La Nouvelle Route du Littoral (NRL), Réunion

Xblocs are used on the new coastal road (La Nouvelle Route du Littoral NRL) on the French island La Réunion in the Indian Ocean. The license agreement has been signed with a joint venture of GTOI (part of Colas), SBTPC (part of Vinci) and Vinci Construction Terrassement.

Automated Xbloc Production

The Xblocs have been produced in an automated factory. The blocks were produced on carrousels which move through the factory. A robot was used to de-mould the blocks, clean and prepare the formwork. Another robot was used to fill the moulds and vibrate the concrete. The system is expected to provide constant concrete properties and it reduces the labour involvement in the block production.