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Doka to Unveil Innovative Solutions at bauma 2025

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Reading Time: 5 minutes

At bauma 2025, Doka, together with parent company Umdasch Group, will present more than 40 pioneering innovations in formwork, scaffolding, and other key areas covering the lifecycle of a building object. Visitors to the 5,300 m² exhibition space (booth FN.420 – FN.423) will experience new technologies, products, and materials designed to drive efficiency and boost productivity on the job site, to make concrete construction fit for the future.

Construction productivity has lagged behind other industries for decades. While productivity in manufacturing increased by 90 percent and the overall economy by 50 percent between 2000 and 2022, construction saw only a 10 percent improvement, the equivalent of just 0.4 percent per year (McKinsey, 2024 ).

“We cannot build the future with yesterday’s methods,” says Robert Hauser, CEO of Doka. “The construction industry is facing enormous challenges – above all, it must overcome its productivity stagnation. While we are just one part of the bigger picture, we are committed to creating real value within our field. Through new technologies and, most importantly, the consistent digitalisation of the entire formwork process. Making this possible for our customers must be our ambition – nothing less.”

The growing portfolio of Doka products and services is future-proofing the industry by updating outdated construction methodology. At bauma 2025, Doka will be showcasing more than 40 innovative products and solutions, all designed to help customers boost their productivity. To further highlight its ambitions for the next era of construction, Doka will unveil its vision of a fully digitised formwork process. The focus is on enabling seamless process integration through a connected platform to unlock unparalleled transparency and full control over the entire formwork and pouring workflow, anytime and anywhere.

Automation, Robotics and More

A semi-automated formwork robot, entire digitally controlled products, a new working method for concrete wall construction and more highlights await visitors in the new “smart construction” outdoor area at the Doka booth.

Doka presents a new method for constructing concrete walls: Doka LeanForm is a central pre-assembly platform that, just like an assembly line, allows complete formwork units to be assembled at a safe, controlled workstation, before being lifted into place by a crane. This brings numerous advantages, including shorter distances between storage and workspaces, which minimise transportation needs, reduced search and waiting times on the site, and more. Doka is also presenting a glimpse into the future, as a robot will mobilise and place various components in the pre-assembly platform.

After making its prototype debut at the last show, the DokaXbot Lift has been completely reengineered for bauma 2025. Featuring intuitive ground-level operation, automatic fine adjustments, and compensation for floor unevenness, the DokaXbot Lift now enables the precise positioning of formwork elements up to 5.7 metres high, making overhead work safer and more efficient. The DokaXbot Lift will be showcased in the outdoor area and as part of the live shows in the main hall.

Doka is setting new industry standards in automating of formwork solutions. With the next-generation drive system Doka FormDrive, Doka creates the basis for automated formwork solutions in high-rise and infrastructure construction. The heart of the new system at the high-rise exhibit is a mobile control unit for lifting the climbing system and steering all movements of the wall formwork. This reduces the manual workload while simultaneously increasing safety and productivity

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Multiple Premieres in Wall and Slab Formwork

To boost the spread of new, more climate-friendly concrete mixes, Doka has developed an intelligent heated formwork prototype. Through targeted heating, the prototype accelerates the delayed strength development of CO₂-reduced concrete, enabling safe and efficient use on site. Integrated digital sensors allow real-time concrete monitoring to further optimise performance on-site. The prototype will debut at the international fair, following successful trials in research projects and on live construction sites. With this technology, Doka is proving that formwork is more than just a supporting structure: it is a key enabler in the transition to low-carbon concrete and the decarbonisation of construction sites. “As one of the largest GHG emitters worldwide, the construction industry must evolve,” says Hauser. “CO₂-reduced concrete is a key driver of change, and we are committed to supporting a lower carbon construction future, in line with our own ambitious goal of achieving net zero by 2040. We are excited to present our prototype at such an important show.”

Visitors can look forward to even more highlights:

  • By integrating circular economy principles, Doka is proving that sustainability and economic efficiency go hand in hand. The Xlife top sheet is the first Doka formwork sheet with a core made entirely from upcycled plastic. Designed for particularly high durability and multiple reuse cycles, it reduces material consumption and maintenance costs, delivering both financial and environmental advantages. At the end of its lifecycle, the sheet is returned to a closed-loop system, where it is processed into new sheet cores.
  • When it comes to slab formwork, the DokaXdek system family with the DokaXdek table, DokaXdek panel and DokaXdek I-frame will be presented with latest innovations at the show.
  • A new safety upgrade for beam slab formwork with the Safeflex sliding mesh and Safeflex system, sets new standards in stability and safety in both precast and in-situ concrete applications.

