Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
More attention to life-extending maintenance. That is the appeal of Sieger Dijkstra, director/owner of the newly independent ESHA Infra Solutions. In road construction, action is often only taken when there is visible damage, while preventive maintenance in particular has great advantages. “You don't paint your house when the paint is peeling and the wood is already rotten,” Dijkstra says. “So why do we do that with roads?”
ESHA Infra Solutions is a Dutch specialist in bituminous products and solutions for road construction and civil infrastructure. From its facility in Groningen, the company works on safe, sustainable and reliable infrastructure. The company develops and produces PMBs for asphalt mixtures, adhesive layers, sealing systems, asphalt reinforcement and maintenance solutions. With nearly 100 years of experience, its own R&D laboratory and a strong focus on innovation and circularity, ESHA is a leader in bitumen recycling and the use of alternative, environmentally friendly raw materials. “In 1929 it started as Smid-Hollander. It was in foreign hands for a long time, but now we are an independent Dutch company again. That gives us new clout and room for innovation.”
With this renewed energy, ESHA wants to contribute to knowledge development in the sector. Therefore, work is underway on the Asphalt Academy, which will share professional knowledge about asphalt and maintenance. “The knowledge about asphalt is slowly disappearing. There are few people with specific training. We are going to do everything we can to change that and make knowledge widely available again through practical training.”
One of the most promising innovations is ESHA's advanced road inspection vehicle. It uses new techniques to accurately image aging bitumen while driving. This allows us to move from reactive to preventive asphalt maintenance. “This doesn't exist in the market yet. We have already proven that it works, and are now collecting reference data. By 2026, we expect to have it fully operational,” Dijkstra said.
Unique and proven approach with life-extending maintenance
ESHA offers a unique and validated approach to life extension maintenance with the Pentack system. The system rejuvenates the asphalt surface, extends the life of pavements by years and is widely applicable.
Pentack is the only one validated by Rijkswaterstaat and is already applied to more than five million square meters of asphalt in the Netherlands. It is now ESHA's fastest growing product in the Netherlands and abroad. The application also ensures a low MKI score. “The system can be used in all kinds of conditions, even at airports, racing circuits and in extreme weather such as in Greenland. The industry often still works with fixed maintenance periods, such as from April 15 to October 15, but that is outdated. It is better to look at current conditions, such as humidity, temperature and precipitation. With sensors in vehicles, we can use that data in real time. If conditions are favorable, then we can work with warranty. If they are not, then we wait a while.”
By using artificial intelligence intelligently, ESHA accelerates innovation and makes processes more efficient. For example, AI has been used in the development of the inspection vehicle and in preparing safety plans, which can now be done in minutes instead of hours. Even within the R&D department, ESHA uses AI to unlock knowledge and develop new applications. “We are increasingly a data-driven organization and see daily how AI helps us work faster, smarter and more effectively.”
In the past six months, ESHA has reestablished itself as an independent Dutch company. ESHA aspires to solid growth with a focus on life-extending maintenance with rejuvenators (LVOv), this is at the heart of that strategy. Thanks to ESHA's long-term cooperation with implementing partners E.I.T.N. and LCW Groningen, knowledge and processing quality are guaranteed. The LVOv approach is proven cost-effective (up to 60% savings compared to replacement), sustainable (significant CO2 reduction) and causes minimal disruption to road users. “Especially now that budgets are under pressure, LVOv offers a solution. It is an innovative way to future-proof infrastructure without unnecessary costs.”
Neem dan rechtstreeks contact op met Esha Infra Solutions.
Contact opnemen
ESHA Infra Solutions has been active in road construction for more than 90 years. From its production site in Hoogkerk-Groningen, ESHA supplies products, mainly bitumen-based, for the construction and maintenance of asphalt pavements to many countries in Europe. ESHA works with various parties in the market to realize the right technical and [...]
Bekijk Bedrijfsprofiel
