From the Black Forest to the Arabian Gulf
An anniversary journey through 60 years of PASCHAL history
A super clinic in a cloverleaf design in Denmark, the planetarium in Halle, a dam in North Africa or a drinking water reservoir in Lower Saxony: whether in Germany, Europe or on other continents: When architects have special requirements in terms of geometry, some construction companies become puzzled. Or, they get advice and formwork from PASCHAL. PASCHAL solutions are particularly in demand when construction projects are complex per se, but also because they can be concreted quickly and cost-effectively. Barbara Vetter, the daughter of the founding couple Josef and Gertrud Maier and managing partner, is therefore right to say: 'Formwork is easy when it's just straight and at right angles. The true art is revealed when it becomes round and curved.'
Barbara R. Vetter has been responsible for the management of the PASCHAL Group since 1994. With the founding of 'G. Maier Metallverarbeitung' and the development of a modular system for concrete formwork in 1964, her parents laid the foundation for the special success story of PASCHAL, which originated in the Black Forest and is being continued worldwide. A 1964 start-up that really began in a garage.
Construction companies all over the world rely on the robust, versatile and 'patented formwork' from Steinach and even gave the company its name. We look back on outstanding projects and innovative developments from 60 years of the company's history.
Radius-adjustable TTR circular formwork for the hospital in Erstein in Alsace
PASCHAL trapezoidal girder formwork (TTR, TTK and TTS) is valued worldwide as radius-adjustable circular formwork, partly due to its low number of clamping points.
Across borders – when things get tricky, you rely on PASCHAL
Whether slightly curved or perfectly rounded: With PASCHAL you can do both. The construction company Sotravest, which was commissioned to build the new sports centre in Saargemünd in France, also relied on this. The construction workers from Sotravest were able to form the slightly curved walls using circular trapezoidal girder formwork with clamp connection (TTK) to create a smooth curve without any kinks.
PASCHAL's solutions were also in demand for a very special bridge: the connection between Germany and France near Kehl. A new 160-metre-long steel arch bridge was built for the extension of the Strasbourg tram to Kehl station. The construction company GTM-HALLE used the modular formwork and LOGO.3 formwork systems for both the bridge foundations of Pont Citadelle and for the two abutments.
Many customers who use PASCHAL formwork solutions become regular customers. This is partly due to the expertise of the specialist formwork consultants, but also because contact persons are always close at hand: Personally on site and when working on a customised solution for the customer. The first wave of expansion took place in the 1970s
Close to the customer – PASCHAL is growing
High, higher, PASCHAL – reach the sky with patented formwork solutions
Whether in Dubai, the Kingdom of Bahrain or Oman – PASCHAL has been operating successfully in the Arabian Gulf for many years. In 1997, PASCHAL founded PASCHAL Concrete Forms Co. W.L.L. Bahrain together with Kooheji Contractors W.L.L. in the capital Manama of the Kingdom of Bahrain, followed by a subsidiary in Dubai in 2004. One of the most spectacular construction projects was certainly the involvement in the Golden Mile, the base for the Palm Jumeirah. 94 million cubic metres of sand and seven million tonnes of stone were moved to create the palm island, which was artificially created in the middle of the sea. PASCHAL supplied the modular universal formwork for the construction of the 1.6 km long ground floor. The Palm Jumeirah was inaugurated at the end of 2008 and was one of the most expensive construction sites in the world, with cost hitting a ten-digit figure.
Abu Dhabi International Airport – Construction of a large foundation with modular universal formwork
The modular/GE universal formwork has rightly earned its name, because this system proved its versatility, adaptability and flexibility on a wide variety of construction sites around the world, whether for foundations, walls, shafts, curves, supports or beams.
Two further projects then took things to the next level. The two modern luxury towers of the Fontana Infinity rise up in the heart of the capital Manama. The modular/GE universal formwork and, as an extension, the NeoR were used for the shafts, stairwells, shear walls and columns. The lightweight formwork was also used to construct the shafts of the Onyx Sky View in Bahrain, a 53-storey luxury skyscraper with stunning views of the Manama skyline and the sea.
Perfect form and function: PASCHAL formwork solutions for the Fontana Infinity in Bahrain
In both towers, the shafts, stairwells, shear walls and columns were formed with approximately 600 m² of modular/GE universal formwork and NeoR as an extension. This formwork system proved extremely flexible to implement, especially in combination with other products PASCHAL climbing brackets were used to form the external walls. 2000 m² of PASCHAL Deck slab formwork were used for the concrete slabs of both towers.
But PASCHAL's customised formwork is also in demand, for example, for the construction of an ore processing plant – a billion-euro project in Oman in 2010. The circular trapezoidal girder formwork (TTR), which PASCHAL launched on the market in 2005, was used as climbing formwork for the challenging funnel shape of the round tower – the wall is between 60 cm and 1.50 m thick. The special feature of the TTR: the radius was preset to an accuracy of 1 cm by the system: it was not necessary to readjust it on site in Oman or on other projects. This makes work much easier and saves time on the construction site.
