Demonstrably circular distribution center

In Almelo, VDR Bouwgroep built the largest demonstrably circular distribution center in the Netherlands. For this, the company called on partners who are also willing to stick their necks out, such as Preco. Since 2019, this total supplier of precast concrete has been located in a completely new concrete factory, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a state-of-the-art concrete plant.

Bleckmann DC is a logistics building with excellent values for the MPG (Environmental Performance of Buildings), MCI (Materials Circularity Index) and LI (Detachability Index). The starting point for logistics service provider Bleckmann was to create a modern building that does not deviate in functionality from what the market is used to, while at the same time fulfilling the government's wish for circular construction. To this end, use was made of the knowledge and experience gained with the Nexteria formula of VDR Bouwgroep, which in turn relies on partners with the same sustainable vision.

As a total supplier of precast concrete, Preco has the themes of sustainability and circularity at the top of its priorities. "All the products we supply are reusable, including the raw materials used," says Merijn Vlogman of Preco. "For the DC in Almelo, we supplied 2,400 m2 of insulated facade elements, 265 m2 of fire walls and 116 m2 of elevator cores. If the elements cannot be used elsewhere in their current form at the end of their lifespan, it is possible to break them down after which the raw materials can be reused. After all, insulation and steel separate very well and the broken concrete acts as a gravel substitute in a new concrete mixture."

The applied sustainable, detachable and circular products at DC Bleckmann are secured in the building passport, so that even 30 years from now it will be clear which materials the building was constructed from. But also which materials can be reused again. "For us it was the first assignment for VDR Bouwgroep, but also the beginning of a beautiful cooperation. By now we already have several projects on order," Vlogman concludes.