Construction World June 2017

PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTS

Right support raises the game Whether the aim is to extend workability, increase strength or enhance productivity, precast concrete manufacturers (PCMs) can look to construction chemicals leader CHRYSO Southern Africa not just for the right product, but for the necessary support to ensure an optimal solution.

According to Kabelo Sepotokele, sales manager (precast segment) at CHRYSO Southern Africa, it is the close contact with the customer and their precise needs that allows for win-win collaboration. “Working with both heavy and light precast manufacturers, we recommend a particular product only after a careful process of material diagnostics, an analysis of the individual customer’s requirements and performance, and an assessment of options to suit their application,” says Sepotokele. This allows a more holistic consideration of the value added by CHRYSO admixtures and additives, so that the benefit can be measured in terms of the cost per cubic metre of concrete used, rather than simply the cost per litre of specialised chemicals. In the heavy precast segment, for instance, producers of pipes will want to ensure they are achieving the quickest possible turnaround as this has significant cost implications on the business. The use of steam is a common method of increasing temperature and accelerating the strengthening process. Similarly in the light precast segment, curing time can be improved in brick manufacture, releasing the pallets earlier for the next batch and thereby improving productivity and lowering unit costs. Supporting the customer also means understanding how their operational environment adjusts to the seasons, says Sepotokele, in terms of concrete’s varying performance in different temperatures. “During winter, many customers will have to change their choice of cement – say, from a 42.5 to a 52.5 grade – to maintain

the required curing criteria, even though this means an increase in costs,” he says. “Alternatively, they add extra cement as they move between a ‘summer mix’ and a ‘winter mix’. We work with the customer to apply a solution that allows them to use the same type of cement, in the same quantities, to hold down costs.” In addition to the focus on the structural qualities and performance of precast concrete items, CHRYSO’s support and interventions also help customers improve the aesthetics of their products. “By analysing the customer’s materials and processes, CHRYSO Southern Africa can engineer the necessary solution to reduce these risks. In addition to this, the company also supplies a range of demoulding oils and repair products to assist in producing a blemish-free product, ” says Sepotokele. A global industry leader with research and development at its heart, CHRYSO consistently invests 3% of its sales in research activities. Its central laboratory in Sermaises, France, has about 55 researchers and CHRYSO Southern Africa has nine local laboratories. This allows the group to focus intensively on its core business of developing and improving additives and admixtures for construction materials, based on its high level expertise in polymers, formulation physico-chemistry and organic-binder interactions as well as to offer customers technical assistance when required CHRYSO Southern Africa’s footprint includes three manufacturing plants – in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town – as

CHRYSO’s support and interventions help customers improve the aesthetics of their products. The CHRYSO Dem Range of demoulding oils can play a significant role.

CHRYSO Southern Africa can select the appropriate product to reduce efflorescence.

Precast concrete manufacturers (PCMs) can look to construction chemicals leader CHRYSO Southern Africa for the necessary support to ensure an optimal solution. well as seven branches, with a staff of over 20 in sales/support and 13 in technical and research functions. 

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD JUNE 2017