Krystol Magazine 12.1 - bit.ly/Krystol_Magazine_12-1

Krystol® Magazine �

Kryst l®

Leaders in Integral Crystalline Waterproofingwww.kryton.comMagazine

Summer 2009 | Volume 12 | Issue 1

3096602

10 Reasons to Choose...KIM® Admixtureover Waterproofing Membrane Systems

Waterproofing Tanked Structures

PLUS:ACI Challenges Misconceptions

Optimum Performance Home

Kryton in the Middle EastKryton in the Middle East

Cover Photographer: Muneera Alobaidli

®

� www.kryton.com

®

At the Lab. In the Field. By Your Side.

YOU WORK HARD FOR EVERY YARD

Make each one count with the award winning KIM® admixture for waterproof concrete. Kryton introduced integral waterproofing admixture technology, was the first to provide it in mixer-ready bags and the only manufacturer to offer certified training in quality control and product sales.

Get KIM®-Certified now and:

Double your profit

Tap into the multi-billion dollar waterproofing market

Bid with confidence and support direct from the manufacturer

Visit www.kryton.com/makeitcount today!

www.kryton.com/makeitcount

Make every yard count!Get KIM®-Certified Today!Make every yard count!Get KIM®-Certified Today!


Contents Summer 2009

10 Reasons to Choose...KIM® Admixture overWaterproofing Membrane Systems .................................

Commercial, Industrial and Residential Uses .................

Optimum Performance Home ..........................................

What is NSF? .......................................................................

ACI Challenges Misconceptions .......................................

Waterproofing Tanked Structures ....................................

Kryton in the Middle East .................................................

Krystol® Magazine is printed twice a year by The Kryton Group of Companies1645 East Kent AvenueVancouver, BC V5P 2S8Canadawww.kryton.com

For information about this publication or about The Kryton Group of Companies, write to the above address, phone (604) 324-8280 or 1-800-267-8280, or email [email protected]

Copyright © 2009 Kryton International Inc. All rights reserved.

Editors/ContributorsLeo ConnellKaren NgDanielle PrestonSheila CalderLinda MunroJudith Walker

Design/ProductionYvonne LeeLulu Zhou

Cover Photo: Islamic Cultural Center

Printed in Canada by Wayside Printers

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A magnified view of Krystol® growth on a concrete surface

Optimum Performance HomeSW-COC-002234

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Concrete is a porous material which has the ability to absorb water and water-borne contaminants. Leaving the concrete exposed to the elements causes deterioration, and reduces the durability and lifetime of the structure.

So, to protect your concrete structure and ensure it has a long, serviceable life, you have to waterproof it. The question is how?

There are two main ways to classify waterproofing systems based on their application method: surface applied systems (i.e. coatings, sheet membranes, expanding clays) and integral systems (from within the concrete itself). Although advancements have been made in surface applied systems such as sheet membranes, the failures and limitations of these systems are still all too common and costly.

It’s becoming clear to many leaders involved in the construction industry that waterproofing concrete from the inside out is the best choice. Commonly called integral systems, these are densifiers, water repellents and reactive/crystalline products that are added to new concrete at the batching plant or on-site and react chemically within the concrete.

Some integral systems simply increase the density of the concrete or increase its ability to repel water. These admixtures only “dampproof” the concrete, rather than waterproof it. But resisting liquid under hydrostatic pressure calls for a crystalline admixture made up of a distinctive blend of cementitious and proprietary chemicals – specially formulated by Kryton.

Kryton’s KIM® – Krystol Internal MembraneTM – actually uses available water in a chemical reaction within the concrete to form crystals until all pores are blocked and no water can penetrate the concrete.

Crystalline waterproofing reacts with water and cement hydration by-products to grow water-blocking crystals

Corrosive chemicals in the soil can cause permanent damage to membranes system, leaving structures vulnerable to water problems

10 Reasons to Choose...

KIM® AdmixtureoverWaterproofing Membrane Systems


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Saving Money, Saving Stress

Krystol Internal MembraneTM (KIM®) will save you both money and stress – at the construction site and over the lifetime of your concrete.

