Test setup basement wall RottaNova with self-healing concrete by crystalline technology

The Rotterdam project RottaNova is experimenting with self-healing concrete that actively protects itself against water seepage. The application of Penetron Admix SB in one of the basement walls show how innovation and circularity go hand in hand on the way to low-maintenance and circular concrete structures.

Between the iconic Market Hall and the Hoogstraat, RottaNova is currently rising: a project that not only looks ahead architecturally, but also technologically. One of the basement walls is experimenting with an innovative application of Penetron Admix SB - a crystalline additive that gives concrete a remarkable property: it can repair itself. The trial marks an important step toward more sustainable and future-proof construction.

From protection to renewal

Who says concrete, says solidity, but also maintenance. Water seepage is still one of the greatest enemies of underground structures. Traditionally, that problem is tackled with membranes and coatings. Effective, but laborious and difficult to reuse. With Penetron's crystalline technology, the perspective shifts: protection becomes part of the material itself.

Pores

Adding Penetron Admix SB directly to the concrete mix creates a waterproof structure without additional layers or coatings. As soon as moisture enters the concrete, the active components react and form microscopic crystals that seal capillary pores and cracks up to 0.5 millimeters. If water later re-enters the material, the process restarts automatically. “It works like a cut in your hand that heals by itself,” says Olivier Suerickx, Managing Director of Penetron Benelux. “The result is low-maintenance concrete that continues to actively protect itself - a fundamental step toward circular and low-CO2 construction.”

Smarter for the environment and wallet

The principle of active self-healing concrete has far-reaching consequences. Because membranes and coatings become unnecessary, a large part of the consumption of materials and the associated failure costs disappear. Moreover, the technology significantly extends the service life of concrete structures - in some cases by decades. “Self-healing concrete is not a nice-to-have, but a necessary step toward future-proof construction,” said Suerickx. “Less maintenance, fewer replacement cycles and more certainty make the technology interesting for contractors, clients and designers who want to combine sustainability with efficiency.”

Collaboration in practice

The application in RottaNova is the result of close cooperation between Dyckerhoff Basal, TBI company J.P. van Eesteren and Dura Vermeer, NEOO and Penetron Benelux. Dyckerhoff Basal handled concrete production and effortlessly integrated the additive into the mixture. On behalf of the construction consortium, Niki Loonen, concrete technologist at TBI, played a pioneering role in choosing Penetron. The project is considered an example of how innovative materials find their way into construction practice through cooperation between producer, contractor and supplier. “The test setup in RottaNova also provides valuable data on the performance of the material under urban conditions,” Suerickx said. “With this technology, Penetron is the world market leader. It is applied in more than a hundred countries and in a variety of projects - from tunnels and bridges to water treatment plants and port infrastructure. In Belgium, Penetron is
among others, applied for Holcim Go4Zero, the Beaver Tunnel, the Oosterweel connection and various maritime projects. Hopefully, RottaNova will contribute to a broader knowledge building around self-healing concrete in the Netherlands.”