30 BESIX Creating the highest value for our stakeholders - Innovation Activity Report 2019 31 Driving innovation DeliverApp: an example of collective and new innovation

Developed by BESIX Infra, DeliverApp consists of digitizing the reception of deliveries to technologies sites. Concretely, by using QR Codes, paper delivery notes are replaced by a fast, simple and efficient digital operation. This speeds up the administrative process, which is beneficial for both the supplier and the site manager. “DeliverApp is a perfect example of an A LEADER IN OPEN INNOVATION innovation that only makes sense if it is widely shared within the industry,” says Peter Bertels. OPEN INNOVATION IS ONE OF THE SIX PILLARS OF THE ‘BESIX FORWARD’ STRATEGY. “WHAT Today, supported by the Association of Belgian IS CALLED ‘INNOVATION’ TODAY ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS FOR TOMORROW. SOLUTIONS Contractors, the solution has already been fully THAT ENABLE US TO CREATE ADDED VALUE FOR OUR CLIENTS. BESIX’S APPROACH IS TO GET adopted by two key suppliers in the construction sector, about 10 suppliers are working on INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW IDEAS AND START-UPS AND THEN TO TRY THEM implementation, and it continues to spread. OUT IN OUR DEPARTMENTS AND ON OUR SITES”, EXPLAINS PATRIK PEYNSAERT, INNOVATION Want to know more? Just scan this QR Code: COORDINATOR.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL IDEAS (see page 58). This , which houses the headquarters of BESIX Nederland, is now considered to be a European Created in 2016, the Unleash program consists of a series reference in the field. In the same spirit, in collaboration with of initiatives focused on open innovation. One of them is an byNubian, Elia, Fluvius and Proximus, BESIX is participating internal innovation competition (see page 33) that gives every in the Enleash program, a pilot project focused on the BESIX employee the opportunity to propose innovative ideas. development of an Internet of Energy. 2019 was also the This has led in recent years to the creation of quality projects, year the group started a collaboration with the Antwerp “OUR GROUP CAN both focused on improving BESIX’s operational performance Management School in their Chair Corporate Innovation. COUNT ON CREATIVE Hackathon: ‘Smart and on the development of new services. For example 3D printing of concrete or the development of moss panels to AND PASSIONATE for Smart Cities’ process fine particles. A NEW CULTURE COLLEAGUES BESIX’s leading role in the field of open “Our Group can count on creative and passionate colleagues “Within BESIX, we want 100% of our entities to use innovative OVER 5 DIFFERENT innovation is increasingly recognized within over 5 different continents. They are the first axis of our solutions on their projects and that each company or CONTINENTS. THEY ARE the sector. For example, from 11 to 13 October department is able to propose new ideas to their customers 2019, at the request of the -Capital innovation strategy. Our own people”, says Thomas THE FIRST AXIS OF OUR Vandenbergh, president of the Innovation Board. “The second and partners”, explains Peter Bertels, Senior Manager Construction Confederation, BESIX co- axis is external. There are also billions talented brains and Creativity & Digital Enabling. Their respective experiences and INNOVATION STRATEGY. organized the ‘Smart Buildings for Smart Cities’ hands outside our group. We also want to partner with them good practices are then shared and gradually disseminated OUR OWN PEOPLE.” Hackathon. internally. to co-create innovative solutions. Hence the concept of ‘open This event brought together around fifty THOMAS VANDENBERGH, innovation’: good ideas can appear anywhere. We want to participants from various sectors of activity, However, BESIX’s objective is not to innovate alone, with a PRESIDENT OF THE support them as much as possible and create a mutually single objective of competitive advantage. On the contrary. INNOVATION BOARD including five BESIX employees. Divided into beneficial relationship.” seven teams, their task was to develop solutions “We want to contribute to the emergence of a state of mind based on the theme of smart cities, and then to turned towards innovation. In the construction sector, this In this spirit, in 2018, BESIX created a start-up accelerator defend them before a jury. It was the “SOLAR is a cultural change in itself. It is fundamental to achieve it (see page 34), open to mature projects from all over the OPT” project that won the first prize in the all together: if the sector is to open up to new technologies, world. BESIX Start-Ups Accelerator today hosts nine start- Hackathon. Its concept is to use the Internet of there must be a general movement and a shared will.” ups, mostly active in robotics, construction 4.0 or artificial Things to measure and monitor the performance intelligence. It provides them with tailor-made support and This is why, in October 2019, BESIX organised a very of solar panels and to ensure that a cleaning opportunities for experimentation on construction sites. first Innovation Fair. 27 exhibitors, linked to the innovation team equipped with a robot can intervene in the event of a problem. BESIX has also set up partnerships with specific research initiatives from all entities of our Group, presented their fields. Since 2018, this is the case of a collaboration with solutions to a large audience of competitors, customers and “As a facilitator, it was exciting to see how vague Proximus, leader in the ICT sector in , to develop partners. “This is our vision of the ‘leader’ concept of open ideas on Friday evening can be turned into solutions in the field of ‘Smart Buildings’. In 2019, BESIX innovation: we are stronger together”, concludes Thomas really concrete projects in just two days, thanks built a first building of this type in Dordrecht, the Vandenbergh. to enthusiastic people with complementary profiles,” says Peter Bertels. 32 BESIX Creating the highest value for our stakeholders - Innovation Activity Report 2019 33