Using KIM will save you money.

KIM lowers the cost of waterproofing by up to 40 per cent. It eliminates the cost of labour and materials typically associated with traditional membranes. A permanent waterproofing solution, KIM lowers replacement and maintenance costs. It self-seals minor cracks and allows for easy negative-side repairs so you don’t have to dig to reach and access positive-side membrane damage.

Using KIM will save you stress.

KIM combines the waterproofing step with concrete placement. This streamlines processes, lightens workloads and alleviates typical construction concerns. It reduces the potential for human error by being mixed directly into the concrete. It eliminates worries of insufficient seam coverage, poor surface preparation and inadequate adhesion inherent in traditional membrane application.

KIM offers increased reliability, quality control and, above all, peace of mind.

KIM is available in dissolvable bags for easy and environmentally friendly addition to the concrete mix

Here are 10 reasons why Kryton’s KIM admixture should be your number one choice:

KIM eliminates the complications of blind-sided waterproofing applications. KIM works within the concrete matrix so you do not have to over-excavate for membrane placement or risk membrane debonding from opposite-side water pressure.

Membranes are usually inaccessible for repairs after installation, but KIM-treated concrete contains chemicals that lie dormant within the concrete structure. If a crack forms, the influx of water causes more crystals to grow, re-blocking the passage against water and water-borne contaminants.

Using the KIM admixture system speeds up the construction schedule and decreases labour costs. KIM combines the waterproofing step with the placing of concrete which means there is no labour-intensive, costly and time-consuming surface preparation, installation, sealing and protecting.

KIM will decrease your maintenance costs and increase the durability of your building. Because the crystals grow throughout the concrete, the waterproofing is impervious to physical damage and deterioration. It is permanent.

Placing KIM-treated concrete is as easy as placing regular concrete. Unlike installing membranes - which calls for careful finishing, temperature control, clean and dry concrete, and dependable surface adhesion - good quality placing, finishing and curing are all that is needed.

Avoid costly application mistakes. Even the simplest membrane systems require some level of skilled application…and even the most dedicated tradesperson can make mistakes when it comes to applying them. KIM is not subject to stringent workmanship requirements. In fact, it requires no application labour at all.

� www.kryton.com

KIM treated concrete lasts, unlike membranes, which are at their best the day they are applied. It will not debond or wear away. In fact, in the presence of moisture, KIM concrete becomes stronger over time, protecting reinforcing steel from corrosion and preventing spalling, cracking and deterioration.

KIM concrete is great for complex architectural designs. Without concern for the limitations of membrane application, you are free to be creative - unencumbered by traditional limitations of curved surfaces, corners and concrete finishing.

KIM admixture requires no surface preparation. It does not require adhesives or smooth surfaces and can be placed in damp/wet conditions. In fact, a saturated surface is one of the few preparation requirements of the surface applied system.

And the number 10 reason to use Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM)? It’s a green solution! Not only is it best for your job site, it’s best for the earth.

KIM-treated concrete is environmentally friendly and sustainable, unlike membranes that are made from petroleum or other environmentally harmful materials. KIM concrete is LEED friendly, contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and when the time comes for demolition, KIM concrete can be completely recycled.

For more information about KIM and the difference between KIM and other types of integral systems, visit Kryton’s web site at www.kryton.com or talk to a Kryton representative. We are “by your side” to assist in your specification.

Many integral waterproofing systems do one of two things: (1) increase the density of the concrete (decrease the pore size), or (2) increase the hydrophobicity of the concrete (repel water). Those that increase the density of the concrete are usually called densifiers and are materials such as pozzolans (finely divided silicates) or other fine particle materials. The mixtures that increase the hydrophobicity of the concrete are usually stearates or other long-chain fatty acid derivatives which repel water.

A third, unique type of integral waterproofing system is Kryton’s Krystol technology. Krystol products are hydrophilic, meaning available water is consumed in the cement hydration process to form insoluble crystals that block concrete pores so water can no longer penetrate. The crystals are integrated into the hydrated cement gel to restrict pore continuity, blocking the passage of water through the concrete structure.

