The leading voice for the crushed stone, ready mixed concrete, sand and gravel, and cement industries' community.
PELA is a 10-month hybrid program with online and in-person educational sessions and networking opportunities.
Careers in the Aggregates, Concrete & Cement Industries
The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) is the industry’s unified voice, representing more than 200 member companies across the state.
Creating a unified and strong voice for our industry.
PACA monitors and analyzes local, state and federal regulations and advocates for a balanced approach by the regulators.
PACA builds a bridge between our members and our partners at PennDOT, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission along with Pennsylvania’s construction industry to further the use of our materials to the benefit of the commonwealth.
One of the most effective tools in government relations for an industry is a robust advocacy/grassroots strategy.
In the last legislative session, we contributed over $275,000 to our political champions.
November 2025 at Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA (PACA members only event).
PACA offers comprehensive concrete certification programs for ACI, NRMCA, and PennDOT in the central Pennsylvania area.
Membership has its privileges - most of PACA's events are open to PACA members only.
PACA conducts numerous education and training events during the year.
Choose concrete for your next parking lot project.
Streets built with concrete are built to last, consider concrete for your next project.
Concrete's strong, resilient and the choice for your next building or bridge.
PACA works with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) to convert your parking lot or building project to concrete without hurting your bottom line.
PACA drives a member-approved strategic plan to increase market share and engages specifiers and owners on the value of concrete in their projects.
This program provides free continuing education to the design and specifying communities. There are currently four courses available, ranging from 30 minutes to 60 minutes focused on the cement, aggregates and concrete industries. You'll receive a certificate of completion once you pass a quiz. The bookmarking feature allows you to leave the course and resume where you left off when you return.
Net-zero is the gold standard in green construction. The term “net-zero” says it all. A net-zero structure uses less energy than it generates. It combines energy-efficient construction with on-site renewable energy. Solar, passive solar, wind and geothermal are common energy sources.
ICFs contribute high R-values, thermal mass and continuous insulation to net-zero designs. Energy efficiency is important today and likely even more important in the future. For example, Pennsylvania's residential rate of 12.75 cents/KwH ranks it 16th in the nation. Today more than ever, the home is a sanctuary. With ICF construction, it’s a quiet one as well. ICFs reduce street noise and the sounds common on windy days. ICFs are also storm, fire, insect-resistant.
Builders embrace net-zero construction because it’s more cost-effective than ever. Although ICFs are most commonly fabricated from expanded polystyrene (EPS). Some consist of extruded polystyrene (XPS) or recycled polystyrene. Standard ICFs are usually rated around R-22. Additive ICF systems offer up to R-40 insulation, a real plus in net-zero construction. To better visualize the ICF construction process, check out this time-lapse video from the Insulated Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association (ICFMA).
Net-zero structures built with ICFs already deliver energy savings in the state. For example, the Lombardo Welcome Center at Millersville University is an early example of net-zero success. In its first year, the $10 million Lancaster County building generated 75 percent more energy than it required. The ambitious design includes 500 rooftop solar panels and 20 geothermal wells. It saves the university an estimated $5,000 per month in energy costs. The International Living Future Institute has certified more than 100 projects. The Lombardo Welcome Center ranks third.
Quadlock details “Five Steps to a Successful Zero Energy House.” Part of the process is to take advantage of concrete’s thermal mass. The post declares unequivocally, “Build exterior walls and floors with concrete.” The thermal mass of concrete reduces seasonal temperature swings. It transmits relatively constant ground temperatures through the footings and into the home.
Fox Blocks ICFs are also used in net-zero designs. Energy savings can exceed 50 percent. Their ICFs feature core widths of four to 12 inches, and form widths of 9.25 to 17.25 inches. Ship-flat designs reduce transportation costs. BioFriendlyPlanet concludes that “ICF construction is by far the most superior technique.” Continuous insulation on both sides of the form eliminates thermal bridging. ICFs also deliver the airtight construction that’s so crucial to net-zero structures. A CLEB Laboratories study compared two whole wall construction techniques. One used standard 2x6 studs while the other used ICF forms. The latter delivered energy savings of 58 percent.
