Read more about some signature projects and applications in the Civil Engineering and Construction market
In 2022, the tallest residential tower in the Benelux was completed in Rotterdam: the so called "Zalmhaven Tower". This impressive skyscraper, standing 215 meters tall, is a milestone in high-rise construction in the Netherlands and an icon of modern architecture. On top of this residential tower sits a custom-made steel tube supplied by Van Leeuwen.
This structural tube has a diameter of 914 mm and a length of 12.5 m. Thanks to our international supplier network, we were able to deliver this unusual diameter-to-length combination on time. For the pyramid-shaped steel structure of the upper floors, we also supplied the hollow sections, which are essential for the tower’s stability and safety.
The iconic Zalmhaven Tower dominates the Rotterdam skyline. We are proud that a Van Leeuwen steel tube marks its highest point, making it the highest tube application in the entire Benelux.
Watch the stunning video of this building, right in the heart of Rotterdam!
Since the 1950s, Van Leeuwen has contributed significantly to the growth of the horticultural sector in the western part of the Netherlands, also known as "The Glass City." This area of over 2,300 hectares of contiguous greenhouse horticulture is unique in the world.
Our so-called "51 pipe" is a well-known application for these greenhouses. It is a pressure tested welded steel pipe measuring 51 x 2.25 mm, used in virtually every greenhouse in the Netherlands for growing crops. These are often tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers, but our pipes are also found in cutflower and plant greenhouses. We also supply all other pipes, fittings, and flanges necessary for distribution lines from the boiler, as well as accessories such as pumps, valves, and measuring instruments.
The Dutch companies in the horticultural sector, our customers, are internationally renowned for their expertise and innovations. It's therefore no surprise that their greenhouse heating systems and technologies are finding their way to countries like the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Sweden, and France. This sector is investing heavily in new technologies, such as the use of geothermal energy or residual heat from nearby factories. As a result, greenhouses are often energy-neutral or even energy-positive. To meet the ever-increasing global demand for food, horticultural greenhouses are a vital link in the food chain.
For safety on the road, traffic gantries are indispensable. In many countries, they are installed above motorways, equipped with matrix signs to warn motorists in time about traffic disruptions and congestion. Van Leeuwen has extensive experience with the specific requirements and material specifications for the tubes used in these gantries.
The so-called truss gantry is the most common type. It consists of a truss structure made of round steel tubes and columns made of steel hollow sections. The construction of these gantries requires special tube connections that must be 3D cut. For this, we work together with specialized partners.
For a recent project, we supplied the tubes and hollow sections for a widened section of a motorway in the Netherlands, where spans of 53 to 64 meters were required. The columns supporting these extremely long truss girders had to be 15 meters high and should be made from a single hollow section, without any weakening weld. Together with our partner for the 3D cutting work, we delivered all products and services to the full satisfaction of the client.