The crystalline nature of this integral waterproofing system allows for the concrete structure to self-seal hairline cracks up to 0.5 mm (0.02 in), resist hydrostatic pressure more than 140m (460 ft) water column of head pressure and penetrate deep into, often throughout, concrete structures. This unique ability makes the system highly versatile, useful and reliable for a wide variety of applications.

Not All Integral Waterproofing Systems Are The Same

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The reliability of external membranes depends on the skill and care of the membrane applicator

KIM combines the waterproofing step with concrete placement; saving time and money


Commercial

Underground parking structures, foundations, elevator pits, condominiums and office towers

Recreational facilities such as aquatic centres, aquariums, zoos, water parks and marinas

Architectural water features like fountains and waterfalls

Industrial

Water containment reservoirs and water treatment tanks, sewerage and manholes

Traffic tunnels, below-ground pipelines and subway tunnels

Bridges, dams and highway infrastructure

Residential

Concrete homes, basements, foundations and exteriors

Swimming pools, decks, bathrooms and garages

KIM’s innovative technology raises the waterproofing bar.

Commercial, Industrial and Residential Uses

KIM can be added directly to the concrete mix providing a green solution for any job site

Kryton’s Krystol concrete waterproofing technology includes the KIM® admixture for new construction, a compatible Krystol® waterstop system for construction joints and the Krystol® surface applied and crack repair systems for existing concrete structures. Krystol has been used in hundreds of projects around the world – with outstanding results.

� www.kryton.com

In the past few years, green has become a mainstream phenomenon. High profile politicians, celebrities and advocates have jumped on board the green bandwagon, touting the benefits of eco-sensitive products and practices. Legislation has passed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and people are working together to reduce our collective footprint.

It’s reported that 35 million Americans now purchase eco-friendly products instead of the traditional alternatives. While consumer awareness on sustainability issues has advanced significantly over recent years, the green movement planted its roots decades ago.

Many people believe the movement was launched with Rachel Carson’s 1962 legendary book Silent Spring, which focused on the effects of pesticides on the environment. Others trace the beginnings of the movement to intellectuals from the 1800s, such as transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau, who is renowned for his calls to action for conservation of and respect for nature.

In the construction industry, green steps were being taken as early as the mid-to-late 1800s. One of the first notable sustainable building architects was Alexander “Greek” Thomson (1817-1875). Thomson is credited with introducing key aspects of sustainable housing to the industry, from glazing streets to retain heat to improving ventilation through simple building techniques.

In the 21st century, the bar was raised with the development of an entire green community. The Sea Ranch, a 43-year-old development in Sonoma County, California, has been and continues to be celebrated worldwide for placing environmental awareness and preservation at the forefront of design and construction.

Though the ranch existed in many different forms from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, it wasn’t until 1963 that architects and planners began to transform it into an eco-mecca. Architect and planner Al Boeke wanted to create a community that complemented and respected the environment. His vision was so compelling that a number of environmental experts joined his team, helping to create the world’s leading eco-community.

The team started by reintroducing a wildlife refuge, native grasses and wildflowers, as well as taking steps to reduce the effects of erosion by planting thousands of trees. In addition, they conducted studies on the area’s soils, plants, animals and climate. With this information, they developed a community master plan with strict construction guidelines to ensure homes would be built to minimize their physical and aesthetic impact on the environment.

Totalling 5,200 acres, the Sea Ranch is composed of 2,310 individual building sites, 1,500 acres of forest preserve, 40 miles of private roads and common, open space. In 1988, the last of all the individual sites was sold. Since then, the community has begun to expand to accommodate the demand for ownership.

The famed community approaches a new milestone this year with the completion of the Optimum Performance Home® - an innovative type of home that embraces the Sea Ranch principles.

