BESIX and Vanhout start works on new nuclear waste facility in Dessel (BE)

The presence of Prime Minister Bart De Wever at the ceremony underlines the importance of the plant for the safe and sustainable management of Belgium's nuclear waste.

During the ceremony, a time capsule was symbolically encased in a concrete chest at the construction site, leaving a message of forward-thinking and responsibility for future generations by all parties involved.

The surface repository ensures that radioactive waste is safely isolated and no longer poses a danger to humans and the environment, now and in the distant future. This first part of the installation consists of twenty concrete modules - each 25 by 27 metres and 11 metres high-with walls as much as 80 centimetres thick. A fully sealed structure without any chance of leakage or cracking is essential. This requires specific expertise from JV NucleusSafe, including in the application of special composite concrete and innovative formwork techniques. Moreover, the design requires the thick walls to be poured in a single pour.

The modules rest on a raised base: a 60-centimetre layer of gravel, topped by two metres of sand-cement mixture. This always keeps the modules above the water table and protects them from rising damp. During operation, the modules will be covered with a steel roof, which will later be replaced by a permanent cover. Construction of these first 20 modules will take about 5 years, the filling of these modules with nuclear waste will take about 20 years.

JV NucleusSafe combines the strengths of four leading contractors: BESIX, Vanhout, STADSBADER CONTRACTORS and Deckx. This unique collaboration will make the construction of the surface disposal facility a showcase of local anchoring, technical knowledge and shared commitment to safe and sustainable engineering.

"Following the successful handover of the spent fuel repositories at Doel and Tihange in Belgium and the foundations for the PALLAS radioisotope reactor for medical applications at Petten in the Netherlands, we are proud to once again put our shoulders to the wheel in the development of essential nuclear infrastructure.

We would like to sincerely thank our customer for placing their trust in us to deliver this nuclear waste facility. The project fits perfectly with the proven expertise of BESIX and subsidiary Vanhout to manage and build complex and high-performance industrial infrastructure."

JV NucleusSafe places special importance on local embedding. Two of the four partners, Vanhout and Deckx, are established names from the region, so the project is being built with and for people from the region. This local anchoring ensures close community involvement and optimal use of regional expertise.

Vanhout and Stadsbader previously proved their strength in collaboration during the construction of the caisson plant for ONDRAF/NIRAS in 2006. With this new assignment, both parties continue their long-standing tradition of professionalism and reliability.

BESIX is a leading Belgian group, based in Brussels and active in 25 countries and 5 continents, in the construction, real estate development and concessions sectors. BESIX Group has been active since 1909 and its iconic realisations include the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest tower in the world, buildings of the European Parliament in Brussels and the Grand Egyptian Museum, on the plateau of the pyramids of Giza. The Group's engineering division enables BESIX to carry out complex and unique projects, especially in terms of technical and environmental aspects

Vanhout nv grew into a renowned and diversified construction group and has been in business since 1928. The Kempen construction company is active in Flanders and Brussels in a wide range of construction activities: healthcare projects, office buildings, residential projects, swimming pools and industrial production units.

Synergies between Group entities enable us to create customer value that transcends building. Where appropriate and drawing on our Public Private Collaboration experience, we can also play an active role in the financing, operation and maintenance of the projects.

Vanhout distinguishes itself in the sector through an in-house engineering department and the Vadutec consultancy firm. By optimising the design and tailoring execution accordingly, we do 'value engineering': we minimise risks and failure costs and optimise costs and execution time for the customer. Bringing challenging projects to fruition is in our DNA. It typifies us to show creativity and flexibility even in difficult circumstances for the success of the project. In doing so, we always observe the highest safety standards, a top priority for Vanhout.

​Stadsbader Group is a leading Class 8 contractor and multidisciplinary construction group with expertise in infrastructure, construction, engineering and civil works. More than 2,000 employees work daily on some 250 sites in Belgium and neighbouring countries. Thanks to strong vertical integration, centrally coordinated total projects are realised with a focus on effectiveness, sustainability and flexibility. With an impressive portfolio and a solid reputation, Stadsbader Group is building the environment of the future every day.

Copyright all pictures: Kristien Mertens Fotografie