Building materials company Betolar has announced the start of installation of cement-free sewer tubes at a sewer project in Duffel, Belgium.

The project is one of several wastewater sewer schemes that are managed by regional, state-owned company Aquafin.

Produced together with Betolar’s partner Tubobel Group, the sewer tubes are crafted from alkali-activated concrete material using Betolar's Geoprime solution.

As part of a commercial partnership active until 2030, Tubobel has been working with Betolar's experts to produce these low-carbon concrete products.

BESIX, a construction group based in the Benelux countries, is serving as the building contractor for the development.

Aquafin installs approximately 200km of tubes every year in the Flanders region of Belgium.

Betolar CCO Ville Voipio said: “Aquafin is a big customer in its area. As a public actor, the company encourages manufacturers to invest in sustainable innovations. The materials used in building infrastructure have a significant environmental footprint.

“Our solution will help the value chain achieve its environmental goals.”

The partnership between Betolar and Tubobel was reached in February this year. This sewer pipe's installation is the first product under the agreement.

The two companies have together developed sewer tubes using the Geoprime solution, an eco-friendly alternative to cement.

These sewer tubes use industrial side streams for alkali activation, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 78% when compared to traditional concrete.

Geoprime sewer tubes are recyclable and designed for rainwater buffering and transport, thereby meeting the same mechanical requirements as regular concrete sewer tubes.

Tubobel co-CEO Evert Lemmens said: “We spent a lot of time and energy developing this product. We have found a partner in Aquafin, which will help us achieve our environmental goals.

“The development of this project has helped us expand our offering of these innovative and environmentally friendly products.”