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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
JUNE
2017
PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTS
According to Kabelo Sepotokele, sales
manager (precast segment) at CHRYSO
Southern Africa, it is the close contact with
the customer and their precise needs that
allows for win-win collaboration.
“Working with both heavy and light
precast manufacturers, we recommend
a particular product only after a careful
process of material diagnostics, an
analysis of the individual customer’s
requirements and performance, and
an assessment of options to suit their
application,” says Sepotokele.
This allows a more holistic consideration
of the value added by CHRYSO admixtures
and additives, so that the benefit can be
measured in terms of the cost per cubic
metre of concrete used, rather than simply
the cost per litre of specialised chemicals.
In the heavy precast segment, for
instance, producers of pipes will want to
ensure they are achieving the quickest
possible turnaround as this has significant
cost implications on the business. The
use of steam is a common method of
increasing temperature and accelerating the
strengthening process.
Similarly in the light precast segment,
curing time can be improved in brick
manufacture, releasing the pallets earlier
for the next batch and thereby improving
productivity and lowering unit costs.
Supporting the customer also means
understanding how their operational
environment adjusts to the seasons, says
Sepotokele, in terms of concrete’s varying
performance in different temperatures.
“During winter, many customers will have
to change their choice of cement – say,
from a 42.5 to a 52.5 grade – to maintain
the required curing criteria, even though
this means an increase in costs,” he says.
“Alternatively, they add extra cement as they
move between a ‘summer mix’ and a ‘winter
mix’. We work with the customer to apply a
solution that allows them to use the same
type of cement, in the same quantities, to
hold down costs.”
In addition to the focus on the structural
qualities and performance of precast
concrete items, CHRYSO’s support and
interventions also help customers improve
the aesthetics of their products.
“By analysing the customer’s materials
and processes, CHRYSO Southern Africa
can engineer the necessary solution to
reduce these risks. In addition to this,
the company also supplies a range of
demoulding oils and repair products to
assist in producing a blemish-free product, ”
says Sepotokele.
A global industry leader with research
and development at its heart, CHRYSO
consistently invests 3% of its sales in
research activities. Its central laboratory
in Sermaises, France, has about 55
researchers and CHRYSO Southern Africa
has nine local laboratories.
This allows the group to focus
intensively on its core business of
developing and improving additives and
admixtures for construction materials,
based on its high level expertise in
polymers, formulation physico-chemistry
and organic-binder interactions as well as
to offer customers technical assistance
when required
CHRYSO Southern Africa’s footprint
includes three manufacturing plants – in
Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town – as
Precast concrete manufacturers (PCMs)
can look to construction chemicals leader
CHRYSO Southern Africa for the necessary
support to ensure an optimal solution.
Right support raises the game
Whether the aim is to extend workability, increase strength or enhance
productivity, precast concrete manufacturers (PCMs) can look to construction
chemicals leader CHRYSO Southern Africa not just for the right product, but
for the necessary support to ensure an optimal solution.
well as seven branches, with a staff of over
20 in sales/support and 13 in technical and
research functions.
CHRYSO’s support and interventions help
customers improve the aesthetics of their
products. The CHRYSO Dem Range of
demoulding oils can play a significant role.
CHRYSO Southern Africa can select the
appropriate product to reduce efflorescence.