Conceived and owned by Californian Gary Reber, the Optimum Performance Home is a showcase project that integrates universal

Optimum Performance Home

The final slab under construction at the Optimum Performance Home


design with eco-friendly, sustainable building methods and materials. No other residential development combines so many diverse, progressive ideas and technologies. It was the first of two custom homes to qualify for the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes pilot program in California.

The three-building, 4,500 square foot compound was designed to be a Zero Energy Home. It will include solar panels on the roof for electricity and hot water. It will also adopt net metering to pull power from the electrical grid when needed while also pushing and selling excess energy back to the electric company, resulting in an annual net energy cost of zero dollars.

The Optimum Performance Home will use water efficiency techniques, natural light, indigenous vegetation and recycled materials. In the end, the home will exceed California’s building code requirements and will achieve platinum-level LEED certification. The home is an outstanding example of the ever-evolving green movement.

Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean posed a unique construction challenge for Reber and his team. Naturally-occurring sub-grade water overly saturates clay soil in the area. The construction team needed to ensure water remained outside the building envelope while also abiding to the strictest environmental

Artist’s rendering of the Optimum Performance Home

Did You Know?

Optimum Performance Home owner Gary Reber wanted to design a space that would allow him and his wife to age in their home without having to move or relocate to a seniors’ facility. Known as “universal design”, the concept is to build homes without physical barriers that could limit the movement of people of all ages and capabilities.

Upon completion, the Optimum Performance Home will incorporate dozens of universal design elements.

From designing the home to provide one-storey living with only the guest bedrooms on the second floor, to eliminating step entrances into and around the home, the space is a showpiece for aging-in-place. It will use non-slip surfaces on all flooring and include handrails on both sides of the staircases. The stairs leading to the guest bedroom will be wide enough to fit an electric chairlift and provisions have been taken to accommodate an elevator. The kitchen will be built with various adjustable surfaces, push button controls and sliding drawers.

Finally, lighting throughout the home is being designed to assist people with poor vision.

For a full list of the Optimum Performance Home’s universal design elements, visit www.ultimatehomedesign.com.

standards for residential construction. To accomplish this goal, the team turned to Kryton International Inc.

Kryton’s concrete waterproofing admixture, Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM), was selected for its environmental attributes and waterproofing ability. KIM is a chemical admixture in dry powdered form that is part of Kryton’s Integral Crystalline Waterproofing System. When combined with water and unhydrated cement particles, it reacts to form millions of needle-like crystals. These crystals grow and fill the naturally occurring pores and cracks in concrete, providing permanent waterproof protection. Using KIM eliminates the need to use conventional waterproofing membranes by protecting the concrete from the inside out.

KIM is touted in the industry for its environmental properties. It is non-toxic, non-flammable and odorless. Unlike surface-applied membrane waterproofing systems, KIM becomes part of the concrete matrix. This means that the concrete can be recycled for future use. KIM is also available in pulpable bags, which assists in minimizing construction waste.

In contrast, many traditional external membranes are petroleum-based. They use adhesives with highly volatile organic compounds. The vapour from these compounds can cause respiratory problems and contribute to “sick building syndrome”.

Oil can also leach out and contaminate ground water. (continues on page 10)

�0 www.kryton.com

A. Who sang “It’s not easy being green”?1. Frank Sinatra 2. Diana Ross 3. Kermit the Frog 4. All of the above

B. The word “green” is closely related to the Old English word “growan”. This translates to:

1. nature 2. money 3. grow 4. life

C. Which country’s currency has green colouring in some or all of its bills?

1. Russia 2. Canada 3. United States 4. All of the above

D. The green movement began in the US as a result of:

1. Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth”2. the Industrial Revolution3. Woodstock4. the assassination of John Lennon

E. Which musician/group has won the most Grammy awards?

1. Green Day, rock band2. Al Green, Gospel singer 3. Douglas Green, musician 4. Adolph Green, lyricist

F. What is green concrete?

1. Concrete that has set but not hardened 2. Concrete that has been made out of recycled alternative materials 3. Concrete that has been treated with a tinted green waterproofing agent 4. Both answers 1 and 2

All Things Green– Test Your Knowledge

Founded in 1944, NSF International is a non-profit organization leader in developing national standards, product certification and education for public health and safety. It is also widely recognized for its scientific and technical expertise in health and environmental discipline. With its head office located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, NSF operates with state of the art testing facilities and accredited laboratories worldwide. NSF audit staff conducts more than 30,000 inspections in more than 80 countries every year [1].

