Company Announcement - a.b.e. Construction Chemicals has supplied - and is still providing - waterproofing and ancillary products for several major new developments in Botswana. a.b.e., which has operations in both Boksburg and Durban, is part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group.
The company recently supplied products for the following Botswanan projects:
- Fairscape Precinct – constructed by Stefanutti Stocks (Botswana);
- FNB Head Office “First Place” – constructed by Murray & Roberts (Botswana); and
- City Scapes Phase I – constructed by Murray & Roberts (Botswana).
a.b.e products have also been specified for the following major contracts currently under construction in Gaborone, the Botswana capital:-
- Botswana Innovation Hub development (39 500 square metres of surface area);
- Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) head office development (8 500 square metres);
- City Scapes – Phase II (6 400 square metres); and
- Game City Shopping Centre extensions (22 500square metres).
Grant Batty, a.b.e. Sales Manager: Construction - Greater Gauteng, says a.b.e.’s Index VIS P polymer-bitumen membranes were selected ahead of stiff competition for the waterproofing of the completed projects, as well as major new future developments.
In addition to a.b.e.’s Index VIS P polymer-bitumen membranes, a.b.e’s VIP Polyurea waterproofing products were also introduced into Botswana for various elements on the same new contracts. With a.b.e construction Chemicals’ technical backup and support, the new Botswana orders were all secured by Material Testing Services (MTS), a.b.e.’s distributors in Botswana, and applied by a.be.-registered and approved applicators, Hiremore Civils, an MTS Group company.
“A total of over 25 000 square metres of surfaces of the completed projects were protected with a.b.e.’s waterproofing systems, using Index VIS P membrane in 3mm and 4mm thicknesses. a.b.e’s silvakote was also applied to protect large areas of the completed works. silvakote protects and waterproofs concrete, bitumen, as well as galvanised and other metal surfaces,” Batty states.
Hiremore Civils is currently applying a.b.e.’s abeplate dry-shake, metallic-aggregate surface hardener to 16 875 square metres of parking deck surfaces located under the new BURS building to provide maximum abrasion resistance and impact protection to the heavy traffic areas. “abeplate was regarded as the ideal surface hardener for this project as it provides greater wear resistance than hard, but brittle mineral aggregates such as emery or granite. The product also provides high-density, less permeable surfaces that reduce penetration by the oil and grease droppings that occur in parking decks,” Batty explains. Furthermore, as a result of MTS and Hiremore Civils’ efforts, a.b.e. products have been selected to waterproof and protect over 85 000 square metres of surface areas on several future new developments in Botswana.
Batty says the following a.b.e. products form part of the tested, proven and successfully applied a.b.e. range currently dominating the Botswanan market:
a.b.e.’s abedrain for subsoil application. This product is a dimpled high density polyethylene protection membrane that offers high resistance to chemical agents found in soil and groundwater;
- a.b.e.’s complete range of joint sealants, applied internally and externally to both decks and walls;
- a.b.e’s epoxy and cementitious grouting and repair mortar systems; and
- a.b.e’s epoxy flooring and coating systems.
“In addition, a.b.e’s duraflex is also proving extreme popular. duraflex is a ready-to-use flexible waterproofing slurry comprising special synthetic resins and a blend of selected cements and graded aggregates. It is specified for waterproofing the exterior of buildings, as well as the protection and repair of balconies, terraces, and for the launching of concrete roads and bridges. The self-curing slurry has high bond strength, resistance to abrasion and chloride penetration, and is approved for use in potable water systems,” Batty says.
“We are extremely confident that through the current strong working relationship between the Chryso Group and Botswana’s MTS Group, a.b.e’s products and systems’ market will continue to grow throughout the neighbouring country,” he adds.