Always innovative: LOGO.pro and NeoR: Current prestige project and latest development
The large-area wall formwork LOGO.3 was supplemented with LOGO.pro. Jacob Christensen, head of PASCHAL Denmark, explains the advantages of the one-sided anchoring that is now possible: 'With LOGO.pro, the tie rods can be mounted and screwed on from the outside. That way, the builders don't have to climb down the shaft to tighten the plates with ball-and-socket joints.' The LOGO.pro formwork system was used to form the shafts for Denmark's tallest timber building. The WoodHub – the future government building in Odense on the island of Funen – is a sustainable prestige project designed by the well-known architectural firm C.F. Møller Architects with a total budget of the equivalent of EUR 86.5 million. It will open in 2025.
WoodHUB in Odense, Denmark – Paschal's wall formwork system, LOGO.pro, and climbing bracket 240 were used for the stairwells and shafts. With their help, the tower 'grows' upwards together with the formwork.
Paschal's LOGO.pro was used as formwork for the shafts in order to provide one-sided anchoring from the outside. The advantage: workers do not have to climb into the shaft.
In 2020, PASCHAL introduced the NeoR lightweight formwork as a further development of the tried-and-tested modular universal formwork. Because the formwork elements are particularly lightweight, they can be easily assembled and moved on site. It is the ideal solution for modern building construction projects. Lightweight formwork demonstrates its particular advantages in building construction projects such as the luxury properties in Bahrain and is used time and again by PASCHAL's long-standing partner and one of Bahrain's leading project developers, Kooheji Contractors.
NeoR manual and large-area formwork – the next generation
In 2020, PASCHAL introduced the NeoR lightweight formwork as a further development of the tried-and-tested modular universal formwork. The NeoR is characterised by its low weight and easy handling without losing stability and flexibility.
Paschal goes digital
Companies are increasingly realising that BIM and the collaborative cooperation of all those involved in construction are indispensable when it comes to remaining fit for the future. This is why Planitec, an IT company that supports companies with its software solutions in the 3D planning and execution of their construction projects was founded back in 2008. With the planitec AR app, you can conveniently view the current planning status on a smartphone or tablet. In 2022, PASCHAL with its website www.paschal-digital.com opened its virtual showroom that presents its extensive portfolio to all interested parties and customers.
PASCHAL Maturix, the solution for monitoring concrete, is celebrating its fifth birthday this year. Whereas in previous decades, the expertise and experience of the foreman was needed to decide when it was the right time to dismantle the formwork, you can now rely on a probe that measures the strength of the concrete. 'With the help of Maturix, it's possible to dismantle it two to three days earlier. An advantage when construction time is tight', says Marc Weißgräber, technical director of B+H Bau, which is implementing the construction project for Deutsche Bahn.
Sustainable into the future
Paschal's formwork solutions are durable and robust. The fact that the frames last up to 30 years with good care alone contributes to their cost-effectiveness. The plywood is made from Finnish birch and is therefore made from renewable raw materials. The newly offered parting compound MOVA-bio and MOVA-fix are also solvent-free and biodegradable. Graduate engineer Uwe Hägerich, head of R&D, Construction, emphasises: 'Our development work aims to offer innovative and sustainable solutions that meet the requirements of modern construction companies.'
To mark the 60th anniversary of the company, Barbara R. Vetter, managing director of the PASCHAL Group, was honoured with an award from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry [IHK]. This recognition is a testament to many years of dedication, quality and innovation in the construction industry and also honours all those who have contributed to this success – all employees, partners and customers.
LOGO.3 system formwork for Green Tower in Freiburg
A gross floor area of approx. 15,000 m² plus garage will be constructed on a floor area of around 5,600 m².
Ed. Züblin AG, Karlsruhe department, in the Freiburg region, which was responsible for the entire reinforced concrete work for the high-rise project, used LOGO.3 Wall formwork from PASCHAL.
Masterful detailed solutions – special steel formwork for the new Pier G at Frankfurt Airport
In total, 264 reinforced concrete props with differing prop heights of up to 9.00 m with prop cross-sections of D = 60, 70 and 80 cm were formed. Each prop was formed together with the support bracket and base and concreted in one step.
Bridge built between France and Germany – the Strasbourg tram to Kehl.
Tram line D was routed over the Vauban Basin in the direction of Kehl via a curved steel bridge section 160 metres in length, starting at its current terminus, the 'Aristide Briand' tram stop. For the two bridge foundations and for the two abutments, the construction company involved, GTM-HALLE used PASCHAL's two formwork systems, LOGO.3 and the modular formwork system.
