Prevention is the key word in the renewal task

The Dutch infrastructure is at a turning point. Many bridges, viaducts and other engineering structures are struggling with wear and age. According to TNO research, many infrastructures will soon reach a critical limit. Over the next few years, hundreds of artworks will need to be renovated. "It is five to twelve," says Bram Woerdeman, GWW specialist at HIM Products about this. "And there's no need for that. Because the solutions to meet these challenges are simply there."

A longer life with wear layers

According to Woerdeman, wearing courses play a crucial role in this large-scale renewal task. "They are system solutions pur sang. They mark the difference between short renovation projects or long-term shutdowns with high costs and traffic congestion. With wearing courses you strike a double blow. On the one hand, they ensure that structures are operational again more quickly, and on the other, they structurally reduce maintenance requirements."

To extend or accelerate the service life of bridge decks, RoRo-linkspans, parking decks, ramps and walkways and bike paths
take, HIM Products has developed two innovative wear layer systems. 

Himgrip Fast is the fastest solution in the range and offers a solution for emergency repairs. "After only four hours, this wearing course is walkable and after eight hours it is passable," Woerdeman figures. In contrast, if a BRL K19143 certification is desired or required, Himgrip NT is the go-to wear layer. "In developing this premium wear layer, the focus was on maximum protection with minimal environmental impact. It has a strong preventive effect: the substrate is optimally preserved. The wear layer meets more stringent BRL K19143 standards in terms of adhesion, road safety and product formulation, as laid down in the assessment guidelines of certification body Kiwa."

Also a key role for crack bridging systems

While the focus in infrastructure protection is often on wear and tear, there are other challenges that affect the durability of structures. One is cracking, which typically occurs as a result of mechanical loading and shrinkage and expansion stresses. Woerdeman: "Our crack-bridging floor system HIM Elastic seals the substrate well even in these conditions. It has been tested and approved to the toughest class of crack-bridging. By working with crack-bridging systems, local governments and contractors can save a lot of money on major maintenance."

ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified

HIM Products takes the topics of quality management and environmental management extremely seriously. "We don't settle for half solutions. If you go for something, do it right. That's our position," Woerdeman says firmly. To reinforce those statements, HIM Products has the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications. And it doesn't stop there. "Sustainability, future-proofing and safety are the pillars of our GWW solutions. Then we think it is only logical that the people who work with our products day in and day out deserve the same guarantee. Welfare comes first, in everything we do. We work ARIE-proof, which means that our work complies with stricter, industry-specific health and safety guidelines for a safe working environment."

Protection that endures

"The future of infrastructure starts with thinking ahead. By making smart and sustainable choices now, we prevent emergency repairs from becoming the norm. Those who take responsibility now, literally and figuratively lay the foundation for safe, reliable infrastructure for generations to come. Ultimately it's about certainty: not intervening only when things go wrong, but being ahead of the risks. That is where the difference is made," Woerdeman concludes.