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"The partnership project aimed at halving emissions is ambitious. It has required the close cooperation of the entire value chain. At the same time, it shows that the circular economy solution we have developed that utilizes industrial side streams works also in large construction projects. We have been doing development work with IBF for a long time. Now there is a product on the Danish market that radically cuts emissions compared to traditional products," says Ville Voipio, Betolar's Chief Commercial Officer.
IBF's 90-millimeter-thick paving stone solution consists of two parts. Its base structure is completely cement-free Geoprime material where cement is replaced by side stream material from the steel industry. Cement is used in the six-millimeter-thick surface layer to ensure durability concerning frost and thaw.
In the production of paving stones, as a whole, IBF uses cement 90 percent less than before.
"We have spent many development hours and conducted a lot of experiments to find a substitute for cement that can meet the requirements for strength and durability. The stones must withstand heavy lorry traffic, and they are subjected to heavy twisting when the trailers are moved on-site. We have succeeded with Geoprime as a binder," IBF Product Manager Esben Mølgaard says.
Truck traffic requires a sturdy surface
A 1.5-hectare parking area with a capacity of 110 truck trailers has been built in Denmark's fourth largest port. While taking care of the strength and wear resistance of the pavement, the goal of the project was to cut CO2 emissions.
By using side streams, the product supports biodiversity and meets the global requirements of the circular economy. IBF has prepared a CO2 emission calculation based on the requirements of the European construction standard (EN15804). The port of Aalborg can use IBF's calculation to document the reduction of its own CO2 emissions.
"Our goal is to be a pioneer in sustainable development in our field. In the tendering, IBF was the most innovative concrete manufacturer that was able to demonstrate a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of more than 50 percent. The emission reductions we set were exceeded when using IBF and Betolar's solution," says Brian Dalby Rasmussen, Project Manager at the Port of Aalborg.
No difference in handling and installation
About 1,000 m2 of paving stones were laid per day, and such high productivity is also important to minimize environmental and climate impacts, as it shortens the operating time of the machines.
"The more climate-friendly paving stone has the same properties as traditional paving stone, and the installation of 15,000 m2 has not differed from the installation of traditional paving material," says Lone Høyer Sørensen, Project Manager of the project's contractor, Arkil A/S.
"IBF's new paving stone is slightly more expensive than usual. However, since the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is considerable compared to the additional price, this was an obvious choice. At the same time, we wanted to support suppliers who are committed to sustainable development," states Lone Høyer Sørensen.
The consultants of WSP, an international professional services company for the built environment, who have participated in the partnership project, were impressed by the CO2 reduction. For WSP, the Aalborg port project is a reference project. WSP’s goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 50 percent in all its projects by 2030. At the national level, the Danish government is aiming for 70 percent emission reductions by 2030.
Betolar Plc
Communications
About Betolar
Betolar Plc is a Finnish materials technology company that offers the production of sustainable and low-carbon concrete with the Geoprime solution. The solution converts industrial side streams into a cement substitute.
Betolar's artificial intelligence innovation can significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to traditional cement-based concrete production by optimizing existing manufacturing processes, supporting solution development with advanced analytics, and creating global markets for side streams. Betolar's mission is to help reduce CO2 emissions and the use of virgin resources.
Betolar was founded in 2016 and is domiciled in Kannonkoski, Finland. Betolar is listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Read more: www.betolar.com
About IBF
IBF is one of the leading manufacturers of concrete products in Denmark. Since 1960 the family-owned company has worked with the production, development and sales of paving stones, tiles, roofing tiles, drainage pipes and wells, concrete ready mix and customised solutions. Read more: www.ibf.dk/en
More information
Martta Valkola, Head of Marketing and Communications, +358405471981, martta.valkola@betolar.com