To improve efficiency, Doka is introducing new components to its product portfolio: A key highlight is the innovative XT20 beam, which offers 50 percent higher load capacity, resulting in up to 15 percent material and cost savings. Although it has new features, the extra tough XT20 stays within the familiar H20 dimensions without compromising compatibility. Additionally, the new Doka Eurex 20 basic floor prop, combines higher load-bearing capacity with reduced weight, ensuring easier handling and lower costs across all slab systems.

Another major addition to Doka’s formwork portfolio is making its debut. In 2024, Doka acquired Malaysian-based MFE, the market leader for monolithic aluminum formwork. Now, at bauma 2025, Doka is bringing monolithic formwork technology to the exhibition for the first time, demonstrating its impact on modern, high-speed construction.

Raising the Bar in Scaffolding

Doka, together with AT-PAC, the group’s dedicated scaffolding brand, will showcase new scaffolding solutions designed to enhance efficiency and safety for both construction and industrial customers. A dedicated area to the new scaffolding product lines will feature developments in façade scaffolding, access systems, and expanded shoring applications, increasing the versatility of Ringlock scaffolding for construction projects. These new product lines will be showcased alongside an impressive 30-meter scaffolding tower with an integrated viewing platform, a standout booth feature that offers visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of the bauma fairgrounds.

Lighter and More Versatile Shoring Solutions

Doka will present the next generation of shoring systems, designed to meet the highest industry standards. Debuting globally, the new DokaXshore is a lightweight, tool-free shoring system engineered for maximum efficiency with a 100 kN leg load capacity. The innovative system is built for projects that demand speed of assembly, ease of use, and high safety.

Meanwhile, the Doka UniKit heavy shoring system has already proven itself on high-rise, bridge, tunnel, power plant, and industrial jobsites. UniKit will be on display at the scaffolding tower exhibit and in the product hall, where Doka will showcase its core components. Two major upgrades will be revealed that will soon enhance the versatility of this universal engineering kit: A wall-mounted support that transfers up to 400 kN, even at very short distances from the ground,  and the full integration of UniKit heavy shoring with Ringlock scaffolding, enabling safe access and a secure workplace at any height.

Under One Roof

Visitors can embark on an immersive journey through a dynamic indoor exhibition shared with parent company Umdasch Group. Features include an exciting outdoor area dedicated to smart construction and the striking Ringlock scaffolding tower. Throughout the event, which runs from 7 to 13 April 2025 in Munich, more than 100 live demonstrations will bring the ‘we make it work’ theme to life.

A key highlight is the stronger-than-ever presence of the Umdasch Group. The group brings together leading brands and expertise, uniting key themes such as renovation, sustainability, and digitalisation under one roof. Visitors will experience first-hand how this holistic approach is shaping the future of construction, offering integrated solutions along the lifecycle of a building object.

Criteria for Calculating Product Carbon Footprint of Formwork and Scaffolding Established for the First Time

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Doka, one of the world’s leading suppliers of formwork and scaffolding, is once again demonstrating that it is a pioneer in sustainability by playing a key role in the development of minimum standards for calculating Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) – a milestone for the formwork and scaffolding industry and a further step down the road to decarbonising the construction sector.

 

The product carbon footprint (PCF) measures the total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by aproduct across all its relevant material life cycle phases. It is an important tool for assessing the overall climate impact of a product and identifying levers to reduce emissions in the value chain.

 

Leading by Example

“Competitiveness, sustainability and transparency are becoming increasingly intertwined, and valid data is key to sustainable decision-makings. Two years ago, we set new standards in the formwork and scaffolding industry by fully calculating the product carbon footprint of more than 7,000 Doka products. We are proud that we have now also been able to make a significant contribution to establishing minimum standards in the industry for the first time,” says Robert Hauser, CEO of Doka.

The Background

The Güteschutzverband Betonschalungen Europa e.V. (GSV), an European association of manufacturers, suppliers and users of formwork and scaffolding systems, set up a working group with the aim of developing a standard for the transparent quantification of a GSV Product Carbon Footprint (GSV-PCF-Standard) for the formwork and scaffolding sector. The agreement on minimum standards, which has now been published after less than a year, is the result of intensive cooperation. With this step, Doka and its market partners are not only setting a new standard in the industry, but are also helping to establish the transparency on GHG emissions as a standard in the value chain.

 

“We are delighted to have been able to contribute our many years of experience and our calculation methodology to the GSV joint working group. This industry-wide agreement between leading manufacturers brings us a big step closer to being able to better compare product carbon footprints, and thus to create a level playing field within the formwork and scaffolding industry,” adds Julia Weber, Head of Sustainability at Doka.

 

All PCF data for Doka formwork already complies with the GSV-PCF standard.

 

Focus on Customer Benefits

For more than two years, Doka has already been providing its customers with transparent data on the GHG emissions of its products. “When it comes to sustainability, facts count, not gut feelings,” emphasises Weber.

