RIECKERMANN SUPPLIES FIRST ACOTEC PARTITION WALL TURN-KEY SOLUTION IN CAMBODIA
Acotec partition wall continues to gain momentum in Southeast Asia, with the first plant in Cambodia supplied by Rieckermann
Rieckermann has realized a turn-key solution for precast elements in Cambodia by setting up the first Acotec precast partition wall plant just recently at the end of 2021. Concrete precast is a technology that continues to gain momentum in Southeast Asia owing to its unique set of benefits which support high-quality construction at efficient costs. Typical productions cover reinforced walls, columns and beams, and hollow-core floor elements. This plant, however, produces an innovative product: Acotec partition walls, which save significantly more time and labor costs in comparison to conventional building methods.
Acotec is a lightweight precast partition wall panel. There is no doubt that lightweight characteristics make a huge difference to construction. However, lightweight panels alone are nothing new. Different approaches can be taken to make construction materials lightweight. Rieckermann’s solution not only takes the production line into consideration, but integrates it into the overall ecosystem of the construction industry in Cambodia.
Before production begins, the right materials must be considered. Lightweight solutions often contain hazardous chemicals or other non-typical materials, which makes sourcing for materials that also meet building codes rather difficult. Hence, for this solution, Rieckermann prioritized a normal concrete mix: sand, aggregates, cement, and water. It was beneficial that Rieckermann’s client already had the proper handling equipment and materials at the production facility. This made it possible for hassle-free material integration to take place.
As seen in the video, Rieckermann maintained a simple layout for the production. The heart of the production line is the continuous extrusion process, which is fed by an automatic batching and mixing plant that continuously controls the mix with moisture sensors. Defective panels are recycled directly and fed back into production, minimizing material waste. After pre-curing, the panels are restacked and are ready to be transported to the storage area by forklift. By automating all the key processes, Rieckermann ensures an efficient and continuous high-quality production.
Once the Acotec partition wall panels have made their way to the construction site, they unfold their full potential. Transportation, as well as the handling and lifting of the elements to higher floors, is made easy, since a square meter only weighs 84kg at a thickness of 100mm. The smart dimensions of the panel, with a width of 600mm and a height of 3400mm, need only two workers to install a 7 square meter wall in one hour. That is seven times faster than brick installation and three times faster than block installation. The thickness varies from 68mm to 140mm, which directly converts into more floor space within the same area. Plastering is not needed, because the panels have a smooth surface from the very start of production. The required piping and electrical circuit can be placed into voids within the panels. As a result, Acotec requires less use of wet materials and cutting at the site, resulting in less pollution and a safer workspace.
The investment costs for such innovative solutions are relatively small when compared to solutions such as Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC). This is why Acotec partition walls are particularly attractive for rural areas in which other lightweight solutions are not present due to the high initial investment and transportation costs involved.
Rieckermann has realized a turn-key solution that considers all stages of the value chain, ensuring the sustainable success of their client by introducing Acotec panel which needs only a simple material mix, and enables production to operate more efficiently. By being the first in Cambodia to provide cost-efficient construction solutions like Acotec, Rieckermann is guiding the construction industry in Southeast Asia towards higher-quality housing at more affordable prices. Looking at the whole construction ecosystem and the market situation is crucial in bringing innovative technology to an industrial-scale application with sustainable success. That is why Acotec is already used in the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and most recently, Cambodia.