INTERNAL INNOVATION PROJECTS BESIX CLEAN AIR BESIM: BESIX SITE BESIX SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF IN-HOUSE INNOVATIONS. SEVERAL OF THEM INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT HAVE BEEN SELECTED THROUGH INTERNAL INNOVATION CONTESTS, OPEN TO ALL BESIX Clean Air makes air-filtering panels with a moss BEsim standardises BESIX’s site installations and make them BESIX EMPLOYEES. THESE NOTABLY INCLUDE BESIX 3D, BESIX CLEAN AIR AND BESIM. multilayer. The panels are aimed to locally reduce the fine dust more environmentally friendly, more economical and more concentrations and improve the overall air quality. comfortable. BESIX 3D SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE MIXTURES HOW IT WORKS Together with partners Ghent University, Resourcefull and HOW IT WORKS BESIX 3D specialises in concrete printing. Compared to Polluted air is extracted by fans and blown through a natural Witteveen+Bos, BESIX is researching sustainable concrete The objective of BESIM is to relieve the operational teams traditional construction methods, printing concrete in 3D filtering membrane containing different moss species. The mixtures for the 3D printing of breakwater units. during the start-up phase of the works by a quick but guarantees a shorter construction time, a safer working panels are fitted with sensors that collect environmental and careful installation of site facilities offering increased user environment, higher freedom in shape, zero waste and zero performance data. Integrated IoT technology automates THE DECIDUOUS PAVILION comfort. Major attention is also paid to minimising the energy CO emissions. irrigation and ventilation systems. Moss vegetation also 2 consumption and reducing the facilities’ ecological footprint. Deciduous is a 3D printed pavilion sculpture, with concrete absorbs noise, makes cities greener and reduces urban heat elements fully printed by BESIX 3D. The sculpture was A 3D STUDIO island effects. commissioned by International Financial Center (DIFC) DUBAI UPTOWN TOWER (DUT) In April 2019, BESIX 3D opened a state-of-the-art printing and designed by MEAN* ( Architecture Network). In 2019, in cooperation with Enerwhere, BEsim has set a facility in Dubai. Its main equipment is the KUKA robotic arm, UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP Exclusively of sustainable materials, the Pavilion was on world record for the largest solar plant on a construction site. set up in the middle of the production hall to optimise its From 20 August to 26 September 2019, BESIX Clean Air’s display in Dubai’s financial district as part of the DIFC Art A 3,200 m² solar system was installed and produced up to printing capacity. Another specialised device is the concrete panels were tested at the Faculty of Applied Nights, in November 2019. 50% of the construction site’s electricity needs. The site’s mixing pump, connected to a silo for direct and uninterrupted Sciences of the University of Antwerp. The test consisted in facilities were also the largest ever installed by BESIM. supply of 3D mortar. monitoring the rate of fine particles (i.e. PM10 & 2.5) captured by the panels through a scientifically valid methodology. BESIX CLEAN AIR The study revealed an average filtration efficiency of 43.1 EARLIER PROJECTS % for PM10 and 22.8 % for PM2.5. These results are BEsim is now used on multiple construction sites carried beyond expectations and indicate that the concept has a out by BESIX, both in and in the Middle East. At the significant effect on the air quality nearby dense traffic roads Port of Antwerp for example, where BESIX has deepened BESIX 3D in populated areas. 600 metres of quay walling, the entire BEsim installation was up and running in just one day. Equipped with solar panels, PILOT PROJECT ON THE N434 it also proved to be perfectly insulated, both in winter and summer. On 17 July 2019, panels were installed on the future N434 (RijnlandRoute), in the Netherlands. This road infrastructure project is undertaken by the COMOL5 consortium, for the COMTIS ENERGY: Province of South Holland. COMOL5 is an international joint ‘COMFORT AS A SERVICE’ venture consisting of TBI Holdings, DEME and Vinci. In 2019, Vanhout launched ‘Comfort as a Service’ via its SIX CONSTRUCT HQ WITH 3D BESIX Clean Air has installed a 30 meter long moss wall with CONCRETE CLADDING, DUBAI subsidiary ComTIS Energy. The concept was born within 45 m² active surface near a service road. The aim was to the framework of Unleash, BESIX’s internal innovation protect workers from environmental fine dust. In addition, it competition. It consists of providing sustainable heating and served to validate theoretical results and to measure more cooling for residential buildings on a subscription basis. precisely the technical performance of the panels. Though the measurements during the third quarter showed an average A first contract was signed in 2019 with real estate air filtration efficiency of 11 % (PM10) and 18 % (PM2.5), this developer Cores Development for its De Tuilerie project in pilot project showed that extreme hot weather conditions Diest (Belgium). This is a district of the city that will not be require specific attention and that adequate connection to the connected to gas. It is ComTIS Energy that will organise internet is essential for the long-term performance. This will the heating supply for the complex for 15 years, notably by help the BESIX Clean Air team the further improve the system optimally using sustainable energy sources with a low total in 2020. cost of ownership.

