Germany-based industrial adhesives and coatings manufacturer Voelkel Industrie Produkte’s (VIP’s) new cold spray-applied low-pressure waterproofing system and a VIP coating system, specifically developed for industrial and commercial floor- ing in Southern Africa, is to be launched later this year by construction-related products supplier a.b.e. Construction Chemicals.

This is in addition to three VIP Polyurea products that were introduced to the South African market in July. These products include VIP Quick Spray Supreme for extreme conditions such as chemical environments, VIP Quick Spray Industrial for more general applications and VIP Quick Spray Eco, an economical hybrid version of polyurethane formulations containing less than 80% hydrol polyols and less than 80% amine or polyetheramines.

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with VIP in June to market the range of polyurea protective coatings and joint fillers in Southern Africa.

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals polyurea performance coatings division manager Noel Abendroth asserts that VIP coatings, which are produced in Munich, Germany, have been internationally hailed as a “new revolution in coating technology” and have set new benchmarks in terms of durability, protection, ease of application and turnaround times.

“VIP’s two-part polymers cure in seconds to form a seamless, rubberlike skin, which is highly resistant to impact, punctures, cor-rosion, chemicals attack and abrasion,” he explains, adding that VIP’s high-performance coating systems have been successfully used on a range of structures overseas and com-plement the existing range of a.b.e.’s concrete repair systems.

Further, he highlights that VIP protective membranes do not contain any volatile organic compounds and solvents, and “repre-sent a significant advance over polyurethane and epoxy technology”.

VIP Quick Spray is applied to concrete, metal, foam or other surfaces, using mobile VIP-approved applicators and advanced application equipment. Within seconds, it will not only resist punc-tures but will also resist heat distortion and sagging, maintaining its flexibility and shape. It is also not affected by moisture and fluctuations in temperature and has high elongation and superior tensile strength. This means there is little or no downtime during repairs or while applying the coatings – even outdoors during adverse weather.

Abendroth says these coatings are ideal for applications in the chemicals and food and beverage industries.

“The VIP systems are generally designed to last about 25 years, depending on the nature of the project, which substantially cuts the costs of repairs and maintenance,” he explains.

Some of the advantages of the new systems, Abendroth highlights, are their fast reaction and curing times of 5 to 90 seconds, exceptional adhesion to correctly prepared concrete, steel, aluminium, plastics, fibreglass, wood and foam, as well as their seamless and jointless flexible coatings.

Moreover, he enthuses that the VIP systems can transgress multiple substrates in one appli- cation and can be applied to any thickness in a single application.

The VIP systems also maintain flexibility and crack-bridging properties at temperatures of –20 °C to 120 °C.

“VIP systems further possess sound insula-tion, are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, salt-water and aggressive atmospheric conditions, and can quickly cover large areas,” adds a.b.e. Construction Chemicals technical ser- vices GM Mike Armstrong.

Abendroth says the basic colour range, which will be stocked by the company, includes cream, sky blue, sand, grey and black, with custom-made colours available on request.

Pack sizes ranging from 20 kg to 200 kg will be stocked, which will enable the company to immediately provide the product for most projects, he says.