About Us

Aircrete Europe | Leading AAC Production Technology

Aircrete Office 1

Our HQ Office in Oldenzaal

Who we are

With decades of experience and sales in over 100 different AAC plants in 50 countries on 6 different continents, Aircrete Europe is the recognized global leading developer and manufacturer of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) machinery and technology for the production of AAC panels and blocks.

We design and deliver the most innovative turn-key AAC plants and cutting-edge plant technology around the world. Being the long-term, exclusive project partner for our customers, we guide you through all the steps of planning, building and operating your AAC factory. We are a full technology partner, not just a machine supplier, resulting in maximum value creation for our customers. Together we build your success!

Our corporate headquarters, operations and the manufacturing sites are located in Oldenzaal (the Netherlands) with sales representatives in the Americas, Middle East and Southeast Asia.

WHERE WE COME FROM

Stork Building In Hengelo
Mr Willen Van Boggelen

Mr. Willem Van Boggelen

Aircrete Europe was founded in 2002 by Eng. Mr. Willem van Boggelen, who started in the industry almost 50 years ago as a with a solid technical background including a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Fluid Mechanics. Anticipating the shift towards panels, away from blocks, Mr. Van Boggelen saw the potential to bring back and strongly innovate the AAC flat-cake technology, to serve the “abandoned” Durox, Siporex and Hebel plants and further grow AAC panel applications.

Today, Aircrete Europe is the only global vertically integrated company with decades of tradition and expertise in developing AAC production technology and building applications for panels as well as blocks. Based on flat-cake technology and supported by vertically-integrated approach resulting from its involvement in own plants, Aircrete Europe has positioned itself as the most experienced production technology player for panels in the world, with strong operational know-how and capabilities.

Although the founding father of Aircrete, Mr. Willem van Boggelen passed away on 12 May 2021, Mr. Willem van Boggelen is very well-respected within the global AAC industry. He is considered a leader and an expert in the field of AAC and a visionary for panel technology and panel-based building solutions. His status is confirmed by many publications, consulting evaluations and speeches at international technical conferences on concrete and AAC production technology (see in downloads).

HISTORY OF AIRCRETE

1924
Axel Eriksson “discovers” and patents AAC
Durox Logo
1932
Founding of Durox by Carlsro Kalkbruk
Hebel Logo
1943
Founding of Hebel by Jozef Hebel
Durox Logo
1966
Readymix Group acquires Durox Gasbeton
1987
Klebaver & STORK become the “plant builder” for Durox Gasbeton
Ytong Logo
1992
Readymix Group rebrands Ytong & Durox into Ytong
2002
Founding of Aircrete Europe by W. van Boggelen together with Klebaver Engineering
Xella Logo
2003
Haniel Bau consolidates its activities under the Xella brand
Xella Logo
2008
Xella is sold to PAI Partners & Goldman Sachs
Today
Aircrete Europe is the leading panel technology player with a unique vertically integrated position of own plant investments and services
Ytong Logo
1929
Founding of Yxhult (later Ytong) by Karl August Carlen
Siporex Logo
1934
Founding of Siporit (later Siporex)
Durox Logo
1953
(Loevestein family) acquires Durox
Ytong Logo
1984
Plena Group (Mr. Sjogorg) acquires Ytong
Ytong Logo
1990
Readymix Group acquires Ytong from Plena Group
Hebel Logo
1999
Fels-Kalk Werke acquires Hebel
Ytong Logo
2001 / 2002
Haniel Bau acquires Ytong from RMC and also Fels-Kalk & Hebel
2006
Van Boggelen family takes full ownership of Aircrete, further innovating the Durox panel technology
2014-2018
Strong development phase of Aircrete Europe, focusing on a unique vertical integration strategy
Our Core Values Background

OUR CORE VALUES

OUR MISSION:

“PROVIDING GREENER, FASTER AND BETTER BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE WORLD OF TOMORROW.”

Aircrete seeks to continuously exceed its customers’ expectations by providing the best-in-class customized building systems and technology guidance for the global AAC industry. We support our customers by closely following the latest construction trends in the global markets.

Through continuous investment in innovation and project technology and long-term partnerships with international architects, building authorities and civil engineers we optimize the AAC production process and product quality, enabling our customers to enjoy the competitive advantages of cutting-edge technology and high-quality building solutions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CAREER

Join our international team!

Aircrete Europe is always searching for talented candidates to join our international team.

With most positions based in Oldenzaal near Enschede, in the Netherlands, we have a dynamic and an international team with 18 nationalities where English is the main working language.

Please send us your resume/CV as well as your motivation letter to become a part of our dynamic team.

E-mail: recruitment@aircrete.com

Current vacancies at Aircrete Europe:

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Ralf Beier

Managing Director

Ralf Beier is Partner and Managing Director of Aircrete Europe since 2018. After completing his Matric in South Africa he moved to Germany where he started his career in the building materials technology business. Prior to joining Aircrete he was the CEO of the Hess Group and then also of the TopWerk Group. He holds a degree in business administration from the VWA Osnabrück, Germany.
Ralf has extensive international business experience and has also been a director of companies in China, India, Russia and France. His focus is on international market development and corporate strategy.

Corniels Tavenier

Commercial Director

Corniels Tavenier

Corniels Tavenier is Partner and Commercial Director of Aircrete since 2016. Before joining Aircrete Corniels worked at CRH, one of the world’s largest building materials companies, as a Business Development Manager.

Prior to CRH, Corniels worked as a Senior Associate in the Dutch office of M&A International, the world’s leading M&;A alliance. In his previous roles, Corniels was responsible for managing international buy- and sell-side processes, ranging from family-owned companies to divestments for corporate multinationals.

Corniels holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Strategic Management from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.

Corniels is focusing on the Group’s commercial strategy and new business development.

Koen van Boggelen

Operations Director

Koen van Boggelen is Partner and COO of Aircrete since 2015. He holds Bachelors and Masters Engineering degrees from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Koen remains an active alumnus serving as both guest lecturer in the course “Processes in a Project Based Environment” within the University-wide Project Management minor, and as Chairman of the Board of the Alumni foundation.

Before joining Aircrete, Koen worked as Senior Advisor in the Advisory practice of Ernst & Young, where he helped his clients to execute their projects and improve their business processes. Prior to this, Koen worked as a Project Manager at Grontmij, a major engineering firm in the Netherlands, where he executed several projects and improved the company’s overall project structure.

Thomas Mentink

Financial Director

Thomas Mentink is the Financial Director of Aircrete.

He has comprehensive international experience in strategy execution, business controlling, export financing and risk management.

Before joining Aircrete, Thomas worked as Financial Director in FERM Power Tools. He started his career as Investment Consultant with Coopers Investors, a private equity investment firm.

In these roles he was mainly responsible for strategy, treasury and cash management, reporting, HR and administrative management.

Thomas holds Master of Science degrees in Advanced International Business Management and in Marketing from Newcastle University Business School (UK) and Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (NL).

Thomas is focusing on Aircrete’s financial management and financially structuring Aircrete’s worldwide projects, including export and project financing.