The Boortmalt group, part of the Epis-Centre group, belongs to the worldwide top 10 of industrial malt producers, with a total production of 560.000 tons of malt per year. After completion of building construction phase I (1987), II (1991) and III (2002) – with a joint capacity of approx 200.000 tons per year - VK was called upon to provide its know-how for the design and engineering of phase IV.

Malt is produced through controlled processing of barley germination. The capacity of the location in Antwerp will soon reach 310.000 tons and as a result of this become the largest malt plant in Europe. The dimensions given to the new malt plant will allow for the production of 380 tons of malt per batch.

The new malt plant consists of a malt tower (70 metres high and 28,50 metres in diameter), ventilation tower 54 metres in height, a furnace building, a new CHP-central and a barley cleaning building with accompanying silos. Besides this, the existing water purification system will be expanded and new infrastructure placed around the malt plant.

The malt towers, a combination of steel and concrete, is 70 metres high with a diameter of 28,50 metres. Two conditions from the assignment commissioners created an extra challenge. Namely, the towers had to be built without a centrally supportive construction. As second condition, a rack & shelf-free space was required in the germination and drying kiln halls, for the benefit of the assembly of technical equipment. In addition, an open-plan office, a refectory with kitchen, changing rooms, and on the top floor, a panoramic view, are all to be housed in this.

A final challenge came in the form of a particularly tight schedule of execution, set by the client. However, all deadlines were met.