Innovative Substitutes for Steel and Aluminum in Formwork

Intro

Doka has set an ambitious goal to achieve Net Zero by 2040. As a leader in the formwork and scaffolding industry, Doka is addressing one of the most significant sources of emissions: the procurement and use of materials, especially steel and aluminum which are major contributors due to their energy-intensive production processes. Each year, Doka processes approximately 150,000 tons of these metals, manufacturing over 1 million floor props and more than 180,000 framed formwork panels.

The challenge lies in finding viable substitutes for steel and aluminum that have the potential to meet the rigorous static requirements essential for formwork safety and integrity. This necessitates innovation in material science and construction methods.

To turn this vision into reality, Doka is actively seeking partners who are at the forefront of sustainable building & material solutions.

Aimed for solution

What sustainable materials or technologies are available that could potentially replace steel and aluminum in formwork?

To guide this exploration, Doka has identified several key product areas where innovative materials could have a transformative impact and replace the mainly used steel or aluminum:

• Wall Formwork: We are seeking materials that can provide the necessary strength and durability for wall formwork systems, such as the Framax Xlife Plus.
• Floor Formwork: Alternatives for products like DokaXdek are needed to offer sustainable, lightweight, and durable solutions for creating floor-slabs.
• Floor Props: Innovative materials are needed for floor props to ensure they meet the high load-bearing requirements essential for safety in construction

The areas are not exclusive but are of major importance to reach the 2040 sustainability goal. A substitute material with lower static properties will be assessed on the basis of the load-bearing capacities.

Via the tab “Submission” you can find specific criteria relevant for alternative materials in the mentioned product areas. Via the tab “Knowledge Base” you have access to relevant background information regarding the product lines and technical details.