Smart automation
We are realising Together to Zero, our pledge to be fully carbon-neutral by 2050, by making our production processes smarter and more efficient. After all, by focusing our efforts on smart automation, we are saving on raw materials and energy, and we are reducing our transport emissions. Smart automation also means lower costs, fewer errors and better quality.
Building a climate-neutral Europe
By 2030, the European Commission wants to see 35 million poorly insulated homes and offices renovated, and by 2050, the aim is for all buildings in Europe to be climate neutral. In other words, the challenges ahead are huge — and as the construction sector, we intend to pull together to offer the necessary answers. We are doing so through smart solutions to save on raw materials and energy, while also meeting the strictest guidelines in terms of quality, safety and ecology. Together with our partners, we have developed RoboBrick®, which we are using to process brick slips in an automated way.
RoboBrick®: faster, better and a lower environmental impact
RoboBrick® is a complete solution that automatically glues brick slips to wood, steel, concrete or insulation materials. We are integrating this system in our new and existing production lines, in close partnership with our clients and suppliers. As a result, we are now able to process brick slips more quickly, more efficiently and with fewer errors. The system also requires 60% less raw materials and energy. On top of that, the volume of brick slips we can transport in one go is three-and-a-half times greater compared to full-sized bricks, meaning the environmental impact of our transport is also significantly reduced.
Prefab with sustainability guarantee
The fact that the growth in (partially) prefabricated construction elements is showing no signs of slowing down shouldn't come as a surprise. As things stand, prefab elements are already being used in one out of three construction projects in Europe. A lower cost of failure (and lower costs overall), less transport, lower carbon emissions and faster building times are just a few of the benefits offered by prefab. At Spaansen, RoboBrick® is processing no fewer than 2,500 brick slips every hour — a volume fifteen times greater than usual. On top of that, with a twenty-year warranty on the gluing and adhesion of the brick slips it produces, the system guarantees sustainability in the long term.
Towards a carbon-neutral future
At Vandersanden, we believe that societal challenges in the construction sector are best tackled together. As Europe's largest family brick and paver business, that's why we are combining our expertise with the know-how offered by clients and suppliers. Just like Together to Zero, RoboBrick® is the result of that type of partnership. This industrial facade system has since been successfully rolled out at our partners Spaansen, Iibo, Prefaco and Westerveld Nederlof.
Together to Zero
Together to Zero is our pledge to be carbon-free in our operations and production by 2050. Together with our partners, we make this happen in several areas, reflected in eight domains. Smart automation is one of these domains: together with our partners, we are making our production process smarter, more efficient and more sustainable. In doing so, we are offering solutions to the challenges climate change is posing, in construction and elsewhere.
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Contact us
Victor Albers
For all your advice on industrial solutions.
+31 6 833 615 55 v.albers@vandersanden.com Ask your question