Supreme Industries: Focuses on Expansion

The construction industry across the world, is witnessing a tremendous boom. And India is no exception! Government polices and expenses on infrastructure have helped the sector grow at higher levels and the same pace is likely to be seen in the coming years too. This industry comprises many components including construction of heavy and civil engineering (highways, bridges, railway tracks, airports, etc.), real estate (both residential as well as commercial) development, and specialized construction products (such as architectural products, electrical connections, decorative items, etc.)

In the 12th plan (2012–17) period, the central government is expecting a massive $1 trillion investment into infrastructure development, therefore providing the civil construction industry with a major boost. The importance of civil construction industry can be gauged from the fact that it is the second largest economic activity after agriculture. The estimated investment into construction is 11% of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – it holds huge untapped potential. Around Rs.15,099.84 billion is likely to be invested into the infrastructure sector over the next five to ten years in segments such as power, roads, bridges, city infrastructure, ports, airports, telecommunications, which is expected to give impetus to the construction industry nationwide.

The role of organizations like Supreme Industries in supporting the construction industry has become prominent and critical. Exposure to world-class expertise and advent of global players have led to infusion of new materials, equipment and technologies in the construction practices in India. However, quality along with cost-effectiveness remains a serious challenge. Moreover, the gap between the requirements of the construction industry and solutions available remains unfulfilled.

The Supreme Industries Ltd., founded in 1942, pioneered many path-breaking products in the country and became trendsetters in plastics products by introducing many advanced solutions for various applications and industries.

"The Construction Accessories Division of Supreme has developed customised solutions specifically for the construction requirements of various segments. All our products have been developed after continuous research and understanding the needs of the changing demands of the new generation constructions. Many of these products have been pioneered by Supreme.

A case in point is the creation of a low compression set filler board 'DURAboardHD100' especially for expansion joint filler application, to replace less effective bitumen board based solutions. The division offers new generation, better alternative products to conventional materials like rubber, metals, and wood, thus being cost effective. The 'DURA' range of products are manufactured from virgin raw material and we do not use any CFC / HCFC gases. At every stage of the manufacturing process, a stringent quality check methodology assures the reliability of the products.

An expansion joint is an assembly designed to safely absorb the heat-induced expansion and contraction of various construction materials, to absorb vibration, to hold certain parts together, or to allow movement due to ground settlement or earthquakes. Throughout the year, building faces, concrete slabs, and pipelines expand and contract due to the warming and cooling through seasonal variation, or due to other heat sources. If expansion joints were not implemented in bridges, building, highways etc. the intense heat in the summer would expand the metal, brick, or concrete materials in a structure and the structure would have cracks and breaks in it. Also, in the winter the harsh cold temperatures would make the materials to contract (come together) and this would also result in disastrous circumstances.

'DURAboardHD100' (formerly SIL flex/Capcell HD100) is an exclusive compressible filler board specially designed to be used as expansion joint filler in concrete brick, block work and isolation joint, where is readily compressible low load transfer joint filler is required. Its excellent recovery property makes it the most suitable product for this application. 'DURAboardHD100' is a high performance, pre-moulded compressible filler board, closed cell joint filler material available in the board / sheets form. It is very light weight. This makes it very easy to handle & install. Being polymer based, it is rot proof & bacteria resistant.

The striking features of 'DURAboardHD100' are:

• Bitumen free - can be cut in any size with a normal knife.
• Excellent recovery of 95% after compression up to 50%
• Polymer based – hence it won't deteriorate over a long period
• Resilient and does not distort under normal load from wet concrete
• Non-staining

'DURAboardHD100' can be used in:

• expansion joints in building, concrete structure
• expansion joints in concrete roads, parking areas, industrial flooring etc.
• joints in bridges, decks, water retaining and water excluding structures etc.
• isolation joints in machine foundation etc…

Another product - 'DURArods' is a closed cell polymer based foam filler material with a circular profile. It ensures stronger bonding of sealant with masonry, aluminium or other substrates & helps to maintain desired thickness of sealant at the joint's centre. It does not bond with cold applied sealants. DURArods (back-up rods) is used as back-up to sealants to expansion joints and structural glazing systems.

Features:

• Closed cell hence negligible water/ water vapour absorption
• Excellent chemical resistance – Inert to most acids and alkalis
• Cost effective space filler
• Allows unrestrained expansion and contraction of sealants. Eliminates bubbling of sealants
• Non-staining

'DURArods' can be used in:

• Pre-cast panel joints
• Coping joins
• Contraction joints
• Expansion joints
• Back-up to sealants in structural glazing systems
• Glazing joints
• Isolation joints
• Dynamic joints in masonry
• Window and Door frame perimeters
• Control joints

'DURAsilstrip' is a closed cell, compressible polymer based material. It is paper backed on one side as per IRC:57-2006-6.3. & 6.4.

Features:

• Closed cell hence negligible water/ water vapour absorption
• Compressible & flexible
• Excellent chemical resistance – Inert to most acids and alkalis
• Non-staining

'DURAsilstrip' can be used in:

• Bond breaker between any cold applied sealant and fourth surface in contraction / expansion joints
• Back-up to cold applied sealants (typical in concrete roads)

It is massively used in PQC & various structures for NHAI, AAI, Real Estate and British Specification & specification for highways works clause 1015.

Few government organizations still waver to use the new generation, better alternative products and follow old specifications by using less efficient bitumen based boards and cork sheets which crumble over a period of time. Bitumen board absorbs water and hardly recovers once compressed - it defeats the purpose of application. It absorbs water and oozes bitumen thereby staining the structure.

Supreme has a number of satisfied customers (government, semi- government and private) who have stopped using and recommending bitumen boards/ corks sheets after understanding the benefits of 'DURAboardHD100'.