Innovative Flood Protection: The Vlotterkering® (Float Barrier®) at Waterschap Limburg

Arcen, a village along the river Meuse in Limburg, is the focus of a major dike upgrade after its existing flood defenses were found not to meet modern safety standards. To protect the surrounding area from high water, Waterschap Limburg (the regional water authority) initiated the Dike Reinforcement and Relocation Arcen project under the national High Water Protection Programme (HWBP). The work is being carried out by the Dijkzone Alliantie Arcen – a consortium of Ploegam, Dura Vermeer, and Hollandia Infra – as part of the largest dike strengthening operation in the Netherlands since the famous Delta Works.

This ambitious project will deliver about 4.8 kilometers of new primary flood defenses around Arcen. The design combines traditional earthen dikes with innovative engineered structures where space or visibility is a concern. In the village center (Arcen-Midden), the project includes a 589 meter long self-closing flood barrier, a passive system installed below ground that will automatically rise during flooding. To maintain scenic views, parts of the flood defense in town will use transparent glass wall sections in lieu of earthen embankments. In other areas north and south of the village, the existing “green” dikes are being strengthened and in some places set back (relocated) to broaden the floodplain and improve stability. Together, these measures will ensure Arcen and its surroundings have high-water protection for the future while blending into the local environment.

Project construction is scheduled to begin in late 2025 (September 2025) and is expected to last about 28 months. Sustainability is a key aspect of the effort – the alliance is employing an emission-free work strategy, even using electric vehicles for transport. For example, in 2025 the first steel gate segments of the self-closing barrier were delivered to the site via a fully electric truck. Each steel segment is approximately 9.5 m long, 4 m wide, and 3 m high, weighing nearly 7,000 kg. A total of 62 such segments will be fabricated and installed to form the Arcen flood barrier, providing a robust modular wall that stays out of sight during normal conditions. This innovative barrier, along with the reinforced dike sections, will significantly bolster flood safety for Arcen’s residents and landmarks while minimizing the project’s visual and environmental footprint.

AllShield’s Contribution: CoreShield Protective Coating

AllShield Coatings was brought on board as a specialist contractor to enhance the safety and durability of certain construction materials used in the Arcen dike reinforcement. In particular, the project makes use of large EPS (expanded polystyrene) blocks within the dike structure. EPS is an ultra-lightweight fill material often used to reduce soil pressure in dikes and embankments; however, in its raw form EPS foam is combustible and vulnerable to chemicals or mechanical damage. To address this, AllShield applied its innovative CoreShield coating to encapsulate and protect the EPS elements used in Arcen. AllShield’s coating forms a rock-hard, non-combustible layer around the foam that effectively shields it from fire and harsh substances. In fact, the mineral-based CoreShield is resistant to strong acids up to pH 2, ensuring that even in challenging environments the EPS core will not degrade. This protective layer also adds mechanical strength, guarding the lightweight blocks against impacts or erosion. By making a normally flammable material like polystyrene fire-safe and durable, AllShield’s contribution was crucial for meeting the strict safety requirements of this project.

AllShield worked in close collaboration with the Dijkzone Alliantie and other specialist partners (including Trelleborg Sealing Solutions for critical water seals) to integrate its solution into the overall design. The result is a more resilient flood defense: the EPS cores enable innovative dike construction techniques, and thanks to AllShield CoreShield, these components are safely protected against fire, chemicals, and physical wear for the long term. The Dike Reinforcement Arcen project exemplifies how modern materials and coatings can be used to build safer, more sustainable infrastructure – helping to keep communities like Arcen safe from rising waters for decades to come.

Sources: Waterschap Limburg & Dijkzone Alliantie Arcen project news; Ploegam – Project Dijkversterking Arcen; AllShield Coatings – Product and Company Information

With AllShield CoreShield, we transformed lightweight EPS into a resilient building block – fire-safe, acid-resistant, and impact-proof – ready to protect Arcen for generations to come.