100th BENOR certificate for hydraulically bound mixtures goes to JacKri

At the end of April, certification body COPRO issued the 100th BENOR certificate for hydraulically bound mixtures to JacKri from Bilzen. This company - located in the province of Limburg and active in ground and infrastructural works - specializes in recycling and opened a state-of-the-art stabilizer and concrete plant in 2022. This certificate represents an important milestone, both for the independent certification institution COPRO as well as for JacKri itself.

Since the approval of the very first regulation TRA 21 in 2008, COPRO has gradually expanded the certification of hydraulically bound mixtures, eg sand cement 3MPa (stabilizer), cement-bound crushed stone foundation IIA or lean concrete. “ Starting from version 2.2 of the SB 250 (standard specification for road construction), published in 2010, this certification system guarantees the quality of hydraulically bound mixtures for foundations. As from then, the number of certified companies has systematically increased. ” explains Toby Verdin, Certification Manager at COPRO.

The 100th BENOR certificate was recently issued to JacKri, a company that has focused on earthworks since 2008 and started processing construction debris into recycled granulates in 2016. “ In May 2022 we opened our stabilizer and concrete plant. This certificate confirms the quality we deliver, we are convinced that this will boost our company, ” says Ellen Theuwis, director of JacKri. “ With 100 certified companies, qualitative hydraulic mixtures are available everywhere in Flanders. This has a significant impact on the ecological footprint of these products, ” adds Toby Verdin.

Within the road and infrastructure sector, efforts are being set today and in the near future to further reduce the ecological footprint. Annually, approximately 2,700,000 tons of hydraulically bound mixtures are produced under the BENOR brand. “ It is a plus in the circular economy that mainly recycled sands and granulates available on site are used instead of natural sand and granulates that have to be delivered out of quarries. Transports are therefore getting shorter, the figures of CO2 emissions are dropping. Cements with a lower clinker content can also be used as a binder. So we embrace this certificate within the green story we are currently writing with manufacturers in the road and infrastructure sector, ” says Toby Verdin.

With the 100th certificate we have a nice geographical spread throughout Flanders. This has a significant impact on the ecological footprint. Transports are getting shorter, CO2 emissions are dropping.

COPRO – Toby Verdin – Certification Manager

“ Our production plant is located at the exit of the E313, an ideal base of operations, and the fact that everything takes place in one location, from collecting construction debris to reuse in untied and bound applications, contributes to sustainability and an efficient short chain, ” says Ellen Theuwis. And this is a trend that is also clearly tangible for COPRO. “ In recent years we have seen an increasing number of crushing plants that want to operate their own installation. This enables contractors to carry out the entire cycle – from degradation to reuse – in-house. This idea stems from the circular economy and the use of recycled granulates, ” confirms Toby Verdin.

As a certification body, COPRO carries out inspections and controls to ensure the continuous quality of products used in the construction sector. “ Hydraulically bound mixtures literally form the foundation, the basis of roads. Knowing that you are only as strong as your weakest link, the quality of these mixtures must therefore be monitored structurally. If not, you will get subsidence, surface damage or other problems on our roads. Our mission is therefore to organize, coordinate, harmonize and improve quality in the construction sector. ” Toby Verdin.

COPRO’s external, impartial audits help us to improve our quality.

JacKri – Ellen Theuwis - Director

The collaboration between JacKri and COPRO is a good example of how external, impartial controls can grow companies. COPRO not only offers control in itself, certificate holders can contact the certification institution with all their questions. “ This way we can continue to grow and develop in line with the highest standards for quality and sustainability. And we are very grateful for that, ” Ellen Theuwis continues.

This year, the certification body expects to issue the first technical data sheets for BENOR-certified draining lean concrete. The test methods and the type examination were developed by the Research Center for Road Construction during the study “ Be-Drain ”. This innovative water-permeable foundation is also defined in the SB250 and fits seamlessly with the green story that COPRO is committed to.

In the meantime, COPRO is continuously developing. The future of hydraulically bound mixtures promises a range of new challenges and initiatives. Industry is expected to continue to develop new compositions to further increase circularity, reduce their CO2 emissions and respond to infiltration and buffering. COPRO will support these efforts, with a focus on quality and sustainability.

Read more about hydraulically bound mixtures here.