Cement-Free Concrete Cycle Path Takes Shape in Flevoland

Along the Vogelweg (N706) in Flevoland, a new concrete cycle path runs between the fields, but its binder contains no cement. Over two pouring days in October 2026, contractor Reimert Groep laid about 1.2 kilometres of the path in geopolymer concrete, commissioned by the Province of Flevoland.

It is the first cement-free cycle path in the province. The concrete comes from Theo Pouw Groep, which developed it with Reimert as development partner. According to Reimert, the mix cuts CO2 emissions by 50 to 80 per cent compared with conventional concrete, without concessions on quality or safety. The project is co-funded by the European Union.

From Two Bridges to Kilometres of Path

The partners have worked with the material before. For the Floriade in Almere, Reimert built two bridges in Theo Pouw’s cement-free concrete: part of a cycle and pedestrian bridge, and a traffic bridge. Testing institute Kiwa, which certified the concrete and monitors the structures, describes a binder without cement clinker and recycled aggregates, including local residual materials such as old station platforms and waste from public space. Theo Pouw holds a KOMO innovation certificate for it. MaterialDistrict also reported on low-carbon concrete in a wildlife bridge in Utrecht.

Reimert now calls geopolymer concrete developed, tested and certified, and sees the Vogelweg path as the step from tests and pilots to use at scale in a regular infrastructure project.

Poured Through the Seasons

The path is deliberately poured at different times of year, to see how the material behaves in different weather and site conditions. The October pours took place in cool, sunny weather with a strong wind and a wet subbase. To avoid saturating the rubble foundation, tracked dumpers brought the concrete in via the verge. A slipform paver from BKB Infra followed a GPS model of the digital design, so curves and cross-falls match the drawings exactly.

In May, the province, Reimert, Theo Pouw and invited partners visited the works on both sides of the Knardijk, where the finished section and the part under construction could be seen side by side. In the photographs, the finished path looks like ordinary light grey concrete. The Floriade bridges were part of a wider look at new materials on the expo site, covered in MaterialDistrict goes Floriade.

Reimert stresses that the material can only grow with clients who are willing to apply it. Pouring on the Vogelweg continues in stages, each in a different season.

Source & images: Reimert Groep / Kiwa