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The replacement task in Dutch hydraulic engineering requires bank protection solutions that are both technically reliable and sustainable. Wouter Smit, technical advisor at HIP Groen, sees the sector slowly moving in that direction. At the Infra Relatiedagen, the company will demonstrate how low environmental impact, circular materials, and ecological added value form the basis for the new generation of revetments.
“We offer water managers and contractors the opportunity to purchase bank protection with the lowest environmental impact on the market,” says Smit. The MKI score of their revetment has been independently tested in an LCA and is listed in the National Environmental Database. “This gives contractors an advantage in tenders, where sustainability scores are becoming increasingly important. It enables them to meet the requirements for circularity and CO2-neutral procurement.”
The low score is due to conscious material choices. HIP Groen combines recycled HDPE with PEFC-certified pine wood. The HDPE consists entirely of recycled plastic from Dutch waste, which means that no new raw materials are needed, and is produced in the Netherlands. The PEFC spruce wood comes from the Belgian Ardennes. “The wood grows back during the lifetime of the structure. No depletion, little transport, and technically, the combination does exactly what is needed: plastic where wood would rot above and below the waterline, wood where it remains excellent underwater.”
Despite all the sustainability ideals in the sector, price remains a decisive factor, according to Smit. “That's why we offer a solution with the lowest MKI score at a competitive price. This makes sustainable choices accessible.”
HIP Groen started out as a contractor and developed its systems based on years of practical experience. “A good product is one thing, but the right design and the right processing are just as important,” emphasizes Smit. “That's why we advise from preparation to delivery and actively support installers during installation.”
In addition, demand for wildlife exit facilities is growing rapidly: every riverbank project has requirements for wildlife facilities. With its own sawing and production line, HIP Groen supplies these facilities both as standard and customized, making the company the market leader in this field.
HIP Groen will also be showcasing its new nature-inclusive revetment at the Infra Relatiedagen: low in MKI, locally produced, and designed to improve water quality. “Structural protection remains necessary, but we are adding nature where it is often lacking: at the transition from shore to water,” says Smit. Aquatic plants grow directly in the system, fauna can exit without separate facilities, and the vegetation contributes to better water quality: an explicit requirement of the WFD directive.
HIP Groen is actively seeking pilot partners for this concept. “We want to develop this further in practice. Successful pilots, including the lessons learned, play an important role in convincing the sector. The Infra Relatiedagen are ideal for this, so if you are interested, please come and visit us.”
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THE specialist in sustainable bank protection HIP Groen (Hogendoorn Innovative Products) is enthusiastically committed to making banks more sustainable. Our unique shoring system, a clever combination of recycled HDPE plastic and pinewood with a patented design, offers an ecologically sound solution for every bank. With more than 20 years of experience in green [...]
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