Research and development
Technology leadership is a central component of STRABAG SE’s Group Strategy 2030. Besides using new technologies, the Group initiates forward-looking projects, brings its in-house innovations to market maturity and pursues research partnerships, thereby consolidating its expertise across the entire Group. STRABAG spent a total of around € 17 million on research, development and innovation activities in the 2023 financial year (2022: approx. € 16 million).
Innovation and digitalisation concentrated in SID
Digitalisation and sustainability are the overriding themes these days in all segments of the construction industry. On the way to becoming a data-driven organisation, STRABAG is therefore focusing on cloud-based data storage, breaking down data silos and encouraging regular communication and exchange. The Group is committed to the ongoing advancement of the BIM 5D® digital working method, construction-specific applications for sensor technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). It is also helping to drive the advance of automation through robotic applications and semi-autonomous machines. At the same time, STRABAG is putting enormous effort into strategic innovation projects in the area of environmental sustainability. Central topics here are the circular economy and sustainable thinking with regard to energy, engineering and materials development.
Since 2020, STRABAG Innovation & Digitalisation (SID) – with 425 employees at over 15 locations – has taken the lead in initiating developments and providing expert support while maintaining a full overview of corporate-wide innovation activities and their measurable results. Numerous research and development projects are realised in close collaboration between the various operating divisions and the central divisions BMTI, TPA and Zentrale Technik. A large portion of the development work is triggered by the construction projects themselves. Certain issues also require medium-term collaboration with research institutions and partner companies.
Top priorities in transportation infrastructures are the digitalisation and automation of construction processes as well as the development of sustainable production and paving methods. The quarry operated by STRABAG subsidiary Mineral Baustoff GmbH in Eigenrieden in Thuringia, for example, is currently being transformed into STRABAG’s first climate-neutral quarry through digital planning, semi-autonomous machine technology and the use of renewable forms of energy.
In 2023, EFKON – a STRABAG subsidiary active in the field of traffic telematics systems – focused on the development of a new vehicle identification system for road monitoring vehicles. These vehicles are used to monitor the correct behaviour of road users in a toll system. The EFKON sensor platform uses laser sensors, image recording systems and communication technologies to correctly identify the relevant vehicle data and analyse hazardous materials signs on vehicles, among other things.
The Process Stability in Road Construction group at TPA succeeded in acquiring its first EU research project. The primary aim of the project, known as InfraROB, is to significantly increase road safety for both road users and construction site personnel. The project also aims at significantly reducing costs and minimising disruptions to traffic.
STRABAG AG and TPA launched an air-purifying and noise-reducing multifunctional asphalt surface course called ClAir® in 2023, showing how in-house developments can be successfully established on the market. During the reporting year, a total of 11,000 m² of ClAir® asphalt was installed, while a further project with an area of 12,000 m² is already planned for 2024 in Wuppertal.
The EMili project is also focused on road solutions as a driver of innovation. Inductive charging coils are being installed in asphalt and concrete roads on a trial basis to test how to charge electric vehicles while driving. The trial will generate new insights into the reliable integration of this technology while laying the foundations for potential future business areas.
In the building construction and civil engineering segment, rapid progress is being made in the development of generative design. By combining human expertise with artificial intelligence, this model-based design method offers building planners various possibilities for designing sustainable buildings across all specialist disciplines.
Mischek Systembau GmbH completed its Push Over research project in 2023. The aim of the project was to investigate the behaviour of the coursing joint and bend-resistant corners in framed solid precast walls in the event of an earthquake. The research results are a significant contribution to improved earthquake safety as well as providing additional application options for solid precast walls with lower material consumption.
STRABAG also made further progress in the area of AI in 2023. The Group is using machine learning models in conjunction with language models to generate data-driven risk assessments for construction projects both at the time of tender submission and during the execution phase. The high accuracy of these models has been verified and reviewed for plausibility by means of human expertise.
The Off-Highway Twins project uses AI to derive models of infrastructure objects and their surroundings in real time by merging geodata with machine-derived sensor and telemetry data.
In the expansion of broadband networks, STRABAG is using Building Information Modelling to develop concepts for the digital support of authorisation procedures, approval processes and coordination proceedings.