With the research- and development project Floatec, Dura Vermeer, together with the Spanish building company Acciona Infraestructuras, are aiming at the development of an innovative, multifunctional and affordable float system.

Climate change, soil subsidence, urbanization and extreme rainfall will increasingly result in flooding of urban areas. By means of water storage the problem can be reduced. The need for water storage in urban areas competes, however, with the increasing scarcity of land.

The Floatec project is aimed at the development of a revolutionary and innovative concept which increases water storage in urban areas without claiming space. The development of an innovative floating system, which functions as a foundation, creates the possibility of multiple spatial use. A combination of water storage with housing, leisure activities and infrastructure is made possible. The technology consists of a basic module which forms the material for a floating foundation on (natural or artificial) water storage basins on which various applications are possible. These applications are: sports fields/public parks, infrastructure, greenhouses, (amphibious) houses, office buildings and even entire residential areas.

The Floatec project is aimed at the development of the basic module. The basic module will be an intelligent combination of composites and EPS. The special properties of this combination of materials are strength, durability, local stress stability and a relatively limited use of material resources. Two aspects are central in the development of the basic module. First, a reduction of the module (production) costs, to increase its market potential. Second, the linkage system which connects the modules. In the project a prototype will be developed.

In this project Dura Vermeer is working together with the Spanish Acciona Infraestructuras. Due to this international cooperation the necessary complementary expertise and experience will be pooled. Dura Vermeer has ample experience and expertise in the field of floating technology and waterproof building, whereas Acciona has ample experience in the field of high-grade synthetic fibres.

Floatec has acquired 'Eureka' status and is eligible for subsidy, on the grounds of the International Innovation Projects Subsidy scheme (Eurekabuild). The project will take 3 years and will be finished in February 2010.

Further information
For further information on this project or Dura Vermeer:
Wouter Nieuwenhuis
e.brandenburg@duravermeer.nl
+31 (0)23 752 84 00