 

This is precisely the focus of Doka’s PCF initiative, which aims to support customers in their sustainability efforts – from more sustainable purchasing decisions and public tenders with CO2 budgets to calculating their own corporate carbon footprint (Scope 3 emissions). At the same time, the PCF is an important pillar of Doka’s sustainability strategy.

 

“We are consistently pursuing our goal of net-zero emissions by 2040, and in the long term we are striving for ever lower-emission product strategies. The data obtained from the Product Carbon Footprint is already an integral part of the innovation process at Doka,” says Weber. “After all, transparent data is the key to sustainable construction.”

 

Doka Makes Its Mark In Turkey On The Kömürhan Bridge

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Constructed over the Karakaya Dam Lake, the Kömürhan Bridge will soon forge part of the Malatya-Elazig State highway in Eastern Turkey. Measuring 600 metres in length, the bridge features a cable-stayed design with a single pylon, which stands at 165 m in height.

This special type of bridge, which is the fourth single pylon cable-stayed bridge in the world, will also serve an important regional role as a logistics corridor, not only connecting Malatya and Elazığ, but also serving as a strategic crossing for the 16 provinces of Eastern Anatolia.

Located approximately 700 kilometres east of the Turkish capital of Ankara and 400 kilometres north of the Syrian border lies the province of Malatya, a region famed for its apricots and now the tallest pylon in the country. Standing at a height of 168.5 metres, the ‘Y’ shaped reinforced concrete tower is the centrepiece of the new Kömürhan Bridge, a suspension structure traversing the Fırat River and the Malatya-Elazığ regional borders.

Stretching just over half a kilometre at 660 metres the bridge has an edge opening of 180 metres, a middle opening of 380 metres and a width of 24 metres. The deck cross-section will be orthotropic steel, while the superstructure of the bridge will be connected to the pylon with 42 tensioned cables. In context of the wider project, it is part of a 5,225 metres four-lane highway that includes a 120-metre viaduct and a 2,400 metres tunnel, providing passage to the Karakaya Dam a few kilometres to the south.

The existing old bridge and crookedly connected roads will be preserved. The new bridge and the tunnel will be developed next to the existing route. It is planned that the Kömürhan Bridge will be completed in July 2020.

Working under the joint venture of Doğuş and Gülsan, Doka Turkey was awarded the contract to design and supervise the execution of formwork, which commenced in August 2017. With the bridge scheduled to open in 2020, we spoke with project manager, Mr. Taha Özdilek, who commented on his experience with Doka Turkey.

“Safety was our main priority on this project and Doka has maintained an excellent track record where this is concerned. Most of my team were accustomed with Doka’s products and systems and knew that the solution presented, and the site support received would add much value. Our team was also familiar with Doka’s solution for a similar project (Nissibi Bridge), which was delivered in 2015 and therefore knew they would be well suited for the job.”

In terms of the practical formwork solution, the major challenge was focused on the pylon, specifically its unusual shape. Doka’s Automatic Climbing Formwork SKE 50 was used on the upper single core column of the pylon, while a specially adapted double set was used on the lower half with bespoke solutions created at junction points to maintain the highest standards of quality and safety.

Large-area formwork Top 50 was used for the pylon with Doka D2/D3 and Load-bearing Towers Staxo 100 shoring systems for the approaching viaduct. While a tower and mobile crane were used for the pylon and viaduct respectively, the formwork solution was otherwise self-sufficient and delivered its portion of the project safely, on time and on budget.

Build Safely with Safe Formwork Systems

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Reading Time: 2 minutesInvestments in safety soon deliver demonstrable benefit to every project. Greater cost-efficiency, a reduced risk of accidents and enhanced employee motivation are just some of the advantages of implementing a professional safety concept on the site. When it comes to safety, Doka takes a holistic, A-to-Z approach that runs all the way from product development to safety consulting, and to its extensive range of products and services.

Study after study has shown that on safe jobsites, people work faster. Quite apart from human suffering and loss of value-creation, accidents also cause heavy costs ranging from sick-leave to legal consequences which may even include work on the site being stopped altogether. The old objection to installing safety systems is that it “means more work”; Doka has made this objection ever less relevant by developing quick and easy-to-operate safety innovations for every type of forming assignment.

A holistic understanding of safety begins right from when formwork systems are still under development. Safety, ease of handling and ergonomic design are among the key characteristics of Doka products. The use of high-grade materials for all formwork components not only makes them last longer, it makes them safer, too.

Systematic safety
Doka systems unite speed, safety and cost effectiveness on the site. For a high standard of safety, Doka offers complete systems for floor, wall or column formwork. These come with ‘on-board’ protection features such as ladderways or working platforms with integral edge protection. Pre-assembly of the protective elements at ground level, and easy-to-use connector components that allow the formwork and platform to be repositioned in one piece, make for swift, safe work on the site.

