ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCASTWhy aren’t your concrete forms and release agents performing like they used to?Seth is joined by Ken Pratt, technical director at Swanson Group, and Jonas DeWeber, strategic account manager at Nox-Crete, to discuss what changing concrete mixes mean for formwork.They explain why they believe more reactive mixes are contributing to shorter plywood life, release problems, and unexpected concrete finishes.Seth questions whether adjusting the release agent could solve the problem, or whether contractors need to rethink the entire combination of concrete, plywood, and release agent.The conversation raises a practical question: Are you selecting formwork for the concrete you’re placing today, or the concrete you worked with five years ago?WHAT YOU’LL LEARNHow Ken and Jonas connect C595 blended cement mixes to changes in formwork performanceThe difference between barrier and reactive release agentsHow concrete chemistry and exposure time can affect plywood overlaysWhat distinguishes MDO, HDO, and phenolic surface filmWhy an overlay designation alone may not define the performance you needHow release-agent selection can affect stripping and surface appearanceWhy Ken is researching melamine overlays and what challenges remainWhy concrete discoloration may involve more than plywood or release agentsHow pre-bid collaboration and mock-ups can help prevent costly surprisesWhy finish requirements and specified form materials sometimes conflictCHAPTERS(01:43) Introduction and episode overview (02:08) Guests’ backgrounds and concrete formwork experience (03:02) Supporting the podcast and listener engagement (05:03) C595 blended cement and formwork performance (05:50) Reactive concrete mixes, plywood, and release agents (08:07) Concrete chemistry and overlay deterioration (10:04) MDO and HDO overlays explained (12:07) Concrete alkalinity and formwork (14:19) Matching release agents to reactive mixes (15:18) Extending plywood life and managing formwork costs (18:16) Overlay technology and plywood durability (21:11) Can one formwork and release-agent combination work everywhere? (24:06) Getting suppliers involved before construction (25:40) Coordinating mix designs, formwork, and finish expectations (35:22) Key takeaways for contractors and project managers (37:01) Connecting with Ken and JonasGUEST INFOKen Pratt Technical Director Swanson GroupGuest link: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/ken-pratt/Jonas DeWeber Strategic Account Manager Nox-CreteGuest link: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/jonas-deweber/CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYConcrete changed. Has your understanding kept up?Concrete Logic Academy offers practical concrete education, professional-development courses, and early access to Concrete Logic Podcast episodes. Members also had the opportunity to submit questions for this conversation.Join Concrete Logic Academy: https://concreteschool.coSUPPORT THE PODCAST