Innovation
Innovation is how we build better and with less environmental impact. Temse is our Innovation Hub where we put that to the test, trialling new technologies before rolling them out across our projects.
Why we innovate
Innovation is critical for our future: we stay relevant for our customers, improve our operations and attract talent that is eager to work in a company that is willing to move ahead.
We continuously invest in the latest technologies, efficient energy solutions, materials and processes.
Innovation is a driver of many of our initiatives that can be found in this sustainability report:
With our “green concrete” approach we reduce the environmental impact of our precast elements.
“At Cordeel, we have always believed in the power of innovation to drive human progress.” Filip Cordeel (Chairman of the Cordeel Group)
Doubling down on digital construction technology helps us building faster and more efficient.
Like C-flow, a technology that helps streamlining all players involved in the construction process and increase the speed of building.
We also promote a culture of continuous improvement, in line with our value “Be better every day”. Employees can share ideas how to improve daily work or processes. The best ideas are granted a price.
Launching or participating in innovative start-ups
The vertical integration of our companies along the supply-chain is one of our success factors. We regularly evaluate whether we have white-spots in the construction process.
Especially in the past four years we committed to this approach by launching dedicated entities. Alternatively, we participate in start-ups, where we usually opt for a stake of at least 50%.
In the C-innovation division, we gather start-ups and scale-ups that are focusing on sustainable and innovative products, like C-fire, C-biotech (hemp-based products), Sobeltec (paints and coatings) and C-ground (energy hills and soil remediation).
New business models like Energy or Heat as a Service are combined in C-energy. C-battery engineers and assembles industrial battery racks.
In the C-tech division, companies linked to building techniques are gathered, like Flywel (drones).
Leveraging Artificial intelligence with Neuron Factory
In 2025, we became the first construction company to pilot the AI platform of Neuron Factory, a Silicon Valley startup founded by technology leaders from Microsoft, Waymo, and Escher Cloud.
Their platform uses a proprietary task graph: a system that maps tasks, roles, and knowledge across an organisation, allowing AI agents to operate within complex construction environments and support real-time coordination and task delegation.
Construction relies on a wide web of disconnected tools and processes. Neuron Factory’s approach puts AI agents at the center of that complexity, helping teams focus on their areas of expertise rather than on coordination overhead.
Filip Cordeel participated as a strategic investor in the company’s seed round.
Biodegradable, PFAS-free fire extinguishers
With our innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment and systems, C-fire offers a sustainable solution for firefighting.
We have developed extinguishing fluids that are free of fluorine, a component of PFAS which is harmful to the environment. European legislation is in the making to phase out fluorine-free fire extinguishers fluids.
Our products are just as effective as previous systems but much more sustainable. Rather than waiting for legislation to be finalised and implemented in Belgium, we have already included products in our assortment that meet these requirements.
To further enhance our product range, we have developed a 100% biodegradable fire extinguishing spray for small or early fires, called Control Fire. This product is also safe to use on humans as it does not cause irritation or harm if it ends up on sensitive areas such as the face, mouth or eyes. Additionally, Control Fire can also cool down and extinguish fires in batteries.
We take safety seriously, which is why all of our lithium-ion batteries of C-battery include fire extinguishing tubes, increasing the safety of the batteries.
Find a video online: https://www.youtube.com/embed/vbpSrg5cahE?controls=1&autoplay=1&mute=1
Innovation scouting
In order to be up-to-date on relevant new products and services that could us help succeeding in our mission, we regularly scout the market. Additionally, we are part of a number of initiatives that match us with interesting companies.
Rise PropTech Fund is a hands-on venture capital fund dedicated to Late-Seed and Series A startups active in the PropTech sector.
Rise PropTech Fund aims to support the transformation of the European PropTech sector, by enriching the existing eco-system, attracting promising young companies, encouraging the different actors within the sector to collaborate and exploit potential synergies. They invest in startups having the ambition and the potential to change the construction & real estate industry in Europe.
Demonstrating the future of energy management in Temse
On our Innovation Hub in Temse, we test new technologies to accelerate the energy transition.
To improve our understanding of community energy systems (CES), Cordeel has turned its headquarters in Temse into an operational site to showcase a CES:
- 2 MWp of rooftop ePV
- 1,5 MWh of battery storage (400 kWh stationary, 1100 kWh mobile battery storage)
- A hydrogen electrolyser to fuel Cordeel’s fleet of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
- EV charging hub to charge Cordeel’s electric vehicle fleet
- Planned closed-loop pumped hydro storage through licensed energy hill concept
Whilst these results have a positive effect on the energy transition, they also generate a cost advantage for Cordeel and a reduction in dependence on the external energy markets.
Energy Hill pilot project
Construction has been underway at our Innovation Hub in Temse since June 2022. The hill is growing daily and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Some key facts on the hill in Temse:
- Difference in height: 21m
- Capacity: 3,000 m³ of water / 0.17 MWh
- Turbine power of 170 kW
- 85 MWh annual capacity
In May 2025 we received the permit for our second energy hill project, located in Zutendaal. It will have a capacity of 1 MWh and will be build from 850.000 ton of non-contaminated soil. Construction has started end of 2025.
Setting up a hydrogen supply chain
C-energy and Cordeel have set up a hydrogen supply chain in Temse, starting from local renewable power (PV), electrolysis, hydrogen storage and hydrogen compression in a refuelling station.
We use the implementation of this supply chain as test case to learn about a technology that will potentially have a big impact on the energy transition. This will help us crafting our business proposals for the future, as we are convinced that hydrogen is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but in need of very specific needs to have the intended effect.
Showroom
In our showroom in Temse visitors can experience our innovative products and solutions.
We regularly host events as well as customer meetings here.
Via four huge screens and the exhibited products, we explain how Cordeel Group can support our customers in realising their future-proof projects.
