Episode 23 - Plastics, Cement, and the People Who Build Our World with Jonathan Moser

In this conversation, host Bryndis Whitson sits down with Jonathan Moser to demystify the everyday materials we rarely think about: plastics, cement, and concrete. They talk about the massive supply chains that bring them to life, from Alberta’s natural‑gas liquids and hydrocarbon “crackers” to the railcars that ship plastic pellets to manufacturers. Jonathan also shares stories from his time at Dow Chemical Canada, including the logistics and materials technology behind the Vancouver 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Next, Jonathan shares his expertise on building materials: how limestone becomes clinker in 2,000°C kilns (and what clinker is), why that big preheater tower matters, and the crucial difference between cement (the flour) and concrete (the cake batter). Jonathan walks through low‑carbon fuels in kilns, carbon‑capture pilots, and the growing role of supplementary cementitious materials (fly ash, clays, glass) and reused aggregates (recycled concrete, reclaimed asphalt). Along the way, the conversation touches on site logistics, environmentally-friendly technology,  and community engagement, all of which keeps major facilities thriving in Western Canada.