Export: Danish company enters the German concrete market

German concrete element manufacturers have spotted Combitherm A/S, which helps optimise the curing process and save energy in production. This is the result of a targeted export effort by Combitherm A/S.

The German eyes are on the company Combitherm A/S in Denmark when high energy costs and the desire for more efficient concrete element production arise. For example, Weber Betonwerk GmbH, one of the largest German concrete element plants, has received help from Combitherm to cover their concrete elements to optimise the curing process.

Combitherm specialises in the production of special thermal mats in environmentally friendly materials that help to achieve a smoother curing process, and also save the manufacturer energy, as the temperature in the production hall does not have to be so high.

"We have a very strong belief that our concrete duvets can make a difference when it comes to the quality and productivity of concrete element manufacturers. Therefore, we also invest heavily in the export of our concrete duvets to relevant markets, including for example Germany, which has a large concrete element production. We have been to several fairs and confirmed the interest, says COO Torben Hallstrup from Combitherm.

Control temperatures

These efforts have already yielded results:

"We are successful in helping both Danish and now also German manufacturers of concrete elements with our thermal solutions. And with fluctuating energy prices, there is money to be saved. Our specially developed and customized concrete duvets make the hardening process smoother, and thus the risk of cracking and to rapid cooling is minimized significantly", says Torben Hallstrup, COO of Combitherm A/S.

Another advantage is that by using the Danish thermal mats in production, you can organize the curing process more precisely. In some cases, this can mean that the hardening can happen faster, and the concrete element can therefore be taken out of the mold earlier. This can be a gain in terms of productivity.

High heating costs

This is also the case at Weber Betonwerk in Germany. Here, the daily production of 50 balconies and 30 stairs is covered with thermo concrete duvets.

After a series of initial tests with positive results, the orders for concrete duvets came from the German group:

"The initial tests were so satisfactory that we ordered 50 thermo concrete duvets in different sizes in order to completely cover our daily production," says Kevin Knobeloch, Quality Manager, Weber Betonwerk. 

Customisation

The approximately 10 mm thick insulation in the thermo concrete duvets is made of Polywool®, a material made from 78% recycled PET bottles. The different formats and sizes of the mats are manufactured according to individual customer requirements.

"We now use the concrete duvets for all balconies to ensure consistent quality on the underside of the balcony and to avoid quality differences in the surface structure of the individual balconies," says Kevin Knobeloch. "Also, there are no problems with cracks caused be shrinkage." We work with lightly compacting concretes of strength class C45/55 and higher, which develop a higher heat of hydration. With the help of the thermal concrete duvets, heat is better retained in the components", he adds. 

When winter hits the construction site

Even when winter sets in with frost and snow on the construction site, help is available. Combitherm A/S also manufactures winter mats for covering in-situ castings. This means that you can work longer on the construction site and that the hardening of plinths, foundations, etc. can take place under controlled conditions.

"With the fluctuating climate with frost and a lot of precipitation, the winter mats provide some more flexibility on the construction site," says Torben Hallstrup.

Going to German fair

Combitherm will soon be exhibiting at the large German concrete trade fair BetonTage in Ulm, which will take place 20-22 June 2023. Among other things, the fair hosts Europe's largest concrete congress, where around 2,000 participants from 20 countries share knowledge about the latest trends in concrete technology, manufacturing processes and standardization.

World-class customised thermal solutions

Combitherm is amongst the leading European manufacturers of flexible, tailor-made and energy-saving thermal solutions for a wide range of industries working with temperature-sensitive products and processes and where temperature fluctuations must be kept to a minimum.

Our products include thermal covers, concrete duvets, winter mats, asphalt duvets, blade covers, truck partitions as well as insulating mats, all of which are important elements when the cold chain needs to be secured during transport and storage of e.g., foods and medicine or when casting and curing processes needs to be stabilised within the wind turbine and building & construction industries.

Additional Info

Questions can be directed to COO Torben Hallstrup on th@combitherm.dk or (+45) 2334 0180.

Read the case about Weber Betonwerk and how they use the concrete duvets

Photo: The employees at Weber Betonwerk in Germany cover the production of 50 balconies and 30 stairs daily with thermo concrete mats from Combitherm, to optimize the curing process and save energy.