Moerdijk, New Silo Ecocem | Foundations and concrete work mean added value for Ecocem's new silo

There is no need to make something complex if it can also be simple

The Ecocem Group recently had a new silo with a storage capacity of 4,000 m³ built along the waterfront in Moerdijk. As a result, the sustainable binding agent Eco2cem can no longer be transported and exported by road in bulk trucks only, but also by ship. De Kuiper Infrabouw from Hardinxveld-Giessendam, specializing in infrastructure, infrastructure construction and engineering, was selected for the realization of all earthworks, foundations, site paving and precast concrete elements.

In addition to the site paving, the order also included the construction of a weighbridge and a technical room.

The foundations for De Kuiper Infrabouw were laid as early as 1965. As with many other companies in the Netherlands, the origin lies in contracting, where results are achieved mainly through hard work. The De Kuiper brothers grew their company into a professional contractor, known primarily for its versatility. For several years now, the company has focused entirely on infrastructure, infrastructure construction and the engineering involved in these projects. "Due to our central location in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, we mainly serve clients in South Holland, Utrecht, Zeeland and North Brabant. 75% of our orders come from government agencies, the rest from other companies," says director Jan-Willem Meerkerk. "Our team consists of sixty driven employees, one by one with many years of experience. Both owners, Wouter and Martin de Kuiper, are also running the company full time. In recent years, the demand for an integral approach to projects has also increased: from the design phase, through execution to even the maintenance and management phase."

De Kuiper Infrabouw was commissioned in the spring of 2018 to perform all earthworks for the construction of the new silo at Ecocem.

New silo at Ecocem

This is how De Kuiper Infrabouw first came into contact with Ecocem Benelux B.V. in 2014, the subsidiary of Ireland's Ecocem Materials Limited, which specializes in the development and production of an environmentally friendly cement-like binder. "We were commissioned to carry out all the foundations and earthworks for the construction of their new office. They were so pleased with the result and the service we were able to offer them, that in the following years we were regularly contacted to carry out projects for them. We became their court supplier, so to speak, for all civil and concrete work," the director continues. "When Ecocem started the construction of a new silo in the spring of 2018 to transport the binder Eco2cem no longer only by bulk road trucks but also by ships, we were commissioned to carry out all concrete works - foundations, site paving, weighbridge and the technical area - as well as the production and delivery of various precast concrete elements." De Kuiper Infrabouw thus mainly carried out the preparatory works for this project, which was done entirely in consultation with the other contractors for the site, including the Italian builder of the silo.

De Kuiper Infrabouw produced and delivered many precast concrete elements for this yard.

Result counts

The time pressure was extremely high, so good planning was of great importance for a smooth realization. Moreover, various side orders were added during the process. De Kuiper Infrabouw succeeded and the result can be seen. "We do often realize concrete works of this size. Still, this is a nice reference project for us, which should allow us to win more similar projects in the future," Meerkerk concludes. "We don't just execute, but also always think along with our customers. After all, there is no need to make something complex if it can also be solved simply."