Specialised construction products supplier a.b.e. Construction Chemicals Chryso Southern Africa Group has expanded its range of Germany-based industrial adhesive and coatings systems provider Voelkel Industrie Produkte’s (VIP’s) polyurea coatings to include systems for specific waterproofing applications, as well as a new concept featuring polyurea coatings factory-applied to insulation boards.

The two new versions of VIP polyurea coatings include polyurea coatings used as an insulation layer attached to special prefabricated, lightweight boards produced for a.b.e. by polyurethane products manufacturer Rigifoam. The new, unique version of Rigifoam’s popular Lamdaboards was developed by a.b.e. and Rigifoam especially for the South African market and local conditions.

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals polyurea performance coatings manager Noel Abendroth says the polyurea Lamdaboards are ideal for the roofing market and can be applied over existing roofing or as separate, independent roofing components. The thickness of the Lamdaboards’ insulation can be determined by specification and the product will be available in a standard size of 2 m by 1 m, but the dimensions can also be tailor-made, if required.

Polyurea Lamdaboards can be used over purlin, as vertical cladding, under screeds, as cavity or curtain walls, ceilings, and as ducting. The boards are moisture and water repellent, resist chemicals such as solvents used in construction adhesives, offer exceptional dimensional stability and have high compressive strength, as well as resistance to impact, punctures and corrosion. They also reduce operational heating and cooling costs and consequently provide substantial energy cost savings.

VIP polyurea can also be cold-spray-applied, using high- and low-pressure systems for specific waterproofing applications, offering elongation or flexibility capacity ranging from 240% to 650%.

Abendroth explains: “The more flexible product accommodates high movement of the particles of the membrane and would, therefore, be softer and able to offer maximum impact resistance. However, if abrasion resistance is needed, a harder product with lower elongation capacity can be better. That is why a.b.e. selects individually designed specifications for every project, taking all the criteria into account.”

Both a.b.e.’s polyurea Lamdaboards and the new cold-spray-applied waterproofing system are now available nationally.

Abendroth says there has been increasing local demand for VIP polyurea coatings since a.b.e. secured an exclusive agreement with VIP for the local distribution of the VIP range of protective coatings and joint fillers last year.

a.b.e. has since then also secured several high-profile contracts for the VIP polyurea coating range based on its “revolutionary” benefits, which include durability, superior protection, ease of application and rapid curing and turnaround times.