NSF offers certification programs that benefit regulators, consumers and manufacturers. The two former groups can be assured that a credible, objective and independent party endorsed by public health officials has tested and verified that products comply with specific standards set out by the NSF Committee.

Manufacturers who participate in the NSF Certification program agree to rigorous testing, annual retesting, inspections and audits. Participation and test success demonstrates the manufacturers’ competence to produce products that perform according to recognized standards. These standards specify the requirements and include criteria relating to material, design, construction and performance [2].

Since 2001, Kryton International Inc.’s line of Krystol® products has achieved certification to NSF/ANSI Std. 61: “Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects”.

The NSF test report contains data that compares several properties of Krystol Internal Membrane™ (KIM®), Krystol T1/T2® and the Krystol® Waterstop System to specifications as set out by this standard. These specifications determine whether products are suitable and safe for use in potable water applications. Primarily, Krystol-treated samples are tested for presence of heavy metals and organic chemicals that may be a concern to public health at certain dosage levels.

The report makes the following important conclusions:

1. Krystol products do NOT contain dangerous levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, lead or mercury.

2. Krystol products do satisfy the criteria of NSF/ANSI Std. 61.

3. Krystol products are suitable for contact with potable water.

To maintain NSF approval, Kryton must undergo re-certification each year. Inclusion on the Official Listing confirms that Krystol products are safe for use in potable water structures such as water reservoirs, concrete rain water collection structures, fish ponds and recreational facilities.-----------------------------------------------------------[1] http://www.nsf.org/international/about_nsf.asp

[2] http://www.brita-water-filters.com/faq/what-does-nsf-certification-mean.htm

(continued from page 9)

Three concrete mixes have been created to date for the Optimum Performance Home: a specifically engineered Controlled Density Fill (CDF), a standard foundation footing and mix for the Amciv ICF’s, as well as a slab-on-grade. KIM has been used in every mix except for the engineered CDF.

While KIM is only one part of an extensive waterproofing system, it helped to solve a design and environmental challenge. It is now part of a legendary community with a green history spanning more than four decades. More importantly, it is part of a new type of home that will change the face of green development and building practices across the globe well into the future.

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Krystol® Magazine ��

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is tackling concrete’s reputation as environmentally unfriendly head on. It has signed a memorandum with other concrete organizations aimed at aligning the industry’s sustainable development activities.

Concrete is one of the most sustainable building materials available, states Kari Yuers, CEO of Kryton and a member of the ACI Board of Directors. “What could be more sustainable than having things that work and last?” Yuers says.

Yuers and the other board members are working to increase the understanding of sustainability issues among ACI members and improve the public perception of concrete.

Since the days of Roman civilization, concrete has been the building material of choice because of its strength and durability.

But it’s also renewable and recyclable. It can easily be recycled and reused as the base material for roads, sidewalks and concrete slabs, which saves manufacturing and trucking new materials. It doesn’t rust, rot, burn or decay, which is why we can still see Roman structures from more than 2,000 years ago. Concrete’s versatility allows it to be used in any design, from big box retail centres to elegant building spires. And concrete is a huge help when you’re trying to reduce energy use. Buildings with exterior concrete walls use less energy to heat and cool.

Concrete gets its “bad rap” from its association with cement, the primary building block for making concrete. Manufacturing cement is energy intensive, calling for finely ground limestone, clay and sand to be heated and rotated in a kiln to temperatures reaching 1,450°C.

Promoting concrete’s sustainability has become a primary goal for the ACI. It has earmarked resources to support

sustainability issues, enhanced content about sustainability in its documents and products, and entered into an understanding with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, the National Concrete Masonry Association, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, and the Portland Cement Association (PCA) to provide advocacy, technology and educational resources to convey the social and sustainable value of concrete structures.

