Archives 2009

In 2005, Vandersanden entered a joint venture with the Dutch brick factory HUWA. Together, they managed 3 modern brick factories in the Netherlands: Spijk, Hedikhuizen and Huissenswaard. 

Now, both parties have agreed to end their collaboration in the Netherlands per 31 December 2009. Vandersanden takes over 2 of the 3 factories completely: Spijk and Hedikhuizen.

As a result, with 5 production sites (3 in Belgium and 2 in the Netherlands), Vandersanden is now the largest brick-producing family business in Europe.

By opting for AlpEnergie, Vandersanden is positioning itself as a real force for sustainable development and is demonstrating its active concern for the environment. This commitment supports in developing new means of producing renewable energy in Europe, which helps to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

AlpEnergie is a 100% renewably sourced energy supply produced in the Rhone valley by the 19 hydroelectric dams owned by Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) and the 7 dams owned by Société Hydroéléctrique du Midi (SHEM) in the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Their electricity production is guaranteed 100% renewable by the German certification body TÜV SÜD.

By choosing AlpEnergie, Vandersanden is demonstrating its commitment to the more responsible use of natural resources.

Every year at the Bouwinnovatie Building Innovation Fair in Hasselt the most innovative product, best stand and energy prizes are awarded by juries of architects, the press and energy experts respectively. This award took place on Saturday 31 January during the traditional celebrations of the building sector at Bouwinnovatie. Zero received the 2009 award for most innovative product from the jury of architects.

At the end of its search of the fair, the jury of architects found in Vandersanden’s Zero a winner that stands out by a head and shoulders. Zero is a new type of brick that allows a joint-free appearance to be obtained using traditional brick-laying methods.

“With this application, Vandersanden has rejuvenated the basic product of the building business. There were a great many solutions for joint-free work on the market, such as gluing. The problem with these is that the contractor has to learn a new technique, has to invest in new materials, etc, so a great many contractors hold back on them. With Zero the contractor can simply continue to use his trowel. The product offers us designers an aesthetic solution that the contractor can realise in a traditional way. To put it briefly, the product is simple and innovative,” reasons the jury of architects.

The prize from the jury of architects was awarded on the basis of the constructional quality of the product and its promotional approach. Criteria included the rejuvenating effect of the project, good value for money, professional information and visual presentation.

Vandersanden will also be demonstrating Zero at Batibouw in Brussels form 26 February 2009 until 8 March 2009, stand 5417. 

www.zerobrick.be

With joint-free brickwork, you can achieve a taut, unsullied facade that gets the most out of the roughness and natural charm of brick. Other valuable advantages:
          - Joints are no longer needed so that scaffolding need not be provided, either
            saving both time and money.
          - The result is visible immediately.
          - Facing brick gets dirty less quickly than joints, which slows down the ageing effect.

Generally speaking, joint-free brickwork is achieved by techniques as gluing bricks or using thin bed mortar. Every method has its advantages and disadvantages and in fact it appears in practice that people often backtrack on the original idea of having joint-free brickwork. Either the methods are too expensive or it is not possible to find a contractor to carry them out.

Question: How can we have joint-free brickwork without coming into conflict with
                the basic rules of traditional bricklaying? 

Answer: ZERO, elegant in its simplicity ! 

ZERO is all about a special kind of facing brick. It has an extra large hollow at the top to which the mortar can be applied. This makes it possible to reduce the joint thickness to 4mm. The bricklayer can simply go about his work with a trowel and ordinary mortar.

The ZERO format 

Traditional bricklaying
            Ordinary mortar and traditional tools are used and the method has no additional 
            difficulties. 
... using a suitable format
            The 204 x 100 x 50 mm format is ideal for laying bricks in a half brick bond.
            There are 90 bricks per m².
... gives a joint-free appearance
            The result is a beautiful, neatly executed brickwork with the purity of brick.

More advantages and info: www.zerobrick.be