Crushed stone and chippings in exceptional grades

Also a logistical challenge

The reinforcement of the Lauwersmeer dike between Lauwersoog in Groningen and the Westpolder is being carried out with special grades of broken stone and split, such as 300-1,000 kg of broken stone and 60-300 kg of stone with a density greater than 3,000 kg/m3. Grades that are highly exceptional by Dutch standards, and which also present a serious logistical challenge. BNR Bouwstoffen knows how to deal with them.

We have been working very pleasantly for many years with Heijmans and GMB Civiel, who are jointly tackling this project under the name Combinatie Waddenkwartier, says Geert Keukens, director-owner of BNR Bouwstoffen. "We are a trading company in materials for ground, road and hydraulic engineering and have been on the road for more than 25 years. We are not a family business, but we are in size and organization. As such, we place a great deal of value on long-term relationships, both with producers and suppliers, as well as haulers and clients. Requests range from a big bag of split in different colors to many tons of broken stone and split for, in this case, reinforcing the Lauwersmeer dike."

Norway

Broken stone in a grade of 300-1,000 kg is quite exceptional for the Netherlands, Geert knows. "Both its production and transport is not easy. To protect dikes and rivers, a lot of quarry stone is brought into the Netherlands from Belgium and Germany, but you can't reach Lauwersoog in Groningen by barge. Moreover, most quarries in Belgium and Germany are not located near the water. So there was quite a challenge there, apart from the fact that there are still few transporters willing to transport such large-format quarry stone at all. The risk of damage is not small." Over the years, BNR Building Materials has established good relationships with production companies in Norway. "It really is a stone country. Incredible amounts of quarry stone and split are produced here. A lot of quarries are also right on the water."

Sophisticated network

BNR Bouwstoffen has several depots in the Netherlands where it stores gravel, sand and broken stone for the Dutch market. "Six years ago we set one up in Eemshaven, and it came in handy for this project," says Geert. "Our regular partner Amasus Shipping sails back and forth between Norway and Eemshaven. The 5,500-ton self-unloading coaster unloads the crushed rock at our depot. A regional crane company then loads the crushed stone onto special steel trailers, after which it is transported to the dike. This project shows what we are capable of as a small company. We have a very fine relationship with producers in Norway, as well as with logistics parties, both by land and by sea. And that all comes together nicely here on the Lauwersmeerdijk."

At the time of writing, BNR Bouwstoffen has already delivered over 100,000 tons of crushed stone and split at the Lauwersmeer dike in several phases. "Most in the 300-1,000 kg grading, but also some 10-60 kg and 60-300 kg. Because a high density of 3,000 kg/m3 was requested for the 60-300 kg grading, we had it delivered from a special quarry. That too is no problem for us. We don't shy away from any challenge," Geert concludes. Combinatie Waddenkwartier has another request for 2025.