AVG
CONCRETE, CONSTRUCTION AND CREATIVE CIRCULARITY
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AVG
I PROFILE
Established in 1920 by the current owner’s great-grandfather, AVG’s experience in construction and infrastructure has evolved gradually over the years. Now, with a head for sustainability and a commitment to his customers, Director and owner Ramon Janssen is leading the company in a new direction. During an exclusive interview with Inside Sustainability, (appointed) General Director and CEO Hans Jaspers and Head of Logistics Nick Derks explained this new strategy. Report written by Imogen Ward. 130 Inside sustainability
D
riven by a customer-oriented
emerged. We are part of a much larger
vision, Director and Owner Ramon
ecosystem of companies who are utilising
Janssen is leading AVG towards
those resources. However, we are also
a more sustainable way of thinking. “As part of Mr Janssen’s vision for the company, we are focused on sustain-
conscious of the environmental impact these can have and appreciate that sustainability is the way forward.”
ability,” (appointed) General Director and CEO Hans Jaspers explained. “We
Sustainability in society
believe the company will continue to
Being perfectly situated to bolster
grow over the coming years, and more
the sectors in both Germany and the
sustainable supply chain solutions will
Netherlands, AVG has noticed advance-
be an increasing part of the business.”
ments in these countries’ sustainable
A family-owned business, AVG has been
commitments. Both on a similar trajec-
in operation for more than 100 years. The
tory, the countries have made crucial
company has been making waves in the
Net Zero commitments: The Netherlands
construction and infrastructure sectors,
is predicting carbon neutrality by 2050,
with expertise in a diverse range of services
with Germany advancing that by five years.
and products, including building and
In order to meet these commitments,
recycling materials, construction, trans-
the company believes more needs to be
portation, and explosives detection.
done, and with first-hand experience
According to the company, this diversity is
within the infrastructure sector, AVG
a strategic choice. “Having so many capa-
believes this is a good place to start.
bilities under the AVG name is deliberate,”
“The sectors we operate within need to
Mr Jaspers explained. “The region from
take big steps to become more sustainable,”
which AVG originates has traditionally
Mr Jaspers explained. “When implementing
a strong position in commodities. From
concrete and cement, companies would
that, specialised companies like AVG
do well to reduce their use of primary
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AVG
I PROFILE
raw materials, even using materials with
with the new EU legislation, we are working
a lower carbon impact would be an
hard to create a future that has a focus
effective change.”
on sustainability.”
AVG currently operates in four main
“Naturally, it has become part of the job,”
sectors: building and recycling materials
Head of Logistics Nick Derks added. “It is
(for example, concrete production),
not a weight on our shoulders, but a fully
construction, transportation, and explo-
integrated way of thinking.”
sives detection. All of which are unified by one clear shortfall: the lack of reuse.
Sustainable investments
Setting the perfect example, AVG is
A number of crucial environmental initia-
already working on progressing its reuse
tives are currently underway at AVG. These
and recycling rates; but what can it do to
range from major investments to circular
help further promote these improvements?
development. One such example, co-run
In line with Mr Janssen’s customer-cen-
by AVG, has enabled the partner company
tric approach, the company believes
to generate its own energy. Located in
that creating conditions and providing
Germany, this project is 92% efficient,
solutions for customers will encourage
using non-recyclable wood to generate
a more sustainable approach.
sustainable energy.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Janssen,
“We deliver the materials, prepare it
Mr Jaspers said: “This is a company grown
for processing and have been doing this
by entrepreneurs. The company’s vision
successfully for the past seven years,”
for improved sustainability is in hands of
Mr Derks said.
Mr Janssen, and we are doing more and
“This project has enabled our partner
more to make that vision a reality. In line
to step away from burning coal,” Mr Jaspers
132 Inside sustainability
added. “It was set up to run in two stages.
explained. “However, it worked. Now, we
The project started in 2016. We first went
are further investing, to have a total of 11
through a test and pilot phase and in
fully-electric concrete mixing trailers. We
2021, phase one was completed and
also have hybrid trucks too. These aren’t
fully operational. By 2024, phase two will
trailered vehicles, but fixed lorries, and
be completed and operational with even
they can be powered by either electric
more ovens and silos. This shows that this
or diesel.”
is a long-term investment/project, with a vision for the future.”
Eager to take the next step, AVG is also working in a partnership with the
AVG has also been developing new
HZ University of Applied Sciences from
vehicles that could have a further impact
Vlissingen, as well as a trailer engineering
on the sector as whole. The company is
company, to develop a hybrid Walking-
proud to be the first in the world to have
Floor trailer.
a fleet fully comprised of 100% electric trailers for concrete mixing. “That was a big step, a big investment and a huge risk for us,” Mr Derks
“We are actively developing this fullyelectric trailer,” Mr Derks said. “It will have a three-axle base and be powered by an electric engine, mounted on the
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AVG
I PROFILE
Ramon Janssen, Director and owner
middle axle, which actively generates energy, allowing it to push itself forward. This means the truck’s motor doesn’t have to work as hard. The project is currently in its prototype phase, and we expect the final product to be ready during Q4 Hans Jaspers, (appointed) General Director and CEO
of this year.” AVG has also recently expanded its truck fleet, purchasing 18 new highly efficient vehicles. This is part of a major long-term investment, which will take up to ten years to complete. Once accomplished, this investment will see the company’s entire fleet replaced with sustainable alternatives, such as hydrogen or electric powered trucks, HVO diesel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), or hybrid trucks.
Sustainable circularity As part of its sustainable endeavours, AVG is improving the circularity of its Nick Derks, Head of Logistics
production processes too, particularly within the construction sector. The
134 Inside sustainability
company is on a mission to provide
Within the next year, the company antici-
a substitute for primary raw materials by
pates a significant increase in the use of
creating concrete building bricks, which
these blocks. Furthering its circularity, AVG
are stacked according to the well-known
has found another unique way of reducing
‘Lego® system’. This is achieved via a three-
waste. “Limestone is a by-product of our
step processing method: the company
customers’ production processes,” Mr
receives large amounts of concrete
Jaspers said. “They cannot do anything
rubble, processes that into granulate
with it, but we can. We transport it in our
and then turns that material into new
own trucks, grind it down and use it as a
concrete building blocks.
substitute for cement, so we can reduce
“The demand for this product is increasing, because the industry is witnessing a
the amount of cement in our concrete.” All the divisions of AVG work in
material shortage,” Mr Jaspers explained.
harmony together, creating a complete
“As we create more of these blocks, we
and comprehensive service for each
can make them greener and greener,
and every customer.
because the percentage of recycled
“AVG is a family-owned business, and to
material within them starts to increase.”
be able to work at a company that main-
“If we ever get old or damaged blocks
tains those values is very nice,” Mr Jaspers
back, we just break them apart and use
concluded. “It is also a privilege to be a part
them to make new ones, so we have a
of Mr Janssen’s vision, as he leads the
circular flow of these raw materials.,”
company towards a balanced future of
Mr Derks added.
infrastructure and sustainability.”
n
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