Project ONE
With Project ONE in Antwerp, Belgium, INEOS Olefins Belgium is setting a new standard in the petrochemical sector. This advanced ethane cracker will produce 1,450,000 tonnes of ethylene annually. Thanks to innovative technologies, CO₂ emissions will be less than half those of the best European ethane cracker, making it one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly plants in Europe.
Besides the ethane cracker itself, Project ONE's site consists of infrastructure and buildings reminiscent of a small town: paved roads, utilities and structures such as offices and workshops. These works form the backbone of the cracker's industrial facility.
Construction of the plant is set to be completed by the end of 2026.
Two crucial buildings by Vanhout
Vanhout is responsible for the GRID Intake Station (GIS) and the Central Control Building (CCB). Both precast concrete structures, each three storeys high, are designed to withstand extreme conditions.
- The GRID Intake Station (GIS): This building forms the heart of Project ONE's energy supply. Two 380,000-volt high-voltage cables enter here, after which transformers convert the electricity to lower voltages for use in various factory units.
- The Central Control Building (CCB): This building houses the central control room for the plant, along with server rooms and office facilities. The control room is designed for maximum efficiency, with ergonomic workstations and robust safety features. Thanks to an autonomous design, the CCB remains operational even during emergencies.
All foundation piles by Franki Foundations
Franki Foundations realised the 'Project Wide Agreement' (i.e. foundation piles for the entire project) in temporary partnership with De Waal Solid Foundations. Together with contractors WOOD and Technicas Reunidas, they drilled 20,851 foundation piles using three different techniques: soil displacement screw piling, CFA piles and Kelly piles, with lengths ranging between 10 m and 34 m. During the peak period, they worked with 14 foundation machines at the site at the same time. For the ethane cracker itself, 609 CFA piles with a diameter of 1,000 mm were realised.
Another major work for Franki Foundations was the 'Water Retention' (i.e. catch basin for rainwater and firewater). Here, Franki Foundations took care of the design, engineering and execution of diaphragm walls, vertical tie rods and piles. Thanks to technical excellence, such as the use of underwater concrete, the basin was successfully realised.
Civil works: foundation for success
Vanhout, in temporary partnership with Mourik, realised extensive civil works on the foundations such as concrete works, precast wells and underground infrastructure. The project includes:
- more than 22,000 m³ of reinforced concrete and 2,300 tonnes of reinforcement steel;
- 5,250 metres of HDPE pipes, with diameters of up to 1,200 mm, for complex underground infrastructure;
- 250 prefabricated pits, some weighing up to 75 tonnes;
- 37 kilometres of earthing cables, essential for safe and reliable installation.