Residents will therefore have nothing to worry about except PARTNERS paying their subscription. The subscription consists of a fixed Besides University of Antwerp and COMOL 5, BESIX Clean part (for the repayment of the investment and maintenance) Air has been able to count on many partners during the and a variable part (proportional to the individual energy development of this product, both internal, such as BESIX consumption). ComTIS Energy is responsible for the optimal Environment, and external with decisive assistance coming BESIM organisation and maintenance of the heating system. from Innoviris (Brussels innovation agency), the University of Liège and Achilles Design. 34 BESIX Creating the highest value for our stakeholders - Innovation Activity Report 2019 35

BESIX START-UPS ACCELERATOR

IN 2019, THE BESIX ACCELERATOR SELECTED FIVE NEW START-UPS, BRINGING TO NINE THE NUMBER OF COMPANIES IT HAS SUPPORTED SINCE IT WAS LAUNCHED IN 2018. DURING THE YEAR, CERTAIN OF THESE START-UPS WERE ABLE TO TEST THEIR SERVICES ON GROUP SITES.

A ‘start-up’ designates a young company 3 EXAMPLES OF START-UPS SUPPORTED PEAS & LOVE (BELGIUM) that is developing innovative services with EXPERIMENTATION BY THE BESIX START- Jean-Patrick Scheepers, founder: “We strong growth potential. The role of the IN 2019 UPS ACCELERATOR are creating urban farms that produce BESIX accelerator is to amplify this growth by organic food in unused urban spaces. This providing start-ups with tailor-made support SENSOHIVE: A CONCRETE FLUVES (BELGIUM) helps cities to become greener and more and possibilities to experiment. sustainable, as well as creating social ties.” MATURITY MONITORING SENSOHIVE Thomas Van Hoestenberghe, Managing SOLUTION (DENMARK) The BESIX Start-Ups Accelerator is open to “WE TESTED MATURIX ON Director: “We offer a solution for the How does it work? mature start-ups from around the world that Thomas Juhl, Business Development Manager: intelligent real-time management of marine or SEVERAL SITES, IN PARTICULAR Peas & Love maintains garden plots, are developing services that tie in with the “Our Maturix solution optimises concreting by energy infrastructures.” IN . THE SOLUTION especially on roofs, which it rents from group’s activities. real time monitoring the curing process.” TELLS US THE TEMPERATURE How does it work? individuals. On them it produces organic AND MATURITY OF THE fruits and vegetables. Clients have access to How does it work? Fluves installs sensors that gather data on CONCRETE IN REAL TIME. THIS the farm to harvest their produce, as well as Before pouring, sensors are installed and conditions that affect infrastructures, such as to a cloud platform allowing them to join the connected to wireless transmitters. The OFFERS SIGNIFICANT TIME a lock gate, or underwater and underground Peas & Love community. system then monitors the temperature SAVINGS, ESPECIALLY FOR SOLID environments. The data are converted into and calculates the resistance of the fresh MASS CONCRETING. IT IS ALSO monitoring tables, allowing an overview concrete. The data collected is available in POSSIBLE TO CREATE ALERTS of specific problems as well as predictive SCALED ROBOTICS () real time on a mobile phone. THAT THE TEMPERATURE HAS analysis for optimising the management of Stuart Maggs, CEO: “Our autonomous CAD.42 BEEN EXCEEDED OR THAT THE the infrastructures. mobile robot monitors progress and checks “WE TESTED CAD.42 CAD.42: IMPROVING SITE SAFETY DESIRED RESISTANCE HAS BEEN the quality of work on construction sites” AND PRODUCTIVITY () REACHED.” KEWAZO (GERMANY) FOR MONITORING TWO SCALED ROBOTICS How does it work? Jean-Philippe Panaget, CEO: “By connecting XAVIER FARINA, SENIOR CONCRETE Ekaterina Grib, co-founder: “Our Liftbot is CRANES. THE WAY WE USE The Scaled Robotics robot moves workers and machines, the system optimises ENGINEER, BESIX a robotic, intelligent, inexpensive and safe OUR CRANES IS A MAJOR independently around the site, producing safety and operating performance.” hoist, used for transporting scaffolding parts CONTRIBUTING FACTOR scans with which it compares the actual during assembly” TO OUR SUCCESS. GIVEN How does it work? data to the BIM model, and communicating THEIR HIGH OCCUPANCY any discrepancies to the site manager. This Workers and machines are equipped with How does it work? RATE, IT WAS ESSENTIAL makes it possible to resolve any problems connected devices, linked to the CAD.42 PROPERGATE Travelling along rails attached to the faster and more pro-actively. TO MONITOR THE CRANES’ platform. This permits real-time monitoring of all scaffolding structure, the Liftbot robot OPERATIONS IN ORDER TO movements, and proactive warning of potential automatically transports the scaffolding parts OPTIMALLY ADAPT OUR dangers. Processed, this data also provides an for mounting. In this way Liftbot improves the SMART CAST (FRANCE) WORKING METHOD.” in-depth analysis of the site dynamics. efficiency and safety of scaffolding assembly Augustin Masurel, founder: “We offer FABIAN SINAPI, PROJECT DIRECTOR, process. industrial solutions for floor formwork to “PROPERGATE HAS IMPROVED QUATUOR SITE (BRUSSELS) PROPERGATE: OPTIMIZING improve performance and simplify the DELIVERY MANAGEMENT ON SITE THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN NPLAN (UNITED KINGDOM) installation of networks in buildings” THE VARIOUS PLAYERS, “THE START-UPS WE HOST (POLAND) Dev Amratia, CEO: “We use artificial ENABLING US TO SET UP REAL- OPERATE IN VARIOUS How does it work? Anna Walkowska, co-founder: “We provide intelligence to identify risks linked to the DISCIPLINES: SMART Smart Cast manufactures custom panels, logistics coordinators with intelligent TIME CONNECTIONS WITH project schedule, in order to improve BUILDING, ROBOTICS, DIGITAL used as floor formwork and pre-finished assistance to better manage deliveries.” SUPPLIERS, SUBCONTRACTORS, planning and to foresee the execution of TRANSFORMATION, LOGISTICS ceiling cladding, as well as for providing PROJECT MANAGERS, LOGISTICS construction projects.” How does it work? SUPERVISORS AND QAQC PLATFORMS, ARTIFICIAL reliable support for networks in buildings. These panels are manufactured according to By connecting all players in the logistics chain, MANAGERS. IT HAS REDUCED THE INTELLIGENCE, SAFETY, AND How does it work? the BIM model and delivered pre-numbered. ProperGate optimises efficiency by controlling NUMBER OF UNCOORDINATED 4.0 CONSTRUCTION.” Using artificial intelligence, the nPlan Information on the networks, measurements and coordinating in real time all goods and TRACKING SHEETS AND JÉRÔME CONSTANT, MANAGER OF THE algorithms compare the tasks of a particular and the position of the partitions is printed on materials movements on site. The platform BESIX START-UPS ACCELERATOR project with a large set of data from previous DOCUMENTS, WHILE OFFERING both sides of the panels, thereby facilitating makes it possible to automate requests, to construction projects. On this basis, nPlan THE POSSIBILITY OF SHARED installation by the various trades. plan, to synchronize equipment deliveries and REGISTRATION AND LOGISTICS predicts, plans and programmes the unloading points, to have a precise inventory of development of the site, providing decision COORDINATION.” available materials, and monitor vehicle traffic. support via information on task criticality, LUIS MIGUEL MONTEIRO, PROJECT duration and uncertainties. DIRECTOR ON DUBAI UPTOWN TOWER (DUBAI)