The memorandum of understanding signed by these organizations recognizes concrete structures’ social values, including resource efficiency, safety and protection, financial responsibility, operational continuity, long-term durability, aesthetics, reduced production of byproducts and societal connectivity.

“I see environmental sustainability improving in our industry and as awareness grows it’s only going to get better,” says Yuers.

Kryton’s President and CEO Kari Yuers

ACI Challenges MisconceptionsConcrete’s reputation as not sustainable based on confusion, not fact.

CEO COLUMN

�� www.kryton.com

In communities all over the world, concrete tanks store drinking water, wastewater before and during treatment and reclaimed water. Without reliable, waterproofed concrete, the tanks that hold the water can become a massive health hazard.

Lasting environmental problems can result if wastewater leaking from treatment plants contaminates the surrounding soil. But lasting health problems, or even death, can result if contaminants leak into a community’s drinking water storage tank. That is why the choice of waterproofing method is critical to communities large and small.

In the past, concrete tanked structures were often waterproofed using external membrane systems – polymeric sheets or liquid-applied coatings installed on the exterior of set concrete.

However, membranes are labour-intensive and time-consuming to install.

Sheet membranes can be punctured and torn during backfilling operations. Membranes are often applied with adhesives containing volatile organic compounds and membrane materials are often made from petroleum, an unsustainable and environmentally-unfriendly resource. Finally, membranes eventually deteriorate, leaving structures unprotected. Repair is difficult and expensive, and leaks often go undetected in underground tanks until the damage is done.

Kryton’s Krystol Concrete Waterproofing System is a safer and more cost-effective solution. Krystol blocks water penetration through a chemical reaction that causes needle-like crystals to grow within the concrete. It halts the spread of waterborne contaminants, protects steel reinforcements from corrosion and safeguards the purity of potable water. Certified non-toxic by NSF International, Krystol is safe for use in all facilities where potable water is stored.

Two large communities recently chose Kryton products to ensure their water storage was safe and secure.

An Underground Cistern in California

Based in Los Angeles, California, TreePeople is a non-profit, community-based environmental organization that addresses urban ecosystem issues focusing on tree caring and planting, general environmental education and water conservation.

The TreePeople Center for Community Forestry is an environmental education campus that opened in October 2008. Located in California’s Coldwater Canyon Park, the centre spans 1.6 ha (4 acres), cost $10 million and is designed to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating.

A critical aspect of the centre is an underground concrete cistern that stores up to 818,000 L (216,000 gal) of rainwater from the roof and parking lot. Once filtered, the water irrigates the centre’s gardens and forests. Capturing the runoff rainwater reduces flooding risk, the amount of pollutants entering storm drains and the need for imported water. It also acts as an emergency water supply for the local fire department.

The cistern is the largest of its kind in the United States—21 m (70 ft) in diameter and 4.5 m (15 ft) deep—and is covered with landscaping and an elaborate labyrinth. When the centre and cistern were first under construction, the project team recognized maintenance and repairs on the cistern would be almost impossible. If cracking or leaking occurred, the organization would face a major disruption to daily activities and debilitating costs. The team needed a permanent waterproofing solution for the cistern upfront.

“With extensive landscaping planned for the surface above the cistern, access for maintenance and repairs will be virtually impossible,” explains Tim Yeiser

The TreePeople cistern is the largest of its kind in the United States — 21 m (70 ft) in diameter and 4.5 m (15 ft) deep

Waterproofing Containment Tanks


of Epicenter Sales, Kryton’s Los Angeles distributor. “Recognizing the limited lifespan of conventional external waterproofing membrane systems, the Center’s architects and designers needed a more permanent alternative.”

After a great deal of research, they selected Kryton’s Krystol Internal Membrane™ (KIM) and the Krystol™ Waterstop Joint Design. By eliminating risks of costly repairs and maintenance, this complete system provided worry-free waterproofing for the life of the cistern.

