Bekaert Inaugurates State-of-the-Art India Concrete Expertise Centre
Bekaert, a global leader in steel wire technologies, has officially opened its Concrete Expertise Centre at its Lonand plant in India. This innovative facility is designed to accelerate advancements in fiber reinforced concrete applications, a key technology poised to revolutionize the construction industry. The inauguration ceremony, held on March 5, 2025, was attended by HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium, who is currently leading the Belgian Economic Mission to India, alongside senior members of the Bekaert Group Executive.
The new expertise center represents Bekaert’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the global construction sector. With state-of-the-art facilities, the center is the first in the world dedicated to researching and testing the use of steel fibers to reinforce spray concrete. This revolutionary approach is expected to address several challenges in the construction industry, such as improving durability, enhancing performance, and reducing environmental impact.
A Groundbreaking Facility for Advanced Concrete Solutions
Located in the heart of India’s growing industrial sector, the Concrete Expertise Centre is equipped with the latest technology to test and optimize fiber reinforced concrete. The center’s primary focus is to explore the use of steel fibers in spray concrete, a highly versatile material that is increasingly being used in demanding infrastructure projects, such as tunnels, bridges, and roadworks.
Spray concrete, also known as shotcrete, is a method of applying concrete with a spraying technique, which allows for higher strength and flexibility in difficult-to-access areas. Bekaert’s research aims to refine and enhance the performance of spray concrete by using steel fibers, which can improve crack resistance, impact resistance, and overall durability.
This move is in line with the growing demand for high-performance construction materials that are both sustainable and cost-effective. By using fiber reinforced concrete (FRC), Bekaert is helping to reduce the environmental footprint of construction projects, as FRC requires fewer resources and is more durable, thus reducing the need for repairs and maintenance over time.
HRH Princess Astrid’s Support for the Initiative
The inauguration ceremony was marked by the presence of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium, who officially opened the Concrete Expertise Centre. Princess Astrid expressed her admiration for the Bekaert Group and its focus on innovation and sustainability in the construction sector. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between Belgium and India, particularly in the field of technology and construction.
During her speech, Princess Astrid noted, “The collaboration between Belgium and India is growing stronger every day, and Bekaert’s investment in India is a perfect example of how we can work together to drive innovation and sustainability in industries such as construction. This expertise center will not only benefit India but will have a global impact, offering advanced solutions to the construction challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Her remarks highlight the significance of the opening, not just for the Bekaert Group, but for the Belgian economic mission, which is aimed at fostering deeper economic and technological cooperation between Belgium and India.
Bekaert’s Vision for Sustainable Construction
Eric Peeters, the Divisional CEO of Sustainable Construction at Bekaert, emphasized that the Concrete Expertise Centre represents a milestone in the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable construction practices. He commented on the facility’s strategic importance, stating:
“This concrete lab is a significant leap forward in our journey to deliver sustainable and high-performance solutions to the construction industry. The expertise center will serve as a hub for research and innovation, where we will collaborate with industry leaders and customers to develop solutions that address the critical challenges of today’s construction sector, including durability, sustainability, and cost efficiency.”
Peeters also highlighted the global impact of the expertise center, stating that the research carried out here will influence construction practices worldwide. The Lonand center will be central to Bekaert’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of FRC and other advanced materials in the industry.
Benefits of Fiber Reinforced Concrete
The use of fiber reinforced concrete has several distinct advantages over traditional concrete. The incorporation of steel fibers into concrete significantly improves its mechanical properties, offering enhanced crack resistance, impact resistance, and flexural strength. These properties make FRC ideal for applications where high durability and resilience are required, such as in tunnels, bridges, and industrial flooring.
FRC’s benefits include:
• Improved durability: Increased resistance to cracking, corrosion, and fatigue.
• Reduced environmental impact: Fewer resources are needed for repairs and maintenance, leading to a lower carbon footprint.
• Cost-effectiveness: The reduced need for maintenance and repairs over the lifecycle of the structure can result in significant cost savings.
• Flexibility: FRC can be applied to complex and hard-to-reach areas, making it ideal for demanding construction projects.
The research conducted at the Concrete Expertise Centre will focus on optimizing spray concrete with steel fibers, making it even more effective for a wide range of construction applications.
Bekaert’s Commitment to Innovation and Global Expansion
Bekaert’s decision to establish the Concrete Expertise Centre in India is a clear demonstration of its long-term strategy to expand globally and innovate in the construction sector. The company has been actively involved in driving advancements in fiber technologies for many years and has a strong track record of delivering sustainable solutions.
With its global network, Bekaert is poised to take the Concrete Expertise Centre beyond India’s borders, ensuring that its innovations reach construction markets worldwide. The company’s focus on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration will continue to drive its success in the years to come.
Key Takeaways:
• Bekaert inaugurates its Concrete Expertise Centre in Lonand, India, marking a key step toward fiber reinforced concrete innovation.
• The center is the first in the world to test the use of steel fibers for spray concrete, positioning it as a global leader in construction technology.
• HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium officially opened the center, highlighting the importance of Belgium-India collaboration in construction innovation.
• Eric Peeters, Divisional CEO at Bekaert, emphasized the facility’s role in accelerating sustainable solutions and high-performance concrete applications.
• The Concrete Expertise Centre will contribute to the development of more durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly construction materials, benefiting both India and the global construction industry.
• Fiber reinforced concrete improves strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness, offering superior performance over traditional concrete, making it ideal for challenging construction projects.
