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Tectum Group realizes world first with first circular flat roof.
Tectum Group is realizing a roof renovation at the Retail Estates site in Kampenhout where they are installing the first fully circular flat roof. Thanks to patented system components, the entire roof system can be integrally dismantled and reused. The mechanically anchored EPDM roof membrane has a longer lifespan than any other waterproofing solution, and can later enjoy an intact second life, along with the mounting components made of indestructible aluminum. The foundation for a quality "2nd hand roof" has been laid! The precious and scarce (fossil) raw materials no longer leave the material cycle.
Tectum Group wants to pioneer the demand for a 100% circular, demountable and reusable roof. This to support its own ESG vision, but also to contribute to the working agenda of Flanders Circular and the European ESG goals.
"We were happy to grant our roof renovation for this test case that fits into our ESG strategy, where we are investing 10 million euros in making our stores more sustainable this year," said Koenraad Van Nieuwenburg, CIO of Retail Estates, "because we too want to learn more about sustainable and circular applications."
In the presence of Minister Zuhal Demir, we braved wind and rain today for the launch and viewing of the first circular flat roof. The innovative roofing system is launched under the Tectum house brand BossCover, under the name "BossCover Circular System".
Flemish Minister of Environment Zuhal Demir: "With this project, our entrepreneurs prove once again that technology and innovation show us the way to a sustainable economy and a livable Flanders. As a minister, I can only be proud of that. I am pleased that our construction companies are also striving to use resources efficiently and effectively. After all, that is the essence of circular construction."
The roof is located on the storefront (Nordex/Standard Bookstore), Mechelsesteenweg 89a, Kampenhout.
Click system "Certefix" prevents discarding
Today, bonded (EPDM) or flamed (bitumen) systems are most commonly done. Ballasted roofs are partly loose-fitting roofs, but they make up only a small percentage of the market. Glued or flamed, if such a roof breaks down, the "glued cake" is only good for the incinerator.
Filip Biesmans, Tectum Group director and head of innovation explains: "Based on our sustainability philosophy, as a company we set out to find the circular roof that is dismountable and therefore simply reusable, preferably with a second life as a roof! You don't damage the materials and you can remove the waterproofing membrane in its entirety. That implies that you don't use glue anywhere."
Filip continues: "The waterproofing membrane is recoverable as a foil and the upstands are not glued either, in the bilge (ed. the transition from the flat part to the upstand of a roof) we are going to snap on the waterproofing foil. We named this patented system Certefix. The eaves are also screwed to the edge of the roof, again with a patented system. We did its development in cooperation with our partner Claerhout Aluminium."
Reuse versus recycle
"Our desire is to reuse the membrane again as waterproofing on the roof. We are giving the roof a second life," says Rudy Evens, CEO of Tectum Group: "The membrane is recovered, not recycled into another application. Recycling EPDM remnants into a new product we already did that, more specifically into roof tiles. But this innovation goes much further and really represents a big step regarding circularity in the construction sector."
Rudy continues: "We are exploring business models in which we take back roof membranes that are end-of-use. Reinforced strips are applied to the EPDM for reinforcement, allowing us to reuse the membrane in the future. Roll it up and roll it out again! The click system as well as the eaves can also simply be reused."
A new (environmentally friendly) world of possibilities
The demountable and reusable roof fits perfectly into the new trends of flexible and modular construction.
"Putting an extra floor on your home or building, called optopping, becomes easy and sustainable," Rudy explains, "because you dismantle your entire roof and then mount it on the next floor. This way, building dreams can be realized in stages or the building becomes flexible and adaptable to changing needs."
We can also anticipate any additional insulation standards in the future. If you wish to insulate additionally, you can easily remove the foil, insulate additionally and then reinstall the foil.
The choice of EPDM
Filip Biesmans is clear: "There is no waterproofing product without fossil resources." EPDM is an inert material. This means that UV radiation and weather conditions do not affect EPDM's properties. And so EPDM, with a proven lifespan of 50 to 60 years, sometimes has a longer lifespan than the building.
Filip clarifies, "You use fossil raw materials once, but can then keep the product in a tremendously long life cycle, as an original product. Moreover, with 1.2 to 1.5 mm thickness, EPDM is a thin material, so the environmental cost is more favorable compared to the thicker 4 mm bitumen roofing membranes. I'm not just talking about transportation, but also production: we simply need less fossil raw material compared to bituminous membranes to create a roof membrane."
In conclusion: challenges
"With the circular roof, we are taking a very important step in the right direction," Filip says with satisfaction, "Doing nothing is not an option! But many challenges remain, because my dream is a fully circular, functional and smart building envelope. So our R&D department continues to run at full speed and bet on the entire roof and facade." laughs Filip.
We are going to look even further into how we give as much value as possible to the EPDM membrane that we recover. How are we going to be able to market this as a 2nd hand membrane? Tectum Group wants to work with other stakeholders, such as Buildwise (formerly WTCB) and other institutes, to find the right long-term solutions.
We are also continuing our research on insulation, vapor barrier and primers without solvents. The combination of a circular loose roof with a biodiverse extensive green roof is also a great challenge. "We're going for it!" says Filip: "And of course we want to offer all our solutions to our customers with the necessary guarantees."