Concrete report

The construction market in the Middle East demands the presence of every major player within the construction chemical sector and the latest advancements in products and technology.

The UAE and the Middle East host every major name among the international players in the construction chemicals industry. These companies have invested heavily in these markets to strengthen their positions.

"Such moves were attributed to a high demand for concrete in terms of volume and performance, as well as the presence of multinational design and engineering firms.

This is why the construction chemicals industry has developed innovative chemical admixtures and mortars to accommodate the hot and aggressive marine environment," says Rabih Fakih, managing director of Grey Matters, and secretary for Advances in Concrete Technology conference.

These advances have resulted in the rapid development of the construction industry. As a result, the UAE and Middle East is witnessing the latest practices in advanced concrete technology such as workability (self-consolidating concrete), pumpability (reaching up to 600m), durability (almost impermeable concrete), sustainability (more than 100 years service life) and environmental properties (use of supplementary cementitious materials). 

"Some of the latest admixtures, like nano-techology, are being used on world leading structures, including the Burj Dubai where high-performance concrete was pumped more than 610m (the highest concrete has ever been pumped in a building).

"Moreover, advances in the chemical admixtures have speeded up the construction cycle where it is noticed in the slip-forming construction and pre-cast industry. Moreover, engineers are more flexible with designing structures; taller and thinner structures are designed and extra spaces are gained," says Fakih.

Dealing with advanced technologies requires continuous awareness and education. The market has to react to fast changes by keeping its knowledge updated. Education and talent retention is a major challenge for the market to keep up with those advances.

"Technology transfer is the key. Construction chemical firms should ally at a certain stage to exchange their knowledge for the ultimate sake of construction industry rather than exclusive competition.

It is apparently noticed that current specifications for major projects do not adhere technically with those changes. Major reviews on domestic codes (if available) are to be made to accommodate for the latest technologies in the construction industry. Several codes from different nations are been implemented with no proper classifications," says Fakih.

Conmix is known in the market for ready- mix concrete and pre mix plaster and has also been manufacturing construction chemical products for more than a decade. Eventually, the demand in the market drove the company to form a dedicated division with a complete range of construction chemical products in 2004.

Conmix construction chemicals offer a wide range of products including concrete repair products, waterproofing systems, floor hardeners, epoxy and PU flooring, self levelling compounds, non-shrink grouts, joint sealants, bonding agents, tile adhesives, mould release agents, curing compounds, and concrete admixtures for the ready-mix concrete industry.

"Concrete admixtures are one of the most important constituents of the concrete mixes. These are used to enhance the properties of the concrete in plastic and hardened states, increase the efficiency of the cementitious materials and improve the economy of the concrete mixes," says Vishal Sharma, general manager, construction chemicals, Conmix.

"The use of high range water reducing and retarding additives in concrete mix is the only solution to have the right workability at the pouring point, which will finally ensure good quality of concrete in the structure that is well compacted, durable, with no cold joints," says Sharma.

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