Net-zero residential construction runs the gamut from modest to upscale, to which these case studies will attest.
Talk about happy accidents. New York builder Anthony Aebi simply wanted to build a more energy-efficient home. Aebi built his first zero-energy home "when his search for a better building material led to insulated concrete forms (ICFs).”
After Aebi completed the 3,912 sq ft Gardiner, NY, home, he brought a tester to the site. Aebi learned that he “accidentally” built the first net-zero home in the Northeast. Projected energy savings are $228,000 over the life of a 30-year mortgage.
The crew poured the basement slab over 4.3 inches of closed-cell spray foam rated at R-27. ICF blocks extend from the slab to the roof. Sealed seams contribute to a drainage plane that eliminates housewrap. Steel reinforcement of the R-22 ICF walls adds to the home’s storm resistance. They also make it earthquake-resistant. An elastomeric door and window flashing delivers airtight, waterproof protection. LED lighting is used exclusively throughout the residence.
The home is remarkably airtight. Testing reveals an 0.12 ACH 50 which compares well to the Passive House Institute standard of 0.60 ACH 50.
Golden Eagles nesting on the site of a Colorado home inspired the name “Eagle Rising.” Storm resistance and sound attenuation were crucial requirements at the windy, hilltop site. ICFs were the perfect architectural and engineering solution.
High R-values, airtight construction and thermal mass contribute to coveted net-zero performance. So does radiant heat, passive solar heating and solar shading. ICF Builder named the project “Best Custom Home.”
Deltec Homes is a company headquartered in Asheville, NC. Deltec disproves the idea that net-zero ICF construction is only for upscale residences. It offers a series of cost-effective designs priced from less than $100k. Deltec delivers LEED-certified homes that are more affordable than their non-LEED counterparts.
Value retention and energy savings both drive return-on-investment (ROI). ICF net-zero construction often requires higher materials costs upfront. However, that expense is offset to a degree by reduced labor costs. Owners pour less money into labor and more into tangible assets. Current owners and future buyers all value the low-maintenance durability of ICF construction. Maximize benefits for all parties with third-party certification. It is important for builders and buyers alike. Constructing homes to net-zero standards is good business. Builders with net-zero expertise garner attention from environmentally conscious homebuyers. “Zero energy” and “zero energy-ready” certification assures homebuyers that they are getting what they pay for.
The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) maintains the SpecifyConcrete.org website. The association serves a diverse constituency that includes contractors, suppliers and others. SpecifyConcrete.org delivers emerging information about industry innovations. For further assistance, please contact us.
February 22, 2024
Proficient carbon calculations are increasingly important as “Buy Clean” legislation proliferates. New York and Colorado are among the states that now require carbon calcs for public projects. An estimated 40% of emissions are from the built environment. According to one estimate, the planet’s total building floor area will double by 2060. This makes the concrete industry a key player in the quest for net-zero emissions products and projects.
February 15, 2024
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) notes that cement production is “so carbon intensive that even though cement makes up less than 15% of concrete by weight, it accounts for 90% of concrete’s carbon footprint.” The use of fossil fuels to fire cement kilns is a key source of these carbon emissions.
February 08, 2024
In the quest for reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, everyone has a role to play. In the concrete industry, this includes everyone from manufacturers to contractors, and from trade associations to governments. Here is a review of some of the major initiatives impacting concrete’s sustainability.
February 01, 2024
Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) requires high-temperature calcination of limestone. It is possible to use various emissions-reducing pozzolans in concrete. Fly ash comes from coal-fired power plants. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) comes from steel mills. Another SCM is metakaolin derived from kaolin.
The program is delivered in one (1) module and it should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You will receive a certificate of completion once you pass the quiz. The bookmarking feature will allow you to leave the course and resume where you left off when you return.