Towards a closed steel loop

Tiggelovend-Kok is a renowned steel construction company that is known nationally and internationally for its reliable products and creative solutions in steel. Commissioned by contractors and industry, approximately 45 employees design, produce and assemble solid steel structures, solid support structures and functional but stylish stairs, railings and balustrades on a daily basis. "Clients can come to us from a small profile to complete steel structures," says director Patrick Teeuwsen. "In doing so, they are assured of optimum quality, safety and craftsmanship. But also of sustainable production, in which the available raw materials are handled as efficiently as possible."

"The steel fabricator's trade used to be very artisanal," Teeuwsen says. "Materials came in at trade length and were cut to size, so the waste rate was relatively high. In recent years, we have made this process more sustainable step by step." 

By being mindful of new techniques, you can produce more responsibly, he emphasizes. "For example, by cutting instead of cutting, we can use our basic materials much more efficiently. Moreover, residual pieces are carefully registered, for use in other projects. The steel waste that remains is of such a quality that it can be recycled and remelted into new input material by the rolling mills. The result is a closed steel cycle, in which almost no material (is) lost."

The possibilities of donor material

In order to be of lasting significance even at the end of the use or service life of steel structures, Tiggelovend-Kok is also investigating the possibilities of donor steel. 

"We have since demonstrated in several projects that you can create very beautiful new uses with quality old materials and minimal energy consumption," Teeuwsen says. "For example, in the past we manufactured an art object in Essen, Germany, for the Rotterdam design agency OOZE, whose profiles we recently reused. In consultation with the design agency and commissioned by the Municipality of Oude IJsselstreek, we came up with a wonderful new use for the materials: an eye-catching staircase with pavilion that offers a great view of the Engbergen nature reserve and the Oude IJssel. At our factory in Etten, all the donor steel was processed into a new, sturdy and colorful construction for this Gendringen watchtower."

100% emission-free assembly

A second project example is a station in the province of Utrecht, where Tiggelovend-Kok carefully dismantled the existing fencing. "In our factory we carried out repairs where necessary, after which the fencing was re-preserved for reassembly," Teeuwsen said. "Thanks to initiatives such as these, optimal quality and safety are ensured in projects, without constantly tapping new raw materials. A great initiative in this context is also our wooden stair treads, where we combine the appearance of solid wood with a filling of residual materials. But also the purchase of an electric crane, allowing us to assemble 100% emission-free. Thus, we are constantly looking for optimizations."