Gulf Construction Online - BituNil adds IKO range to portfolio

Waterproofing

Roof of Stroud College, England ... covered with Armourplan PVC waterproofing membrane.

BituNil adds IKO range to portfolio

01 November 2011

BITUNIL, the leading manufacturer of modified bitumen membranes in Egypt, has expanded its offering of waterproofing membranes with the launch of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and TPO (thermoplastic olefin) products from IKO Single Ply on its domestic market.

This follows the recent appointment of BituNil as the exclusive distributor of IKO Single Ply in Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Mauritius.

IKO Single Ply is one of the several specialist European divisions within the IKO Group, which offers a range of polymeric single-ply roofing systems, incorporating all of the components required to deliver a complete high-performance roof waterproofing system.

“The move comes as part of BituNil’s ambitious plan to expand its product range and offer a diversity of roofing and waterproofing systems and complementary products alongside its modified bitumen membranes to accommodate different designs and projects’ needs,” says Amgad Saad, exports manager of BituNil.

BituNil now carries IKO’s PVC Armourplan line, in addition to the latest polymer technology TPE Spectraplan product range.”These systems are well known for their sleek attractive finish, rapid clean installation, design flexibility, easy repair and refurbishment, ultraviolet (UV) stability and fire-retardant properties. They are also available in light reflective colours to promote energy-efficient construction,” says Saad.

The Armourplan range offers the established advantages of PVC such as high resistance to chemicals and industrial pollutants, bacterial growth and root penetration, and the ability to retain its flexibility and physical characteristics in temperatures well below zero degrees.

The Spectraplan TPE range is based on a new generation of polymers (thermoplastic elastomers) and is 100 per cent recyclable into primary products. It can be welded in a wide range of temperatures, is environment-friendly (does not contain plasticisers, heavy metals, or ozone-depleting substances), highly elastic like EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), compatible with most construction materials including polystyrene and bitumen, and has excellent aging characteristics.

BituNil was founded in 2000 by a group of well-established Egyptian, Arab, and European firms with extensive professional and industrial business experience, and international exposure. The credibility of the founding group, including Al Zamil Group, El Banhawi Group and the Egyptian petroleum sector, set the course for BituNil’s success in the roofing industry in the Middle East.

The company’s products comprise a wide range of torchable and self-adhesive modified bitumen membranes (MBM), designed to suit most construction applications for different building types. The company’s plant is located in Alexandria and is equipped with state-of-the-art production lines for the manufacture of high-quality products, in strict compliance with internationally-recognised standards.

BituNil bituminous membranes are modified with either APP (plastomeric) or SBS (elastomeric) polymers, and are reinforced with fibreglass, non-woven polyester or composite polyester carriers. Products have different surface finish options of polyethylene or sand finish for protected applications, and mineral slate finish, offering a variety of colour options, for exposed applications.

The company produces special membranes such as root-resistant membranes for planter boxes waterproofing and green roofs as well as cold-applied self-adhesive membranes to serve particular construction applications.