Episode 4: “Water Is Death, But Water Is Needed”: 200 Years of Cement with Rick Blackburn

What does 200 years of Portland cement history have to do with the concrete being placed today? More than you’d think. In this episode of Concrete Conversations NYC, host Michael Nicolia (‪@elmtransitmix‬ ) sits down with Rick Blackburn of St. Mary’s Cement — a 30-year veteran of the concrete industry, longtime educator at the St. Mary’s Concrete School, and one of the most respected voices in cement chemistry and mix design. From the Bronx Terminal at Oak Point to the burning kilns of 1820s Portland, England, Rick takes us through the science, history, and modern conversations shaping the concrete industry today — including the regional discussion around Type 1L cement. In this episode: • The Oak Point Marine Terminal & its WEDG certification • Type 1L cement and what the latest research actually says • Workability vs. slump — and the “Friday Five” problem • SCMs, the sustainability paradox & accelerated construction • “Water is death, but water is needed” — Rick’s golden rule of mix design • The shift from prescriptive to performance-based specifications • 200 years of Portland cement — from Joseph Aspdin to modern chemistry • A special guest appearance and question from Alex Nicolia (GM of Ready Mix, Nicolia Industries) • The story behind the Bronx Terminal opening (and one unforgettable hard hat moment) Whether you’re a producer, contractor, engineer, finisher, or simply concrete-curious — this is essential listening. Recorded April 15 2026 Connect with us: 🌐 cibofnyc.org 📧 [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @concreteconversationsnyc Concrete Conversations NYC is produced by the Concrete Industry Board of New York City — an ACI chapter for the region. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube.