Construction firms in Twente join forces for the ‘Twents Dak’ project

The collaboration brings together various companies from the Twente construction sector, including De Groot Vroomshoop, Dura Vermeer, Haafkes, Noviton and Hemink. Together, they are committed to developing a scalable prefabricated roof concept that addresses the construction challenges of tomorrow. Through a programme run by the National Knowledge Institute for Education, Alfred Evers is contributing to the ‘Twents Dak’ as a practice-oriented research and learning environment, in which circular solutions are explored, designed and tested in collaboration with companies.

The Twents Dak originated from the ‘Circular Value Chains’ project, in which construction and agricultural stakeholders engaged in dialogue about new regional opportunities. What began as an idea during an innovation dinner is now developing into a concrete collaboration between several construction companies in Twente.

A response to a growing construction challenge
The initiative ties in with the major construction and renovation challenge facing Twente. In the coming years, tens of thousands of homes will need to be built and renovated. At the same time, traditional building materials are becoming scarcer, more expensive and less reliably available. Sustainability is also playing an increasingly important role in tenders and construction projects.

The participating companies see a joint prefabricated roof concept as an opportunity to create scale and volume for the use of bio-based materials. Working with a standardised roof concept for project-based construction creates a larger and more predictable demand for raw materials and building products. This makes it possible to scale up production, accelerate innovation and offer prospects to farmers who grow and supply bio-based raw materials. At the same time, prefabricated construction contributes to a more efficient and sustainable construction sector.

“Within the Twents Dak initiative, we bring together knowledge, materials, production capacity and innovative strength. By developing, testing and implementing solutions jointly, we can move much more quickly from ambition to a validated and scalable circular product. With the Twents Dak, we are demonstrating that circularity does not begin with policy, but with collaboration. By bringing the entire supply chain together around one table, we can start building tomorrow’s circular standard today.” Wim Sturris – de Groot Vroomshoop

Collaboration between the construction and agricultural sectors
‘Het Twents Dak’ brings the construction and agricultural sectors together in a new regional value chain. Using regional bio-based raw materials in construction products creates new opportunities for both the construction sector and farmers who grow fibre crops for use in building materials. In this way, the collaboration contributes to new revenue models, greater control over raw materials and a stronger regional economy.

“Het Twents Dak is not only a product innovation, but also a means of targeted regional collaboration, promoting sustainability in construction and offering prospects for the agricultural sector. Through this initiative, we are bringing parties together to work on forward-looking solutions for the construction industry.” Hans Hilbrands – Stichting Pioneering

Stronger regional value chains
The Twents Dak demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can help address current challenges such as raw material scarcity, sustainability and the housing challenge. By working together on innovative and scalable solutions, we not only create a more sustainable building product, but also strengthen the region’s economic prospects.

Twente Board supports the development of strong regional value chains and regards the Twents Dak as a compelling example of how collaboration between businesses, knowledge institutions and social partners can lead to innovation, competitiveness and future-proof economic development.