A look behind the scenes at Escofet 1886
Water, aggregates and cement. With this basic recie, we at Escofet manufacture the products, pushing the technological performance of concrete to its limits. The various elements in our street furniture range are produced, among others, in different formulations: self-compacting in-situ concrete, recycled cast concrete and Slimconcrete® (UHPC).
We use high-quality materials such as concrete, recycled aggregates and tropical hardwood to manufacture our designer street furniture. Why this choice? Because these materials are not only sustainable, but also offer a range of benefits for use in public and public spaces.
Cast concrete with natural stone aggregates
Traditional high-quality concrete with a self-compacting consistency. This historic base material has been analysed and innovated by Escofet to produce new formulations, colours and textures.
Concrete is by nature a durable material composed of a selection of minerals, chemical additives without contaminants and fully compatible with efficient recycling.
The high strength achieved with proper dosage and curing of concrete makes it an ideal material for the production of urban elements. Depending on the design of the element, internal reinforcement can be provided.
After the production of the design street furniture element, there are two possible finishes that follow after breakfast of this element.
Acidified finish with hydrofuge
The acidified or etched finish provides a surface very similar to natural material such as sandstone. The result is a sand-like textured surface in varying degrees of roughness.
After the element is poured into the mould, a curing period follows. After the element has cured sufficiently, it is removed from the mould and can continue its further curing and then small air bubbles and loose granules are manually filled and touched up.
The next step in the production process is the finishing of the element, in this case involving acidification or etching. The element is immersed one or more times in an acid bath to obtain the desired texture. Etching creates a "pre-weathered" surface and the pattern details remain consistent for a very long time.
As a final step in the production process, each element receives another treatment with a hydrofuge solution to protect the element from rainwater absorption and dirt. Admittedly, this is a temporary solution as the element loses its hydrofuge under the influence of UV radiation and intensive cleaning (at high pressure).
Polished finish with hydrofuge
Polished finishes on flat exterior surfaces of concrete products are polished by machine after a double-grinding-polishing process, resulting in a clear, non-porous finish resembling the bright texture of granite or marble.This finish is done after the element is stripped and cured. Again, the element is touched-up to fill all air bubbles and gaps caused by loose granules and further touch-up where necessary. Next, the element is polished. The result ensures that the granules in the concrete composition are more visible.
And again, the final step in the production process is treatment with a hydrofuge solution to protect the element from rainwater absorption and dirt. As with etching, this hydrofuge is a temporary solution as the element loses its hydrofuge under the influence of UV radiation and intensive cleaning (at high pressure).
Slim Concrete (UHPC)
WMet de naam Slimconcrete heeft Escofet een basismateriaal ontwikkeld voor verschillende elementen van straatmeubilair. Slimconcrete staat voor elementen in Ultra Hoog Performantie Beton (ook wel gekend onder de benaming UHPC).Slimconcrete is een giet beton met glasvezel verrijkt om het materiaal niet alleen te verstevigen maar vooral om dunnere elementen te realiseren die niet moeten inboeten aan stevigheid of weerstand. Op vlak van design en ontwerp geeft dit een fijnere en elegantere uitstraling met een gereduceerd gewicht waardoor het nog ruimer toepasbaar is in het openbaar en semi-openbaar domein.