Containing wastewater in Singapore

Singapore is currently working toward becoming self-sufficient in the production of fresh water and also reducing the quantity of water it must import. The Seletar Water Reclamation Plant, part of a network of water treatment plants in Singapore and a key component in the country’s long-range water plans, processes nearly 250,000 cubic metres of wastewater per day from the city’s sewers. Using reverse osmosis and conventional water treatment, the plant now produces high-quality water that is used as drinking water.

Recently, the plant added a post-tensioned concrete containment tank to hold recycled water. The post-tensioning construction

method incorporates steel strands that run throughout the concrete slab. While this reduces cracking and enables slabs to bear more weight, it requires additional waterproofing to prevent corrosion and deterioration of steel cables.

Not only did all construction materials need to be non-toxic, but a tight construction timeline provided just 30 hours for each section of the tank to be poured and set.

Seletar’s project architect specified a crystalline waterproofing admixture for the project. The project team used Kryton’s KIM admixture system because it provided superior waterproofing, corrosion protection and was certified by NSF International to be safe for contact with potable water.

More than 400 cubic metres of KIM concrete was used in the Seletar water tank. By eliminating the time and costs associated with installing conventional membranes, KIM enabled the builders to meet their tight construction timeframe and financial obligations.

Investing the time to research, compare and select the best waterproofing system for water tanks not only saves time and expense in the future but also provides peace-of-mind to the community by knowing their water supply is safe and healthy for many years to come.

The finished tank is permanently covered by landscaping, making repairs expensive and difficult

The concrete containment tank at the Seletar Water Reclamation Plant required waterproofing to protect steel reinforcement from corroding


Chirag Residential & Commercial Building, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Chirag Residential & Commercial Building is located in Al Barsha, a sub-community within Dubai that incorporates residential and commercial buildings. Kryton was involved in waterproofing three basements in the community – some of the deepest in Dubai. Some basements reached 12 metres deep with the water table at 9.5 metres. In the Chirag Building, around 29,000 kgs of KIM-HS was used in the raft slab, retaining walls and water tank, of which more than 20 tonnes was in the raft slab alone. About 1,250 lineal metres of the Krystol Waterstop System was used to waterproof six horizontal joints and the wall to slab joints. The contractor says choosing KIM-HS over a membrane waterproofing system saved over 45 days in construction time. This project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

Al Mashfa Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This 10-storey full-service private hospital is located one kilometre from the banks of the Red Sea. After discovering an underground lake while excavating for the two-level underground parking garage, construction was behind schedule and the project team could not afford further costly delays. “KIM-HS was the only solution,” says Eng. Hamid Elmas, the project consultant. More than 51,000 kgs of KIM-HS treated concrete was used to cover 6,413 cubic metres of concrete over an area of 4,045 square metres. Using Krystol concrete waterproofing products, the Al Mashfa Group saved 48 days in construction and thousands of dollars in waterproofing and cold joint construction. The project is scheduled to be completed in late 2009.

Kryton in the Middle EastThe Middle East is home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies. Driven by oil and natural gas revenues, and backed by decades of saved petroleum revenues, many countries in the Middle East are fueled for growth. This is creating a building and investment boom with large scale infrastructure projects throughout the region.

Dubai, UAE, in particular, has gained notoriety over the past decade for the scale and ingenuity of its construction projects. Projects such as the Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Dubai tower, Ski Dubai and the Dubai Marina have transformed Dubai into an international destination. However, the current global economic crisis is causing some Dubai-based developers to refocus their sights in places such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, where expansionary government budgets

and promises of sustained growth are raising hopes for riding out the economic downturn.

Kryton is already ahead of the game. The company began its involvement in the Middle East in 2001 and established local business operations in Dubai in 2004. Since then, it has been a part of numerous large scale development projects. Today, with an impressive list of accomplishments in Dubai, Kryton is actively expanding its reach. The company has distributors in Oman, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Qatar. It is an active player in the rapid industrial development taking place in Saudi Arabia and the rebuilding work of the Beirut suburbs development project. In February, Kryton co-hosted a series of seminars with BMC, the company’s distributor in Saudi Arabia, showcasing the superiority of its Krystol® Internal

MembraneTM (KIM®) admixture over waterproofing membranes. The seminars were extremely successful, attracting 150 of the top consultants and contractors in each city. BMC is the largest waterproofing company in Saudi Arabia and Kryton is looking forward to its new partnership with the company.

