AC Materials is part of the Square Group and operates in Ghent on two sites: Wondelgem and Desteldonk. The core activities include recycling of construction and demolition waste, sale of recycled or naturally sourced aggregates, production of foundation products, delivery and pumping of ready-mix concrete, and supply of concrete Blok stacks. You can certainly call this a circular construction company, as they give debris a second life. Jean-Marie de Buck, CEO, explains: "We plan to merge the two sites in Wondelgem and Desteldonk by the end of 2021 at Kluizendok to create a large recycling center. In Wondelgem, we had to relocate due to the construction works on the R4 (a major interchange and on/off-ramp complex will be built). In our search for a new location, we aimed to stay along the R4 axis and be waterborne, as there will be even more multimodal transportation in the near future. We also sought a location where we could conduct our industrial recycling activities with sufficient space, in compliance with dust and noise standards. Kluizendok proved to be the ideal site. We will start development on 15 heCTAres from February 2021. At present, the environmental permit is under review, and we aim to be operational from the beginning of the third quarter in 2021. The total investment amounts to 8 million euros."
Recycling Center:
The merged port is a significant hub for recycling. Where there are industrial activities, recycling eventually comes into play, both for processing products used in the port community and for reuse. Furthermore, the city of Ghent is easily accessible via the R4. De Buck states: "We provide secondary raw materials for concrete plants and contractors. No one wants our activities in their backyard, so to speak, but it needs to be done. At Kluizendok, the ample space will allow us to recycle concrete, brick, and asphalt debris as finely – meaning as pure – as possible, thus adding more value to the recycling streams. This way, we also avoid the use of new raw materials. Over the next twenty years, a considerable amount of old insulation material will also need processing, posing a significant challenge."
Electrification and CO2 Reduction:
In the near future, all their machines will run on electricity instead of diesel generators. "For transport, wheel loaders, and cranes, there are currently no electric alternatives, but we are testing hybrid cranes. We are committed to significant CO2 reduction. Companies understand the need to adapt and prioritize CO2 reduction in the coming years. Hopefully, the political landscape will follow the same trend."
