Gulf Construction Online - Reynaers to launch new unitised system

Cladding & Curtain-walling

An artist’s impression ... Qalhat LNG headquarters in Oman.

Reynaers to launch new unitised system

01 May 2009

IN response to the demand for an economical yet high-end solution for unitised facades, European aluminium systems manufacturer Reynaers Aluminium has developed the CW65 EF (element façade), which offers the benefits of its highly-successful CW86 curtain-wall system in a slim profile.

The product, which will be launched internationally next month (June), is expected to be highly competitive in the market, thanks to its intelligent design combined with the elimination of the cassettes and the fact that it is easier to fabricate and install, according to Ali Khalaf, managing director of the Middle East operation of Belgium-based Reynaers Aluminium.
The system allows bespoke solutions to be created for special projects using standard basic elements and draws on the benefits of existing accessories and gaskets. In addition, Reynaers can develop bespoke accessories based on the demands of specific projects, he adds.
Elaborating on the product, he says: “The CW65 EF, which boosts Reynaers’ existing popular lines that include CW50 stick system and the Reynaers CW86 EF unitised system, is a new slim line unitised façade system offered in two standard options. The product boasts the price advantage of the CW50 stick system and technical features of the traditional CW86 EF unitised system.
The standard options include the structurally-sealed solution and a glazing bead version. In the glazing bead version, the outer frame profiles are designed with a special type of monostrip that guarantees the stability of the system. The principle of the glazing bead has been optimised to simplify installation and minimise the thickness of the glazing gaskets. With the combination of the existing range of glazing beads and two new ones, glass panels ranging from 24 to 40 mm thick can be installed. The transoms are installed with an overlap onto the outer frame, based on the proven success of this principle in the CW50 for many years. This apart, cascade drainage is also offered.
“For the structurally-sealed solution, non-insulated outer frames are used. Reynaers has utilised a special bonding profile, which guarantees the best and most safe solution. In case of breakage of glass, the system allows the broken glass panel to be easily removed and re-glazed in the workshop. The transoms are mounted partly with an overlap based on the CW86 EF’s tested and proven principle. Reynaers envisages other special solutions for large panels.”
Other innovations planned by Reynaers for this year include the CP130 sliding doors and window system, which will fill the gap between the top-of-the-range CP96 and the CP155 systems.
Reynaers sees the Gulf region as an important and growing market for its products since it started operations in the region in July 2004.
Despite the global financial downturn, Reynaers is upbeat about prospects for itself in the regional and international market. Reynaers Aluminium CEO Martine Reynaers comments: “Reynaers continues to meet the global challenges with confidence that the company will still be standing strong. We continue to invest in the markets, especially in the GCC region, most parts of which remain less affected by the ongoing crisis. Not only have we increased our market presence but also increased the number of projects in many countries. Despite the current difficulties, we will invest in our personnel, through training our human resources, so that they are better equipped professionally to take on the challenges when the market recovers.”
“Our goal for 2009 is to provide the best services to our clients throughout the world,” she adds.
Bahrain-based Reynaers Middle East has been gaining more ground in the region, having intensified its sales efforts in Saudi Arabia and broken into the Oman market with a contract to supply the structural glazing system for Qalhat LNG’s headquarters building. Its authorised fabricator in Oman, Airmech Oman will be responsible for fabricating the system for the building.
“For the project, we have already fixed the mock-up sample, which the client ordered directly from Belgium. We also sent our technical manager to ensure that the system was installed in accordance with Reynaers standards,” Khalaf says.
The company is currently focusing on the buoyant Saudi Arabian market where its fabricator in Dammam (Advanced Nafco) has just signed up to supply 8,000 sq m of CW50 curtain-walling for the Bamarouf commercial office building in Jeddah. This apart, Reynaers is also working closely with its clients by providing the required technical support on a few other projects ranging from airports to commercial buildings that are in the design stage.
“We will be visiting the kingdom more frequently and Jurgen Cop – our project manager who has been seconded from the Belgium headquarters – is making concerted efforts to get the Reynaers systems specified by architects. We are also in the process of signing up with a new fabricator in Jeddah, while negotiations are under way with a fabricator in Riyadh,” he says.
Reynaers is carrying out a number of curtain-walling projects in the region. In Bahrain, these include the 50-storey Era Tower in the Seef District and the Diplomat Tower for Era Properties, and the Platinium Tower for the Dadabhai Group.
Era Tower is expected to be the tallest residential building in the country and calls for the supply of 25,000 sq m of curtain-walling.
“Construction work on the project is currently at the 12th-floor level and we expect to start delivery of our CW50 system in the next few weeks,” says Khalaf. Ashbee is the fabricator of the aluminium system.
Diplomat Tower, an office building in the Diplomatic Area, requires 4,500 sq m of Reynaers systems which is again being fabricated by Ashbee.
Another major win for Reynaers is the 29-storey Platinium Tower, also in the Seef District, which is currently at the 11th-floor level. Reynaers is assisting the fabricator to prepare the technical specifications and shop drawings for the 13,000-sq-m order for the tower. The aluminium fabricator is Abdul Aziz Aluminium.
Other projects in Bahrain include the Bella Vista residential tower in Mahooz, the Ministry of Electricity headquarters, and the 35-storey Kingdom Tower, Sitra and Najma clubs, Al Jowhara Centre and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI-MUB) and a 23-storey residential building in Juffair.
In Kuwait, Reynaers systems have been supplied for the Lulwah Tower, the Behbehani Tower, Salmiya Hotel and other prestigious projects.
Following the successful completion of the Sports City-Qatar tower (Aspire Tower) in time for the Asian Games in Qatar two years ago, the company’s aluminium systems are being used for the equally challenging Ferrari World Theme Park in Abu Dhabi. The CW86 was used both in the Sports City and the Ferrari theme park.
As with the Sports City tower, the Abu Dhabi project is to be implemented on a fast-track basis and requires bespoke solutions. Apart from the Ferrari theme park, Reynaers has completed delivery of systems for the Etihad Terminal in Abu Dhabi, and landmark buildings such as the Ritz Carlton hotel, Executive Heights for Damac and Bayside Residence at Dubai Marina. All these prestigious projects have been done by its partner Folcra Beach, which is based in Abu Dhabi.
Commenting on trends in the industry, Khalaf says the market is moving towards the more traditional styles of curtain-walls, in which the aluminium profiles are visible on the outside.
“While a few years ago, the demand was to avoid aluminium on the exterior façade, today architects want the traditional curtain-walls,” he says. “Also bigger sections, such as the 60 mm and 70 mm sections are now in demand, with the aluminium exposed.”
Khalaf also points out that architects are showing a leaning towards curves and slopes, which has required aluminium systems manufacturers worldwide, including Reynaers, to devise solutions for the more complex connections of today’s market.