Specialist in testing, inspection, control, analysis, certification and design

Represented by SGS INTRON and SGS Roos+Bijl, SGS Netherlands will debut on the InfraTech exhibition floor in early 2025. In Rotterdam, as part of the globally active SGS, the organization will primarily profile itself as a versatile and knowledgeable partner for the GWW sector. Especially when multiple disciplines are needed simultaneously to reach a suitable solution above or below ground.... 

SGS, world market leader in the field of testing, inspection, control, analysis, certification and design, also operates within our national borders with various companies from more than twenty branches. Among them are SGS INTRON, active in Waardenburg and Sittard, and SGS Roos+Bijl, based in Spijkenisse. Both entities regularly work together on various infrastructure projects. For example, during the realization of a new sea lock in Terneuzen or, more recently, during a project of Rijkswaterstaat with the goal of reinforcing the Afsluitdijk. Whereas SGS Roos+Bijl did the project coordination for this last job around the relocation of cable and pipeline works, SGS INTRON mainly focused on the assessment of a number of innovative concrete mixtures. The projects not only confirm the specific expertise of the two separate companies, they also prove that SGS is capable of taking a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to assignments.

Above the ground

"In short, we deal with everything that is above ground," kicks off the introduction round with Mürsel S,ahin, responsible for sales, marketing and business development within SGS INTRON. "As a hardcore materials science research institute, we answer questions about the quality and sustainability of building materials, products and processes. At the same time, we check their compliance with national and international regulations. All this is done from different units, which include forensic damage research, maintenance advice, testing and certification. We even have our own accredited materials laboratory in Sittard, where we can perform all kinds of tests for our clients."

Skilled engineer

At engineering firm SGS Roos+Bijl, underground infrastructure is the domain. "First of all, we design technical cable and pipeline networks for distribution and transport," continues operations manager Erwin Poldervaart. "In addition, we offer comprehensive guidance in the installation, relocation or removal of cables and pipelines. With oil, gas & chemical, energy, water and telecommunications as areas of expertise, we serve a variety of clients, such as network operators, governments, contractors and project developers. For example, when it comes to route design, network management or project management. Large and small clients can also come to us for environmental scans, contracts or support with complex administrative considerations. The cable and pipeline industry holds no secrets for us."

Sustainable solutions

The expertise of both SGS divisions will be displayed in all its glory during InfraTech at stand 6.510, while at the same time emphasizing the added value that the two companies under the SGS flag have in-house in the field of sustainability. An aspect that within SGS is approached as integrally and multidisciplinary as possible and is more topical than ever in the GWW sector. 

"SGS INTRON has been offering various sustainability solutions for years," said Mürsel. "It is a very important added value of our company, especially towards the future. For example, we are committed to the certification of bio-based and recycled products and materials, a branch of sport that is receiving increasing attention within the infrastructure sector. We also conduct life cycle analyses of products and materials so that their environmental impact can be clearly identified. In the Netherlands, these environmental effects are summed up by a weighting factor for each environmental effect into a single number: the Environmental Cost Index (MKI, ed.). In the GWW sector, this is used for calculations. Furthermore, we are increasingly focusing on the development of new construction materials from waste streams. Finally, in the context of reducing CO2 emissions, the validation of innovative concrete mixtures and binders is an important core activity. Our broad team of concrete specialists is happy to assist clients when they want to use a sustainable concrete mixture for a specific project."

Cleverness

Does sustainability in the case of SGS INTRON usually relate to products and materials, at SGS Roos+Bijl the term links primarily to the sheer cleverness of the design solutions offered. "For us, almost all of our services are provided in the context of projects to be realized sustainably," Erwin explains. "In other words, we don't so much give substance to sustainability in a physical sense, with us it's more a matter of how you can contribute through smart thinking and design. A good example of this is a recently scored project where, within the framework of energy transition, gas is being exchanged for hydrogen. A project that once again opens new doors for us to a greener future."