The Boortmalt group, part of the Epis-Centre group, belongs worldwide to the top 10 of industrial malt producers, and is the European number 4, with a total production of 560.000 tons of malt per year. Malt is produced by controlling the germinating process of the barley. The capacity of the Antwerp branch will soon reach 310.000 tons, and as such become the largest maltery in Europe. The new maltery is dimensioned for the production of 380 tons of malt per batch

From the very start, VK was responsable for the engineerign of the successful Boortmalt-maltery. After phase I (1987), II (1991) and III (2002) - with a total capacity of 200.000 tons/year - VK was asked to use its knowhow for the concept and engineering of phase IV. The new maltery consists of a malting tower, a ventilation tower, a heating building, a new cogeneration plant and a barley cleaning building with silo's. Also, the existing water purification installation was extended and new infrastructure was constructed around the new maltery.

Two of the client's conditions gave an added challenge. The malt tower had to be built without a central supporting structure. The second condition demanded for a space without scaffolding in the germinate and kiln rooms, to allow for the installation of technical equipment.

A last challenge was put forward in the very tight planning for execution, also proposed by the client. Nevertheless, all deadlines were met by VK.