Gulf Construction Online - Reynaers to launch new facade system

Glass & Aluminium

Qalhat LNG headquarters.

Reynaers to launch new facade system

01 October 2009

THE Bahrain-based office of aluminium systems provider Reynaers Aluminium is gearing up to officially launch its innovative CW65 EF (element facade) system, which has been developed to meet the demand for an economical yet high-end solution for unitised facades.

“The new product will be launched in Bahrain next month (November) in an aggressive marketing campaign, and subsequently introduced to the Saudi Arabian and UAE markets, followed by similar launches in Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Oman and Egypt,” says Ali Khalaf, managing director of Reynaers Middle East.
The CW65 EF (element facade) offers the benefits of Reynaers’ highly-successful CW86 curtain-wall system in a slim profile. This has been achieved through the exhaustive efforts of Reynaers’ research and development (R&D) department, to minimise the profile material as much as possible and offer this simplified solution, he points out.
Khalaf expects the product 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.
“CW65 EF is competitive compared with standard curtain-walling systems and I believe fabricators will be eager to start using unitised systems, now that this system costs only 20 per cent more than traditional stick systems,” he continues. “I am sure by next year we will see the first projects that have been executed using this system in the region.”
The engineered 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.
The CW65 EF, which boosts Reynaers’ existing popular lines that include the CW50 stick system and the CW86 EF unitised system, is a new slim-line unitised facade system that boasts the price advantage of the CW50 and technical features of the CW86 EF. The product is offered in two standard options, which comprise the structurally-sealed solution and a glazing bead version.
Reynaers has also recently launched the CP130 sliding doors and window system, which will fill the gap between the top-of-the-range CP96 and the CP155 systems.

Ventalis
Another new product introduced by Reynaers is Ventalis, which facilitates ventilation through profiles that are fixed at the top of doors and windows. The Bahrain office can supply the system, using profiles imported from Belgium in standard lengths.
The self-regulating units (patent-pending) automatically open and close the air inlet when wind pressure increases or decreases, keeping the incoming airflow constant.
“The ventilation flap can be opened in five different positions, allowing users to easily adjust ventilation to satisfy changing requirements such as an increase in the number of people in a room. In any position, the self-regulating units keep the airflow at the desired level. The ventilation units are both insect-repellent and rainproof,” says Khalaf.
“Furthermore, by the installation of an insulation gasket on the flap and special insulation on the connection pieces, the ventilation avoids the risk of condensation,” he adds.
The system boasts the advantages of a self-regulating airflow, modular system efficiency, aesthetic appeal through its gridless design and ease of installation.

Brise Soleil
Reynaers Middle East is also promoting the company’s Brise Soleil systems, which are now offered with photovoltaic cells and designated BS30 Solar and BS100 Solar.
On account of its environment-friendliness, Khalaf is taking a proactive approach in promoting this product by supplying free samples to potential customers in a bid to convince them of the benefits afforded by the systems.
BS 100-Solar and BS 30-Solar are dedicated systems for building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) sun screening. BS 100-Solar comprises 366-mm-wide louvres integrated with 5- or 6-inch-high semi-transparent photovoltaic modules that have an integrated connection to the facade. The louvres incline automatically towards the most efficient angle or can be fixed in 15-degree increments at between zero and 90 degrees.
BS 30-Solar uses panels with sizes up to 1,000 mm by 1,500 mm in which 5- or 6-inch semi-transparent photovoltaic modules can be integrated. This system makes it possible to construct panel inclinations from 10 to 35 degrees in increments of five degrees.
These systems facilitate convenient installation of photovoltaic components and cabling, providing a high-tech ‘green energy’ solution, says Khalaf. Other innovative products on Reynaers’ drawing boards include a new casement series, which aims to address the needs of the mid-level market. Also known as an economical series, the product is expected to hit the market next year and will be backed with a 10-year warranty.

Market
Commenting on the market, Khalaf points out that generally the decision-making process has been slow and hence projects have been moving at a sluggish pace.
Reynaers is now preparing itself for the post-crisis era and is boosting its local staff strength with technical and marketing personnel.
“By the end of this year, we will have a new area manager in Egypt who will cover not only the Egyptian market but also the western and central provinces of Saudi Arabia,” he says.
As part of its marketing strategy, Reynaers is looking at splitting its market into zones to enable its sales teams to have a more focused approach.
The company is also concentrating on the buoyant Saudi Arabian market, where its project manager Jurgen Cop – who has been seconded from the Belgium headquarters – is making concerted efforts to get the Reynaers systems specified by architects.
“We penetrated the Saudi market just two years ago and already have references in both the western and eastern regions of the kingdom,” says Khalaf. “Our efforts are paying off as we are now seeing people approaching us to quote for projects.”
Khalaf stresses the importance of having aluminium systems manufacturers involved in the design stages of a project and endeavours to liaise with architects as early as possible.
“By working with specifiers from the early stages of a project, we can provide them with an exact idea of how much systems cost before the project goes to tender. Architects should know what the prices are from day one rather than go for redesign and re-evaluation of tenders,” he points out.
Reynaers is carrying out a number of curtain-walling projects in the region. In Bahrain, it has recently completed supply of systems for the 50-storey Era Tower in the Seef District and the 30-storey Era Business Tower in the Diplomatic Area for Era Properties, and for the Platinium Tower being developed by Dadabhai Group.
Other projects in Bahrain include the Bella Vista residential tower in Mahooz, the 35-storey Kingdom Tower, and the Ministry of Electricity headquarters, which are nearing completion.
The company has recently broken into the Oman market with a contract to supply the structural glazing system for Qalhat LNG’s headquarters building. Installation work is now in progress on the project.
In Qatar, it has secured the contract to supply the 12-storey Al Asmakh Tower, which is to be completed on a fast-track basis.
Elsewhere in the region, it has secured two projects in Egypt (Al Ramak Hospital and Centurion Petroleum Corporation office tower) and two others in Syria (Ghrewati Hospital and Arab European University Phase Four, having already supplied to phases Two and Three).

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