FiberCore Europe participates in Innovation Expo 2018

FiberCore Europe has been invited by Rijkswaterstaat to participate in the Innovation Expo 2018 at the Rotterdam RDM site. With the innovation SUREbridge we are part of the Road to the Future; the exhibition of Rijkswaterstaat within this Living Lab. And we are proud of that!

Global Challenges: Dutch Solutions
October 4, 2018 is the day, when the RDM Submarine Wharf in Rotterdam South will be transformed into one big Living Lab! Experience, experience and watch more than 150 innovations at the Innovation Expo, on the RDM site, the innovation hotspot in the Port of Rotterdam.

Taking innovations further, realizing breakthroughs and thereby contributing to the social challenges we face in our country and in the world, that is the goal of the Innovation Expo 2018. With this biennial event, the government offers a stage to companies, knowledge institutions, social organizations and governments to bring innovations into the limelight of a broad national and international audience.

In addition to experiencing high-profile innovations, connect with the innovation network of investors, companies and policymakers at IE2018. Get inspired at one of more than 40 sessions. Visit the interesting keynotes by Ahmed Aboutaleb, the Mayor of Rotterdam and Louise Fresco, Chairman of the Board of Wageningen University & Research, among others.

Global Challenges
Innovation never stands alone, but is a prerequisite for progress. Never before have we known so much that we need innovation to keep our country safe, livable and accessible. At IE2018, major social challenges take center stage; across the world, more and more people are moving to cities. This has dramatically changed the way we live, work and live. The pressure on our living environment is increasing. We want - more than ever - to combat scarcity by thinking differently about consumption and waste. Modern ways of living and working require a modern infrastructure. Climate change also requires innovation in dealing with water and energy. We face the challenge of producing better food for more people with the same earth and distributing it well.

Dutch Solutions
In the Netherlands, we work together in national and international public-private partnerships. This interplay is part of the success formula. From the idea to a new product or service, ready for scaling up. Innovators, decision makers, policy makers, enablers and users work together on innovative solutions. Taking innovations further, realizing breakthroughs and thereby contributing to the social challenges we face in our country and in the world. That is the ambition of the IE2018 on October 4.

SUREbridge: SUstainable Refurbishment of Existing bridges

In the 1960s and 1970s, thousands of concrete bridges were built in Europe, but many have suffered concrete damage due to concrete rot, heavy loads and intrusion of de-icing salts. In addition, their capacity has become inadequate due to increased and heavier traffic. About 10 percent of all concrete structures need major work already in the next few years. Instead of demolishing these bridges and building a new one, SUREbridge provides a sustainable solution.

SUREbridge is one of the key initiatives within Infravation; a partnership of 10 European countries, the United States and the European Commission promotes innovations to improve infrastructure. Participants are focusing on developing new materials and techniques to modernize severely outdated road infrastructure on both continents.

Rijkswaterstaat, FiberCore Europe, Chalmers University of Technology (Malmö-Sweden), AICE Consulting S.R.L. and University of Pisa worked closely together in this project. With the innovation SUREbridge using InfraCore® Inside technology, FiberCore Europe can significantly increase the capacity and functionality of existing concrete bridges. The lifespan is significantly extended, while hardly any maintenance is required. Old concrete structures do not have to be demolished, there is less inconvenience to local residents and, in addition to the financial effects, there are significant environmental benefits. The technology underlies the composite bridge decks that FiberCore Europe has been producing for a number of years.