What is your background:

Pig farmer in the Netherlands and Germany, owner of the van Asten Group.

Name of idea:

FlexiPigFloor

 

This is my idea for HBIVV 2024:

The patented FlexiPigFloor makes it possible for the first time to easily, permanently, quickly and cost-effectively repair and adapt existing concrete slatted floors to (new) specifications for trench width, surface finish and lying surface. The coated profiles provide optimal passage and guarantee dry, clean pens, improving housing conditions for animals.

New and existing requirements regarding the gap width and closed floor of swine grates often require modifications in existing barns. As slatted floors wear out, they no longer meet the requirements and grates. In addition to wearing out, uncoated concrete grates have the problem that manure adheres better to them. As a result, they absorb moisture, which increases the likelihood of contamination. As a result, bacteria and viruses have better conditions. This can have a negative impact on hygiene and animal welfare.

the FlexiPigfloor System consists of 2 main products: aluminum extrusion profiles and a synthetic resin. We have developed different systems for this, a special approach for each floor. In all cases, your floor is ready for use again within a few days and meets the latest standards. In addition, the new floor is liquid-proof in the top layer, which significantly improves hygiene in the barn. So you no longer need to apply a coating, which is, after all, the basis of this system.

 

How does the idea help an entrepreneur future-proof?

Until now, replacing the concrete slatted floors has been the only available solution. This process, which requires a lot of manual labor, is very labor intensive. It involves dismantling the equipment, removing and disposing of the slatted floors, cleaning the slurry pit and removing the mortar layers from the slatted floors. After these steps, the newly constructed grates are installed. This is followed by restoration and repair of the equipment. However, it should be noted that in some cases the equipment cannot be used after disassembly or the grate floors cannot be replaced without completely rebuilding them. Moreover, when installing grates with low perforation rates, the problem often arises that the passageway is insufficient. This leads to accumulation of fecal matter, which harms hygiene.

 

How does the idea contribute to the pig farmer’s revenue model?

It is a practical alternative to replacing concrete grid floors, can be installed in one day. The profiles are available in two versions: 4 mm profiles cast into the cement coating and flat profiles glued to the coating. An aluminum profile allows holes of all shapes and sizes, adapted to specific needs and requirements. FlexiPigFloor does not require a safety margin to ensure trench width permanently, maximizing the passage of manure. This means that existing slatted floors can be optimized as lying areas. The slats are non-porous, even, non-skid and prevent moisture absorption through the concrete. They cool less after cleaning, dry faster and are easier to clean, which improves hygiene. Overall, FlexiPigFloor offers an effective and efficient solution for renewing and renovating slatted floors.

 

Describe why your idea is innovative.

FlexiPigFloor consists of aluminum profiles and a cement-based coating, eliminating the need to replace existing concrete columns. It allows the repair of existing concrete slats, the adaptation of trench widths to legal requirements or the transformation of existing concrete slats into a comfortable lying surface with a low perforation rate. Despite the modifications, the drainage of feces and urine is maintained. The openings in the aluminum slats can be flexibly adapted to the respective requirements. After the system is installed, the result is a flat, fully coated surface that is both slip-resistant and completely water-repellent. In addition, it offers the possibility of creating a suitable lying surface at any point on the slatted floor.

 

How does the idea contribute to animal health and/or animal welfare?

Our profiles and coating, as well as the floor as a whole, have been extensively tested in laboratories. This involved simulating various aggressive chemicals that might occur in a barn, such as formic acid, lactic acid, butyric acid and phosphoric acid. The spillage of knitting feed was also taken into account. Which could cause severe damage to the existing concrete floor. After these thorough tests, and after practical application with two rounds of animals, we released the product for production.