Construction World June 2021

reclaimed asphalt, so we don’t run out of the ‘black gold'. Nifty options for more user-friendliness and efficiency Although there are now many asphalt mixing plants capable of producing asphalt containing RAP, the current requirements in the road construction industry are becoming increasingly demanding. For instance, customers are keen on their asphalt to have specific properties, such as their colour, elasticity, or stability. Additives are used to achieve these properties, and Knäble has integrated three separate, fully automated systems for their composition. All three are automated, making them extremely easy to use. Knäble has a double dosing unit for powder and granulate, a separate feed system for bulk materials such as Trinidad asphalt or rubber granulate, and a multi-variable RAP feed system that can feed up to 40% reclaimed asphalt into the process cold – or, alternatively, non-adhesive bulk materials. This gives Knäble a lot of flexibility. Besides the inherently user-friendly plant design, Knäble GmbH Straßenbau has also put other aspects in place to ensure first-class working conditions for the plant operator and the entire team. For instance, an elevator takes both personnel and materials up to the top level, allowing all checks and maintenance tasks to be performed in comfort. Knäble staff can also look forward to a particular highlight down on the ground: The asphalt mixing plant’s command center, at the heart of which is a BLS 3000 BENNINGHOVEN control system, is housed in a separate building that is kept at a pleasant temperature throughout the year. From here, staff can keep an eye on all relevant areas of the plant via a CCTV system without having to leave their workstations. “If you look at what’s been created here, it’s almost a shame that I’ll be able to retire soon,” says a regretful Reinold Helmut, the plant operator. ▄ customer support and innovative equipment technologies.” A full range of products and services will also be offered to forestry customers. Product offerings include skidders, feller bunchers, tracked harvesters, and forwarders. As part of their readiness to effectively sell and support the new products, local John Deere and dealer employees were trained and skilled on the equipment. “We want to offer solutions on all business platforms, therefore we’re launching a separate and specialised John Deere Financial solution on construction and forestry equipment”, added Antois van der Westhuizen, Managing Director for John Deere Financial in Africa. Leveraging the same technology, radio frequencies, and approvals as on the agricultural equipment, John Deere is ready to launch applicable precision technology on select construction products. ▄

constantly be held. “Compared with running the old plant, our average recycling rate has increased from 25% to 60%,” reports a proud Myriam Knäble, wife of the Managing Director. “And, with the hot-gas generator, we’re saving 770 metric tons of CO 2 a year.” This is a huge benefit, particularly in light of the introduction of CO 2 certificates in Germany – since the start of the year, companies that bring fuels onto the market have been required to buy emission allowances, better known as CO 2 certificates. Initially, they will be charged EUR 25 per metric ton of CO 2 released through burning heating oil, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel. Emission certificate prices will be set by the federal government during the introductory phase, which lasts until 2025. The price per metric tonne of CO 2 will be EUR 25 in 2021 and increase in stages to EUR 55 by 2025. In 2026, certificates are to be auctioned in a price range of EUR 55-65 for the first time, after which they are expected to be traded freely on the market. Putting a price on CO 2 is part of the German government’s Climate Action Programme 2030. Since energy providers pass the costs incurred onto their customers, companies that are energy-efficient and thus have low-emission, environmentally friendly operations will stand to benefit even more in future. The BENNINGHOVEN hot-gas generator is a sophisticated solution that is enjoying increasing popularity in many parts of Europe. At Knäble, too, the technology delivers what BENNINGHOVEN promises – a recycling rate of 90 + X%. “We’ve already hit 96% when making asphaltic mixture for the base,” says Nicolas Knäble, Managing Director of Knäble GmbH. “The quality we achieved when rehabilitating the B 33 federal highway where it passes through Hasslach is spot on. The days of working reclaimed asphalt being a challenge are long gone. Instead, we now need to make sure that we’ve got enough material on stock for our orders that require a specific RAP rate. This is why we’re focusing specifically on bidding for tenders that will get us some A fter recently announcing plans to expand its construction lineup into new markets, John Deere proudly announces its first three construction & forestry dealers responsible for the Southern African region: AFGRI Equipment, Mascor, and Senwes Equipment. Each of these dealer groups has made significant enhancements to their business models to serve construction and forestry customers and support the new product and service offerings. “Our approach is to leverage the John Deere brand and product power with the established and highly reputable AFGRI Equipment customer focus and footprint in Southern Africa,” said Pieter Nel, C&F business leader for AFGRI Equipment. “We aim to not try and replicate but to offer unique, innovative, and exciting value propositions to customers.” Each dealer has dedicated personnel and resources to ensure focus on construction & forestry’s unique and critical customer segments. “We are focused on customer service, this is not a department, but an attitude backed up with the necessary skill and resources,” added Bill Comins, CEO of Mascor. “We are ready to dig in and get our hands dirty.” These dealers have been named to represent John Deere branded construction and forestry products not previously available in the region, including backhoe loaders, wheel loaders, motor graders, crawler dozers, and the very latest series of John Deere excavators – a first on the continent. Managing Director for Senwes Equipment, Ferdie Pieterse, commented on the expansive product offering and the John Deere brand reputation for quality: “It provides us with the opportunity to build on the renowned product quality and performance, exceptional

John Deere names new dealers in Africa

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD JUNE 2021