Gulf Construction Online - Focus on new launches

The Big 5

Alchimica’s stand at last year’s event.

Focus on new launches

01 October 2014

A REGULAR participant at The Big 5 for the past 17 years, Alchimica Building Chemicals will be returning this year with an array of new products that will help in the construction of environment-friendly buildings in the region.

The dynamic company specialises in the development and production of specialty polyurethane (PU) materials for construction and industrial applications and for more than 25 years, has successfully developed, produced and supplied innovative products worldwide.

“The potential of the Gulf market keeps bringing us back to The Big 5,” says Nikos Sakellarakis from the export sales department of the Greek company.

“This is in addition to the role of the fair as the main event for the building construction industry in the area, and our good experience at the show,” he adds.

At this year’s Big 5, Alchimica will present its new Aquasmart water-dispersion PU materials to the Gulf market. These zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) innovative materials offer high performance, comparable to several solvent-based materials available in the market, Sakellarakis says.

Also being promoted at this year’s exhibition will be the company’s polyurethane-based waterproofing and thermal insulating materials. These include:

• Thermasmart: This is a system which combines thermal insulation with waterproofing. It is suitable for buildings that do not have standard thermal insulation or where there is a need to enhance it. Alchimica has, during the past few years, developed several innovative systems under the Thermasmart range to help reduce application costs and save energy. They involve using traditional thermal insulation materials available on the global market in a new, innovative way to create eco-friendly and effective systems, says Sakellarakis.

• Hyperdesmo solar reflectance system: This waterproofing and flooring system reflects more than 82 per cent of the solar energy, which significantly reduces the internal temperature in buildings during summer.

• Aquasmart Thermo: This is a water-based, single-component fully aliphatic polyurethane insulating paint. The innovative thermal paint, which is currently being certified by a German laboratory, is an ideal material for do-it-yourself (DIY) applications as it is easy to apply, he says.

• Polyurethane foam protection: This is a Hyperdesmo system for waterproofing and protection of PU thermal insulating foam. “Waterproofing of insulation foam with Hyperdesmo prolongs its life and enhances its performance by keeping it dry during the humid and rainy seasons,” Sakellarakis points out.

Alchimica has worked on several projects in the region. In Dubai, UAE, alone it has supplied to the Al Baraha commercial and residential building for Diab Bin Halal Al Nahyan; Al Ghusais residential building; Al Khubaisi residential building for Ahmed Ali Abdulla Al Owais; Al Raffa building for Mohamed Sharif Ahmed Bukash; Al Rolla commercial and residential building; Atlantis Night Club; Masharat Al Baharna residential building for Farj bin Buti bin Saeed; Oud Metha building; Regga Al Buteen commercial and residential building; a residential and commercial building for Mohamed Bin Al Sheikh Murjin; and villas for Al Khawaneej.

Alchimica started operations in 1982 in Athens, Greece, where it has launched work this year on its own new head office building. The company is also extending its production facilities by launching its fourth factory in Greener in 2016.

Alchimica, which has several distributors in the Gulf area and elsewhere, employs approximately 100 people and registered a turnover of $37 million in 2013.

Commenting on business, Sakellarakis says the company is increasing its turnover and market share in several markets in the European, Middle East and Asian regions.

Alchimica can be visited at Stand 3 D117 at The Big 5 show.