Kryton has built a solid reputation as a trusted source for concrete waterproofing solutions. This reputation is backed by the certification standards and approvals received by its products from Kuwait (2004) and Dubai (2007) for use with potable water, resistance to water under hydrostatic pressure, durability and compressive strength. In addition to its growing list of distributors, Kryton has opened a sales office in the UAE to better serve its customers in the region.

Here is an overview of 5 current or recent Kryton projects in the Middle East:


Islamic Cultural Center, Doha, Qatar

Located in the historic area of Doha, Qatar’s capital city, this important building was first waterproofed using waterproofing membranes. However, the membranes failed almost immediately and water seeped in all over the 5,000 square metre building. The construction team selected the Krystol Crack Repair System to repair all leaking cracks and holes in the one metre thick raft slab and basement walls from the negative side. In addition, the entire area was coated with Krystol T1 and T2 to provide a permanent and watertight basement. As a result, the building is now dry and open to the public for worship and learning.

The Bahri Gardens, Beirut, Lebanon

Kryton’s Krystol waterproofing system was chosen to waterproof the water tank, raft slab and four levels of basement walls at Bahri Gardens. This luxurious 25-storey apartment tower is located on the seafront in Beirut’s most prestigious neighbourhood facing the landmark Raouche Rocks. Its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and the depth of the basement made waterproofing a critical element of the building construction. Using KIM-HS and Krystol Waterstop Treatment for joints provided the concrete supplier with peace of mind. The project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)Giant Star TradingContact: Kapil AroraTel: +971-4-347-3800Fax: +971-4-347-3866Email: [email protected]

Saudi ArabiaIssam Kabbani Group of CompaniesDivision: BMC (the concrete waterproofing and protection division)Contact: Wassim Mahfouz Tel: +966-2-627-8444Fax: +966-2-627-8333Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.kcg.cc

BahrainModern Home GroupContact: Tariq Issam MahimoudTel: +973-1-724-5289Fax: +973-1-727-5072Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.modernhomebahrain.com

OmanSilver Shell Contracting and TradingContact: Kirti SinghTel: +968-2-483-0438Fax: +968-2-483-1336Email: [email protected]

LebanonT.A. Group SarlContact: Hassan SaabTel: +961-1-350-271Fax: +961-1-343-708Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.ta-group.net

QatarUnicon LimitedContact: Bijoy Pati or Zahid KhanTel: +974-442-5722Fax: +974-442-5727Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.unicon-qatar.com

Kryton Distributors in the Middle East RegionKryton has distributors throughout the Middle East Region. Contact any of these distributors to find out more about how Kryton’s waterproofing products can save time and money.

Check out www.kryton.com to see other areas where Kryton distributors are changing concrete construction for the better, including Europe, South East Asia and Africa.

Bahrain Bay Water Treatment Plant, Manama, Bahrain

Contractors for the Bahrain Bay Sewage Treatment Plant selected the Krystol waterproofing system to accomplish the difficult task of treating pile caps at the facility. Krystol T1 and T2 were applied with a brush as a slurry and damp cured for the recommended 48 hours. As a result, the pile caps are completely protected from water ingress today. The application was completed in 2008.


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ENSURE PROFITABILITY Kryton saves developers ten’s of thousands of dollars and shaves weeks off the construction schedule through a proven concrete foundation tanking system. Krystol® technology features the award winning, original crystalline waterproofing admixture and 100% compatible, patent-pending crystalline joint system and proven crack-repair application. By Your Side.™

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At the Lab. In the Field. By Your Side.

FOR EVERY PERSPECTIVE,WHATEVER THE PROJECT

FOR EVERY PERSPECTIVE,WHATEVER THE PROJECT

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