Future-proof infiltration buffers for stormwater 

Having previously participated in several other infra-related events, ROCKWOOL Rainwater Systems will be present at InfraTech for the first time in 2025. A visit to stand 4.406 is well worthwhile. That promises Corinna May, marketing manager on behalf of the developer and manufacturer of the unique rainwater infiltration system Rockflow®. "We are happy to share our vision of climate-proofing public space and real estate during the trade fair."

Participation in InfraTech 2025 is actually a logical thing for ROCKWOOL Rainwater Systems, which has been active for several years as an inventor and manufacturer of innovative water storage and infiltration systems. "Not only did we hear good signals from our target groups about the event, the visitors to the fair are also very diverse," explains Corinna. "Especially the latter made us decide to participate. Simply because with our Rockflow® system we can provide a broad group of clients with answers to climate adaptation questions and the resulting water-related challenges. It is precisely this added value that we would like to bring to the stage in mid-January in Ahoy. Towards municipalities, project developers, civil consultancies and contractors. But also to housing corporations and companies that must meet the rainwater storage requirements and as a result are looking for a solution for the controlled collection and disposal of rainwater. We are happy to update everyone." 

Solution

Composed of fully circular stone wool, Rockflow® offers enormous potential when it comes to collecting, cleaning, reusing and disposing of rainwater in urban environments. Daan Los, urban climate adaptation consultant within ROCKWOOL Rainwater Systems, explains, "Today's cities are home to more and more people. This not only increases the need for more and better infrastructure, it also means that we have to look ever smarter and more efficiently at what we do with the rainwater that comes down in ever-increasing quantities. The focus here is on less nuisance, cleaner water, more greenery and better quality of life. With Rockflow®, ROCKWOOL Rainwater Systems has a sustainable, future-proof solution ready to tackle such problems and meet the challenges." 

In the small space

The sponge-like system (extensively tested by both ROCKWOOL itself and various external research institutes) has now been used successfully in more than 400 projects. In addition to being used under newly constructed buildings, industrial halls and homes, Rockflow® is mainly used in public spaces for line infiltration, or the sustainable and efficient storage of rainwater. "In large cities, water buffering is often a major challenge," Daan believes. "For example, space underground is limited and you have to deal with all kinds of pipes and cables. That often makes it difficult to incorporate a solution for fallen rainwater." With Rockflow® line infiltration, that headache is a thing of the past. Thanks to its high carrying capacity, design freedom and ditto flexibility during construction, limited space under roadways, bike lanes or pedestrian zones is no problem at all. Furthermore, the versatile system not only has a very high buffering capacity, but also a dense fiber structure, which filters the water. "With Rockflow®, water can be quickly and easily collected locally, stored and infiltrated into the soil," explains Corinna. "A delayed discharge to the sewer is also possible."     

A rock of a system

Rockflow® offers great advantages:

* High water buffering capacity;
* No transmission line required for stormwater drainage;
* Continuous and reliable water absorption and infiltration;
* Flexibly applicable under buildings and existing infra;
* Easy to clean and inspect;
* Long service life of at least 50 years.

One solution to triple challenge 

How do you infiltrate rainwater against the backdrop of high groundwater levels, heavy showers and prolonged periods of drought? In response to this question from the municipality of Groessen, ROCKWOOL Rainwater Systems found a flexible, natural and sustainable solution with Rockflow®.

Partly due to a high groundwater level, they were looking for a solution in Groessen (near Arnhem) for the collection and infiltration of rainwater. A challenge that required taking into account existing cables and pipelines underground. "If a solution with a rainwater drainage system was chosen, the existing cables and pipelines would have to be rerouted or the pipe would end up deep underground in the groundwater," says Daan. "So that was not an option. Rock wool was. We provided an infiltration solution that met all the special requirements."

Specifically, ROCKWOOL Rainwater Systems in Groessen replaced the existing rainwater runoff over a stretch of 800 meters with Rockflow® line infiltration under the road. From now on, rainwater is efficiently collected under the street at this location. Where the water falls, infiltration into the subsoil takes place naturally.