Green noise barriers. With very favorable LCA and MKI scores.

While noise barriers on the one hand have a clear function (keeping out noise), they also have to meet other requirements and wishes. For example, local residents want the noise barrier to blend into its surroundings as beautifully as possible and (semi) government agencies look in particular at sustainability, circularity and the environmental impact of the products used. Kokosystems offers a solution for all parties with the Kokowall^® sound barrier.

Very favorable (low) EQI score

Arjan Kick, project manager at Kokosystems BV: "We deliberately chose to have Tauw calculate the LCA and MKI values of our noise barrier. This showed that the Kokowall^® noise barrier has a very favorable LCA and EQI score." According to Kick, this is because they have optimized the life cycle of the products used. "As a result, our noise screen has minimal environmental impact, lasts for more than 50 years, and is recyclable at the end of its useful life for 99%. The low MKI score makes it incredibly interesting for municipalities, among others, to apply in projects."

Green and natural appearance

This was also one of the reasons why the municipality of Woerden opted for the Kokowall^® of Kokosystems chose. "We demolished the original wooden screen on the Middellandbaan in Woerden and replaced it with a Kokowall^® noise screen with a beautiful green character." The sustainable screen, consisting of a double row of recycled plastic pipes, fitted with renewable coconut fiber between which a sound-insulating steel sheet is enclosed, will also be fully planted with ivy. "This creates a green and natural look, ideal for local residents," Kick said. "It is common knowledge that greenery largely determines the quality of the living environment in the neighborhood and it leads to an increase in biodiversity."

Overall

The new sound barrier is 127 meters long and has a height of 210 centimeters. "About 40 centimeters higher than the previous wooden screen," Kick says. Kokosystems also replaced the transparent parts of the screen on the viaduct over a length of 24 meters. "It was quite special to include that viaduct as well," Kick says and continues: "Of course, we also made sure that the differences in height over the entire section, as it runs up to the viaduct, were neatly accommodated. We always make everything in-house and work closely with partners, such as for the transparent screens. As a result, we have a suitable, soundproof solution for every situation. Moreover, we can completely unburden our clients by offering the total picture: from advice to engineering and from demolition of the current screen to placing and planting the new screen."