Radcon gets green approval
01 May 2010
RADCON Formula # 7 waterproofing has recently been given a ‘green’ approval and its Australian supplier claims it is “the world’s most environment-friendly concrete waterproofing”.
Radcon was certified by Ecospecifier, which is a leading global source of sustainable development and green product information with a presence in a number of cities, including Dubai.
Ecospecifier’s aim is to help designers create a more sustainable physical environment by increasing the use of environment-friendly products, materials and design processes.
Radcon # 7 has been found to be ecologically friendly and may actually earn credits towards green building certifications such as Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Breeam (BRE Environmental Assessment Method), according to Michael Rorke, executive director of Radcrete Pacific. “To the best of our knowledge, Radcon # 7 is the only waterproofing product in the world that would achieve such points, so it is a huge bonus to developers seeking to take advantage of these programmes.”
Radcon # 7 has a sodium silicate base, which is derived from an abundant source – sand – whereas traditional waterproofing membranes are oil-based products. Ecospecifier confirms that even the production of sand mining for sodium silicate product is relatively environment-friendly, given the few emissions in that type of mining, he adds.
“Given that traditional membranes commonly have a useful life of two to 10 years, they create a lot of landfill on a global basis when they start to deteriorate and need to be replaced.
“Ecospecifier actually confirms that Radcon increases the durability of the concrete surface - this in itself adds to its environment-friendly credentials. Radcon does not even need to be recycled because it becomes part of the concrete structure,” he says.
Radcon #7 is spray applied and penetrates into the concrete and creates a gel within the cracks, pores and capillaries. It incorporates advanced biochemical technology which allows it to seal cracks up to 2 mm and reseal hairline cracks 0.3 mm that develop after treatment. It does not form a film on the surface so it cannot be damaged by traffic or environmental exposure.
“Ecospecifier also tested Radcon #7 for a range of other factors and substantiated the fact that it has no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and it is non-toxic. It is not harmful to marine life and is suitable for use with potable water tanks. Although Radcon undergoes a reaction inside the concrete, which causes it to form a ‘sub-surface membrane’, should excess material be left on top of the surface it will simply biodegrade,” he says.
Rorke continues: “With the emphasis now on green buildings in many parts of the world, it is great that consultants have a ‘green’ waterproofing product they can use.
“Most consultants just did not think they could get a ‘green’ waterproofing product – so they had beautifully-designed buildings waterproofed with bitumen and oil-based products that would have to be replaced every few years and would create massive landfill. Now they can do their waterproofing once only, knowing it will last for the life of the structure and be environment-friendly forever.”
