Tobias Laurens has been appointed Managing Director of the Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC). He brings a fresh view on the concrete and construction industry, with a strong focus on measurable sustainability and transparency across the value chain. In his new role, he will work closely with the CSC team and stakeholders to strengthen the organisation’s global impact and support a more sustainable built environment.
Could you briefly introduce yourself and share what motivated you to take on the role of Managing Director of the Concrete Sustainability Council?
I’ve been working in and around the concrete industry for nearly ten years, with a strong personal and professional commitment to making the construction sector more sustainable.
What motivates me is the belief that the concrete industry can, and must, become measurably more sustainable through transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. I see opportunities everywhere in the value chain, and I think pursuing these opportunities is one of my personal drives to work in this sector.
Driven by my personal belief that the concrete industry can and must become measurably more sustainable, I am looking forward to be working together with the team to help build a sustainable, safe, durable and comfortable future.
What initially attracted you to CSC’s mission, and how do you see its role in advancing sustainability and decarbonisation across the concrete and construction value chain?
Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in the world. It’s per cubic meter environmental impact is usually modest, but because it is produced on such a massive scale, its overall footprint is significant. At the same time, it is essential for resilient, safe, and durable infrastructure. CSC’s role is to bring transparency and structure to a very complex value chain. The framework helps companies understand their sphere of influence and make informed, responsible choices across sourcing, production, and governance. From my own experience, CSC provides clarity in a complex sustainability landscape and supports companies in moving from ambition to measurable action.”
What are your key priorities for CSC in the short to medium term?
In the short term, my priority is to listen, learn, and build a deep understanding of the team, the market, and our stakeholders. Creating clarity and focus internally is essential. In the medium term, I want to professionalize the organization with the team and the board and articulate a clear strategic direction for CSC, defining where we want to have the greatest impact and how we can further expand our global influence.
How do you see CSC strengthening its impact and relevance within the global sustainability landscape, particularly in relation to policy, market expectations, and other certification frameworks?
I see CSC increasingly acting as an umbrella framework for the concrete industry. Companies are facing growing regulatory, policy, and market-driven sustainability requirements.
CSC can help align these expectations into a coherent, credible certification system that strengthens companies rather than adding complexity. In this way, CSC becomes a practical tool for navigating the global sustainability landscape.
How will you ensure that the CSC system continues to evolve while maintaining its credibility, robustness, and practical value for companies worldwide?
Maintaining credibility and robustness while evolving the system is critical. CSC’s technical committees and industry experts play a key role in ensuring the framework remains rigorous, relevant, and practical.
At the same time, the construction sector is undergoing a major transition — towards circularity, lower CO₂ emissions, and more efficient use of resources. CSC’s strength lies in its holistic approach, addressing sustainability across the entire value chain rather than focusing on a single metric.
What message would you like to share with CSC-certified companies, partners, and the wider CSC community as you begin this new chapter?
I want to thank all CSC-certified companies and partners for their commitment to responsibly sourced concrete. CSC exists because of your engagement and effort.
I’m grateful to become part of this community, and I look forward to working together to strengthen the impact of CSC and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.