For the first time, a loading pit made of geopolymer, the sustainable alternative to cementitious concrete

This applies to the steel structure, the drainage system, ... and even the loading pit. Rouwmaat, concrete supplier, supplied RAMAC geopolymer produced with the SQAPE technology, an innovative, sustainable and circular alternative to conventional cement-based concrete.

SQAPE technology has been around for several years and is being used in an increasing number of applications. Of the traditional concrete mix, which consists of sand, gravel and cement, the last element is replaced by a less environmentally damaging binder system composed of selected mineral residues, alkalis, an activator and patented additives. This results in a CO2 reduction of up to 80% and a particularly low MKI value. "In addition to our activities in the areas of earthworks, civil engineering, raw material transport, recycling and environmental engineering, we are above all a full-service supplier of concrete, mortars and flooring materials. To this end, we have an up-to-date machine and vehicle fleet and are always looking for innovative solutions. Therefore, in addition to conventional concrete, we also offer our customers RAMAC geopolymer based on SQAPE technology," said Jan Smit, director of concrete at Rouwmaat Group. "When we looked in June with Aan de Stegge Twello at how we could offer a circular solution for the realization of the loading pit for DAVO's new building, we suggested geopolymer, because this material can be reused without any problems, for example as aggregate in new polymer or concrete." 

Monitoring

SQAPE has already been used in precast concrete products such as bricks, tiles and road pavements. It is a durable material that reduces cracking, guarantees a high degree of acid resistance and provides good adhesion. "With every project, however, you have to deal with a different contractor and application. For example, this is the first loading pit with an inclined track and walls. Freight trucks will drive over this every day, so we had to take into account temperature fluctuations and weather conditions," said Jordi van Herel, product manager at SQAPE. "We co-follow the projects and monitor them after completion. For the new construction of DAVO, we first examined in the laboratory what an application under slope angle entailed. Together with Rouwmaat, we supported the processor during preparation, pouring and finishing. After all, the result depends not only on the quality of the product, but also on the processing and post-treatment." 

SQAPE and Rouwmaat want to serve even more projects to better monitor long-term behavior. Those who have been working with concrete for years know this sustainable alternative, but to convince the new generation to work with RAMAC, examples are important.  

Circular stormwater system provides unprecedented reduction of water mass on roof

Building requirements are more stringent than ever. In addition to a safe and comfortable environment, sustainability is a prerequisite. In the case of DAVO's new building, circularity is added to this, because thanks to intensive cooperation with various suppliers of circular building elements, the building can be completely disassembled and reused. Together with Brink Staalbouw, Van Dalen Installatietechniek and main contractor Aan de Stegge, Aliaxis went in search of circular solutions with added value. The result is a world first, namely a 100% circular rainwater system.

"Akasison, like all roof drainage systems, is not immediately the sexiest product, but it is a highly functional and safe solution that meets very high standards. After all, if the roof collapses due to the failure of the system, this can have serious consequences for people and business," says Hilbert Pool, business development manager at Aliaxis. "Our solution reduces up to 30 kg of water per square meter on the roof. This also allows savings on the steel structure. Our project engineers prepared this down to the smallest detail and further worked it out in close consultation with the various construction partners, enabling an optimal result to be achieved."

"This solution also proves that a circular construction process does not have to be more expensive than a conventional way of working," adds consultant Cor van Dijken of consulting firm COR. "In the future, the polluter will pay for the costs and then there is a chance that it will even be cheaper to build with sustainable products. Clients can already take advantage of several environmental tax breaks today. Those who bring in Aliaxis' Akasison full-fill system under company asset code G6440 enjoy a net benefit of 9%."

100% pluggable installations fit perfectly into a circular construction project

As in many other segments, circularity is gaining importance in construction. Isolectra, which specializes in pluggable installation, responds perfectly to this trend by using elements that can be reused without any problem and by reducing the materials. Cor van Dijken, the driving force behind circularity in the new DAVO building in Deventer, contacted the company at an early stage to help think about principles and solutions. 

"Our starting point, of course, is our pluggable electrical installations that eliminate loose cords, conduits, junction boxes and splice sockets. We provide a ready-made solution with cords in length, connectors and a distributor, which greatly simplifies the life of the installer on the construction site. If the installations eventually have to be dismantled or modified, everything can be disconnected without any problems and the elements can be used again," explains general manager Werner Hulst. "Originally, Isolectra was a distributor for various top brands, but today we are also developing our own pluggable systems, and that from the perspective of circularity. Therefore, for the project in Deventer, Van Dalen Installatietechniek asked us to work out a pluggable solution for the data installation together. We proposed a solution with Plastic Optical Fiber, where the installer needs less material for this data installation 95%. The number of cables is reduced to a minimum, which also makes the cable trays smaller and lighter. The collaboration between Isolectra, Van Dalen Installatietechniek and Cor van Dijken ultimately resulted in a unique and innovative circular plug & play data and electrical installation at DAVO."