Sand is transported by road to concrete and asphalt plants, road construction projects, and sports fields, making an important contribution to the construction and infrastructure sector in both Germany and the Netherlands. The Kalle extraction site, near Hardenberg, is approximately 10 kilometres from the Dutch-German border and has been in operation since 2006. Over the years, this site has been developed into a modern, fully automated production facility.

In Kalle, an unmanned dredger collects the construction material. In the steadily growing water body, the dredger is positioned using winches and operates fully automatically. The dredger can excavate to a depth of up to 25 metres and is designed to carefully preserve the banks, maintaining the surrounding ecosystem and minimising disruption.

After an initial separation using a so-called sand wheel, a combination of techniques is applied to achieve the desired composition. Continuous measures are also taken in Kalle to protect and support nature. The method is fully certified and monitored by both Dutch and German authorities.

Thanks to this sustainable and precise approach, Smals Germany delivers high-quality construction materials that not only meet the highest quality standards but are also extracted with respect for nature and the environment. Smals thus combines expertise in sand extraction with environmental awareness and customer-focused solutions.