Safe, from the planning through until completion
As early as in the planning phase, Doka supports its customers with professional consulting with safety issues. In-depth analysis of the initial situation provides the basis for individualised solutions in which suitable products are incorporated into the formwork planning right from the start. Efficient usage of formwork systems is achieved not only by the features themselves, but even more so by using their components correctly. This is why high-quality documentation such as formwork utilisation plans, instruction manuals and safety data sheets are such an important basis for a safe site. Services such as practical, relevant training offerings, Formwork Instructors and fielding technical advisers facilitate a high level of safety on-site.

New 166 m Office Tower Will Be The Second-Tallest Building In Turin

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Reading Time: 3 minutesWorld-famous Italian star architect Renzo Piano is the name behind another new urban landmark in Turin, this time a sophisticated highrise project in the city’s San Paolo district. The client is the banking group Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (BISP), whose around 100,000 staff and over 5000 branches make it one of the largest in the eurozone. The new building will fulfil very exacting structural and environmental standards. Rising to a height of 166 m, it will also take up a visually pre-eminent position in the Turin skyline. Especially with its automatic climbing equipment, Doka is helping this structure to be built economically and to high quality specifications.

A prestige project in the highrise sector: once completed, the Torre Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper in Turin will house the new headquarters of the Intesa Sanpaolo SpA banking group.

A prestige project in the highrise sector: once completed, the Torre Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper in Turin will house the new headquarters of the Intesa Sanpaolo SpA banking group.

Turin, Italy – On completion, the Torre Intesa Sanpaolo will offer more than 110,000 m² of useable floor-space spread over 44 storeys, with most of it being used to accommodate 2000 office workplaces. Other parts of the building will be put to various interesting uses for the Turinese public, including a conference and event venue, exhibition spaces, a panorama restaurant and a bar with a viewing terrace. Visitors will be whisked upwards by a free-standing panoramic lift.

To achieve high sustainability performance for the structure, the architects are implementing a ‘Green Building Challenge’ energy concept which will give the building an Energy Class A rating under Italian regulations. To this end, the eastern and western facades of the building will be enveloped in a double glass ‘skin’ with movable louvres that can assist with temperature regulation by being opened or closed as needed. Furthermore, ventilated ceilings are to be installed throughout the building. The southern facade carries 1600 m² of photovoltaic panelling for generating electricity. Geothermal heat will also be tapped, to lower the building’s external energy-sourcing needs.

Complex construction operations

Construction works have been entrusted to a consortium formed by Italian general contracting group Rizzani de Eccher SpA, acting as leader, and Implenia AG of Switzerland. On a site as large and complex as this – building the 166 m tower with three CIP concrete cores, composite floor slabs (steel girders plus pre-cast concrete members), shafts for 25 lifts, energy-saving HVAC systems – it is crucially important for the formwork systems used to be efficient, high-performing and reliable. In addition, on this site a substantial volume of structural steel works had to be optimally integrated into the construction workflow: to provide work-decks for pre-assembling the steelwork for the floor slabs, Doka supplied a large platform with a high load capacity (5.0 kN/m²). This platform was suspended on high-load cones anchored in the rising concrete wall, doing away with the need for labour-intensive and time-consuming shoring scaffolds.

Safe, streamlined climbing

To build this 44-storey office tower, it was important to deploy fast, efficient yet highly flexible formwork systems that could be quickly adapted to the changing circumstances encountered in different workflows. Another requirement was that the forming operations should need as little craneage as possible, because this had to be kept available for the extensive structural steel works. For this reason, the contracting consortium decided to construct the rising reinforced-concrete walls using the ‘SKE50 plus’ and ‘SKE100 plus’ self-climbing systems. The concrete placing booms are always raised cranelessly along with the formwork whenever this is automatically ‘climbed’. The fact that the entire unit is firmly anchored to the concrete construction at all times during the climbing operation ensures constant cycle times throughout the entire course of construction – regardless of the weather conditions: With the SKE system, climbing operations can continue unhindered up to a maximum wind speed of 72 km/h and a structure inclination of up to +/- 15 °.

Dokaflex props and formwork beams H20 were used to shore the composite floor slabs during construction. In areas with very high room heights, the slabs were shored with the Load-bearing tower Staxo 100 system. The resulting cycle time for all the operations on one storey was ten days.

Ever since work started on this site, a Doka project manager has been on hand to provide formwork-technology oversight. Ciro Menna of Doka Italia co-ordinates the planning and deliveries, and acts as the interface to all the decision-makers on the site: “Our formwork solution has proved itself with flying colours, in terms of both performance and safety, and has helped to optimise the sequencing of all site operations”, notes Menna, summing up his experience on this build.