FIB General Assembly: Prefabricated concrete showcases its unique construction methods, its commitment, and its solutions for addressing the water crisis

Statutory event: first General Assembly of the FIB, which became the French Federation of Precast Concrete Manufacturers

The new positioning of the FIB (formerly the Federation of the Concrete Industry) adopted at the beginning of 2026 aims to strengthen the specificities and advantages of the off-site construction method, to distinguish itself from other concrete solutions, in order to accelerate the use of prefabricated concrete and local industrialization in the construction of buildings and infrastructure.

The results of the survey, launched by the new president among members, confirmed his priorities for accelerating actions in favor of prevention and safety, the ecological transition, and closer collaboration between schools, businesses, professional and institutional organizations, and local authorities. In this context, the initiative launched with elected officials on the theme "Prefabricated Concrete: The Plus That Transforms Your Region" aims to better highlight its advantages in terms of decarbonization, adherence to deadlines, well-being, and public acceptance.

This fragile context also impacts precast concrete companies.

While forecasts established at the end of 2025 anticipated the beginning of a recovery in the housing sector and a logical slowdown in public works projects, given the electoral cycle, the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East has reignited tensions and darkened the outlook. The surge in oil and energy prices quickly impacted the costs borne by businesses, and the outlook has become stagnant. Despite the government's stimulus plan, particularly the new tax measures, economic activity is struggling to recover. The ECB's decision to raise its key interest rate to 2,25% risks hindering any potential recovery.

In fact, the volume of concrete products for buildings remains down, -2.5% in the first 4 months of 2026. This represents almost 40 months of declining activity in the sector.

Concrete products intended for public works are down 3%, in cumulative data to the end of April 2025. There are concerns that public procurement investments may be postponed due to increased costs and/or be affected by budget cuts, or that the amounts may be redirected towards new priorities.

In such a context, the precast concrete sector is concerned about the general economic situation, which weakens the entire construction value chain, impacts the activity of its companies, particularly with cash flow pressures.

Environmental sequence

Hydrologist Emma Haziza offered her insights on the challenges, risks, and ways to prepare for the water crisis. Between prolonged droughts and extreme rainfall, managing this resource is becoming a major issue for communities and citizens, but also for industries that must provide concrete solutions to ensure more equitable management.

Because each actor plays a key role in ensuring sustainable access to this vital resource, this theme has been enriched by expert interventions, feedback and good practices from industrialists regarding the implementation of solutions to better manage, save and enhance water on their respective production sites.

Philippe Francisco, Deputy Director of Materials and Durability of Structures at CERIB, presented the study conducted at the request of FIB to gather data on water conservation practices among companies. The study included updated and representative data (148 out of 655 plants) on water consumption and the types of water used by precast concrete companies.

The Water Sobriety Plan (PSH) for the Construction Industries (IPC) sector published by the government in 2024 estimates that all contributors in the sector total 71 to 92 million m3/year of water withdrawals, including 2 million m3/year for the prefabricated concrete sector.

To achieve the national objective of reducing water withdrawals by 10% by 2030, it is imperative to activate operational levers (meters, leak repair, optimization of products and processes, closed-loop recycling, use of non-conventional water, etc.) and to develop construction systems that contribute to water conservation at the level of structures…

• Total production sold = 1,8 million m³ of water withdrawn
• Production of 1 tonne of concrete product (formulation, washing, processes, etc.) = 105 litres of water withdrawn
• Supply sources: 55% groundwater, 35% mains water and 10% (other waters excluding recycling).

The trend is towards lower water withdrawals, with a majority of precast concrete manufacturers having implemented concrete measures: 93% incorporate recycled water into the concretes used, 68% have site plans with water inlets/discharges, meter locations, 67% have changed their processes to reduce water usage, 65% have implemented performance indicators, etc.

The deployment of good practices must continue. The use of non-conventional water sources (rainwater, for example) should be strengthened and promoted, as well as support for industries to help fill wastewater treatment plants, analysis of the regulatory context governing water recycling, etc.

Feedback and best practices from precast concrete manufacturers

Emmanuel Giffard, Head of QSE-CSR at PROPRESO, presented the case of the company's site in Charente-Maritime, which has eight concrete plants, each requiring water (recovery, washing, etc.). The challenge was to implement a closed-loop system, centralizing everything by reusing the water from the different plants. The site already collects rainwater from the roofs.

Stephan Beugnot, Operations Director at A2C Préfa, discussed the environmental transformation of the Sivry and Melun sites in the Île-de-France region, co-financed by the Water Agency. To break their dependence on the water tower and the water table, rainwater was stored in buffer basins and then reinjected for washing. All wastewater flows were analyzed, and overflows for the fire department were installed. Today, the sites no longer discharge wastewater and no longer use any input from the natural environment.

The 3rd National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC-3), whose objectives are sometimes difficult to understand, requires supporting companies in anticipating and structuring themselves. Two industrial companies, CAPREMIB and LG Industrie, have positioned themselves as pilot companies to test the plan, identify the right questions to ask, create a concrete adaptation pathway designed for all stages of the value chain (including suppliers), and share replicable best practices.

The experimental action "Diagnosis of physical climate risks and works - Sectoral guide for adaptation" was carried out in 2025 in collaboration by the FIB, the Directorate General for Enterprises, ADEME and BPI France.

The collaboration between FIB and BPI France aims, firstly, to appoint a BPI France representative, the primary contact for FIB member companies, to inform them about and help them benefit from BPI France programs. The next step will be to consider implementing programs specifically tailored to the precast concrete sector, if needed, particularly in light of specific investments related to the ecological transition.