamics, moisture effects, and phase evolution.

02

CO2 mineralization routes

Capture, utilization, and mineral binding strategies for cement-based systems.

03

Secondary resources and SCMs

Valorization of slags, ashes, recycled fines, and other alkaline residues.

04

Low-carbon binders

Alternative cementitious binders, blended systems, and carbonation-enabled formulations.

05

Testing, modeling, and characterization

Advanced experimental methods, thermodynamic assessment, and microstructural analysis.

06

Upscaling and concrete performance

Industrial implementation, durability, mechanical behavior, and lifecycle assessment.

Planning

Important dates

1 November 2026

Call for abstracts opens

Submission guidelines and topic categories will be published here.

31 January 2027

Abstract submission deadline

Final date for oral and poster contribution submissions.

30 April 2027

Notification of acceptance

Authors will receive decisions and presentation format information.

1 May – 1 September 2027

Registration

Registration opens on 1 May and closes on 1 September 2027.

Special Issue in Cement and Concrete Research

Selected original contributions presented at 3MC3 Bilbao 2027 will be invited to submit a full paper to a Special Issue on CO₂ mineralization for cement and concrete.

Read submission information

Program

Scientific program

The program will include keynote lectures, oral presentations, short oral presentations, and poster sessions. We will continue the MC3 “single-room” philosophy, without parallel sessions, to maximise impact and discussion among participants.

View scientific program
Plenary lectures Invited talks from international leaders in carbonation science and low-carbon materials.
Technical sessions Oral contributions on mechanisms, recycling, mineralization, binders, and scale-up.
Poster sessions Interactive presentation format for detailed studies, methods, and emerging results.
RILEM Technical Committee meetings 309-MCP: Accelerated mineral carbonation
311-MBC: Magnesia-based binders in concrete

Speakers

Invited speakers

Confirmed speakers will be announced as the scientific program develops.

Speaker information coming soon

This section is prepared for keynote and invited speaker profiles, affiliations, talk titles, and abstracts.

Contact the organizers

Organization

Organization & Committees

Meet the conference chair, the MC3 Advisory Board, and the local committee.

View committees

Venue

Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao offers a distinctive setting for 3MC3, combining industrial heritage, materials innovation, and internationally recognized architecture along the Nervion estuary, with strong relevance for sustainable construction and industrial decarbonization research.

3MC3 will take place at Bizkaia Aretoa, the University of the Basque Country's conference venue in Bilbao.

Explore the venue

Registration

Registration details will be announced

Registration categories, fees, deadlines, and payment instructions will be added when available.

Expected information

  • Early and regular registration periods
  • Student and standard participant categories
  • Conference dinner and optional events
  • Cancellation policy and invoices

Abstract submission

Abstract submission

Read the submission procedure, abstract preparation requirements, review criteria, and presentation format options.

Submission information

Contact

3MC3 Bilbao

For scientific, organizational, sponsorship, or participation questions, contact the organizing team.

Email mc3conference@ehu.es Conference Secretariat

Collaborating entities

Collaborating entities