PERI VCT Track Wins bauma Innovation Award for Steel Composite Bridge
On 6 April 2025, Adam Hörnig Baugesellschaft mbH & Co. KG (AHA) proudly took home the prestigious bauma Innovation Award in the “Building” category, highlighting its ground-breaking use of PERI’s VCT VARIOKIT Composite Track.
Recognised at bauma, the world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery and technology, this accolade cements AHA’s position at the forefront of innovative bridge construction solutions.
Organised collaboratively by Messe München, VDMA, and leading construction industry associations including HDB, ZDB, and bbs, the bauma Innovation Award identifies and celebrates cutting-edge technologies in climate protection, digitisation, machinery advancements, construction methods, and ground-breaking research. From 208 submissions, just 52 innovations made it to the final stage, with 15 eventually shortlisted across various categories.
Evaluations hinged on criteria such as practical implementation, economic feasibility, digitisation integration, environmental impact, resource efficiency, and improving work conditions. AHA’s innovative approach using PERI’s VCT emerged as the clear leader within the fiercely competitive “Building” segment.
Transforming Bridge Construction
At the heart of AHA’s triumph is their innovative solution for the replacement of the Thulba Viaduct, a critical motorway link between Fulda and Würzburg on the A7 autobahn. The existing bridge, constructed over five decades ago, required a modern solution capable of enhancing durability, improving environmental efficiency, and minimising traffic disruptions.
Choosing PERI’s VCT VARIOKIT Composite Track, AHA adopted an unprecedented construction approach for the second steel composite superstructure. This system involves an advanced formwork carriage that operates beneath the bridge deck, eliminating the need for traditional support penetrations through the concrete deck itself. This ingenious innovation substantially boosts structural integrity, accelerates construction timelines, and reduces potential road closures significantly.
The adoption of PERI’s VCT technology brings clear and quantifiable advantages:
- Seamless Carriageway Construction: The innovative formwork system ensures near-jointless casting, significantly reducing the risk of cracking and evenly distributing structural loads.
- Accelerated Project Completion: Unobstructed top-level access optimises reinforcement installation efficiency, dramatically shortening overall construction periods.
- Enhanced Sustainability: By curbing the construction period, the VCT technology substantially reduces CO₂ emissions. This shorter, more efficient process also extends the bridge’s lifespan, providing a lasting environmental benefit.
Pioneering Innovation in Construction Methods
Peter Wagner, AHA’s Head of Bridge and Civil Engineering, underlines the company’s progressive mindset, stating: “We are never satisfied with the status quo. With the new cantilever bridge, we have the opportunity to further develop our projects and methods and make an important contribution to innovation in the industry.” Wagner’s words encapsulate the company’s commitment to reimagining conventional methods and embracing modern, sustainable practices.
By integrating the VCT VARIOKIT Composite Track, AHA not only simplifies the complex logistics of bridge construction but also addresses broader industry challenges such as resource conservation, environmental protection, and traffic management. Their success at bauma 2025 underscores the industry’s need for innovative thinking and the adoption of smarter, greener solutions.
Leading the Way in Formwork and Scaffolding Innovation
PERI, headquartered in Weissenhorn, Germany, is globally recognised for its innovative formwork and scaffolding solutions. In 2023 alone, the family-run business generated revenues totalling €1,847 million. With a workforce comprising approximately 9,200 skilled employees and an extensive network of over 160 logistics hubs in more than 65 countries, PERI remains dedicated to offering pioneering products and expert services across formwork and scaffolding domains.
As a trusted partner of Adam Hörnig Baugesellschaft, PERI continues to play a crucial role in transforming modern construction, enabling project managers and engineers to overcome challenges more efficiently and sustainably than ever before. Through innovative approaches such as the VCT VARIOKIT Composite Track, the company demonstrates its continued commitment to setting new industry benchmarks.
Bridging the Future
The accolade from bauma 2025 is more than an award—it symbolises a broader shift within the construction sector towards embracing technological innovations that significantly enhance sustainability and efficiency. Adam Hörnig’s application of PERI’s VCT technology not only exemplifies industry-leading innovation but also serves as a blueprint for future bridge construction projects worldwide.
With infrastructural demands continually evolving and environmental regulations tightening, the construction sector must increasingly rely on innovation and ingenuity. Companies that leverage pioneering technologies, much like AHA’s adoption of PERI’s ground-breaking VCT system, are poised to lead the industry into a brighter, more sustainable future.
