a.b.e. Construction Chemicals has supplied large volumes of polyurea coating for the waterproofing of an expansive roof of one of the new buildings of Botswana’s massive Innovation Hub campus in Gaborone.

Noel Abendroth, a.b.e. High Performance Coatings Solutions Manager, says VIP QuickSeal PP 350, a pure polyurea that offers exceptionally high tensile strength, was applied on the 26 000m2 concrete roof of one of the buildings that form part of the “iconic symbol of Botswana's support for research and development and promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship”.

a.b.e. – part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group - holds an exclusive agreement with VIP (Voelkel Industrie Produkte) in Germany for the sale and distribution of the company’s respected range of protective coatings and joint fillers in Southern Africa. The waterproofing of the roof – that will accommodate one of the Innovation Hub’s characteristic roof gardens - was handled initially by Hiremore Civils from Botswana and later by a.b.e.’s approved applicator, Diamond Linings.

The Botswana Development Corporation’s Innovation Hub was designed by SHoP Architects of New York after winning an international competition to design the campus. The complex features a collection of long slender buildings that reach out into the open land and are covered with a concept SHoP calls an “Energy Blanket” roofscape that incorporates sustainable energy techniques. Large overhangs passively shade the buildings’ interiors while the roofs – that collect rainwater for reuse -  are covered by roof gardens with indigenous species.

Recently launched locally, VIP’s QuickSeal PP 350 is a spray-applied, instant curing flexible membrane that can be built to any thickness in one application, in virtually all environmental conditions. Very cold, very hot, or even very humid, environments do not affect curing time or physical performance of VIP QuickSeal PP350.

"VIP QuickSeal PP350 provides flexible, seamless, hard-wearing substrate protection for a wide range of substrates. Its rapid spray application and instant curing characteristics enable shorter shutdown times than traditional glue," Abendroth stated.

Among the product's features are:

                  *  Extremely fast application time;

                  *  Tack-free in seconds – it can even be walked on within minutes;

                  *   High elongation at break;

                  *   No need for protector boards during back filling; and 

                  *   High abrasion resistance and excellent thermal stability.