First climate-positive precast concrete plant opened in Soltau - with formwork from RATEC

Many years of research and high investments have made possible what the industry has been collaboratively working on for a long time: producing concrete with fewer emissions or even carbon-neutral, thereby significantly reducing the carbon footprint of precast concrete buildings. Concrete accounts for nearly eight percent of global CO2 emissions, mainly caused by emissions and energy consumption in cement and clinker production. In Soltau, the climate-positive concrete is achieved through a special mixing process that can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent. By adding carbon-reducing materials, the concrete mix becomes climate-positive, absorbing more CO2 than is consumed in its production.

We are pleased to have been involved in this milestone project as a formwork supplier. RATEC supplied the MST formwork system (Universal Plywood Beam) for the start of operations of the plant. The MST allows for manual configuration and offers flexibility in length and height.

Part of the equipment were also the Standard Pro magnetic boxes, which serve as the base for the MST system, as well as attachment and corner angles for forming window and door openings.

Furthermore, the formwork specialists developed a spring-mounted fixed edge formwork in two different heights, which can be used for elements with wall thicknesses from 100 to 600 mm. The lower edge formwork features a robust steel front and can be used with attachments from 100 to 300 mm in height. For the higher variant of the edge formwork, suitable for a wall thickness of 275 mm and above, an innovative solution was developed to enable the replacement of the formwork skin. It is equipped with both holes for attaching formwork timber and keyhole brackets for steel fronts. By using attachments, the formwork can cover up to 600 mm in height or wall thickness.

Thanks to this versatile configuration, flexible production of various wall thicknesses is ensured, while the formwork equipment can be easily complemented or expanded as needed.

Detailed reports on the plant and its opening will follow in the coming months in relevant trade magazines.

Photo credit: AndreasAux, Pixabay