Sustainable Waterproofing Technology : Protecting Concrete and Environment

Water is the main cause of building decay and deterioration. Building materials have considerably shorter life span when subjected to water moisture over a prolonged period of time. The importance of waterproofing is reflected in the consequences of not doing proper waterproofing at the time of construction. Water which penetrates in concrete can have immediate and long-term effects on the building in the form of damage to building contents and even structural failure if the problem is not dealt quickly and successfully.


Over the past few years, there have been technological advance- ments in waterproofing products and systems; manufacturers are introducing new, long-lasting and eco-friendly products in the market keeping environment, safety, and health points of paramount considerations in view. Nowadays 'Green' being in the spotlight from all the sectors for its eco-friendly nature, waterproofing industry is not an exception!

As architects, builders, contractors, developers and engineers are focusing on green developments so the demand for green products have increased considerably to meet sustainable standards. 'Sustainable or environ- mental preferable' waterproofing products have no or lesser effect on human health and environment as they are non-toxic, and contains no VOC's (volatile organic compounds). The manufacturers of waterproofing products and systems are now investing more on R&D and producing only innovative, eco-friendly, energy-efficient and high quality waterproofing solutions that minimize utility and maintenance costs, and thus deliver these savings to building owners year after year, with longevity and excellent product performance measured in decades, rather than years. These sustainable solutions also empowered their clients to reduce the environmental impact and increase their ROI.

Maria R. initiated an interaction with various players in the industry on certain points related to current technological trends and sustainable waterproofing products available in the Indian construction industry, and their views are presented here:

Chowgule Construction Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

What are the current technological trends in the Indian chemicals and waterproofing industry?
Solutions improving the energy efficiency of traditional construction materials and reducing their carbon footprint are growing. In waterproofing segment, though traditional methods like removal of brickbat coba has been widespread, newer methods and technologies of getting rid of leakages are reaching the market almost every day. Huge range of waterproofing membranes has been designed to give breakthrough from the nuisance.

What sort of developments taking place in manufacturing green waterproofing products and systems?
Having German partners right from the outset, our products have been formulated making them eco-friendly. Harmful solvents, diluents, softeners, etc are not used in our formulations.

What type of products being offered by your company, and their application areas? Also tell us that how your products have an edge over competitors?
Our products range entails broadly to waterproofing, concrete repair, floor coatings, anti corrosive coatings and sealants. Most of our products distinctly have atleast two to three characteristic properties that make them stand out amongst the competition. We believe in being "best in class" in all categories where we are present. Installation of these products is also technically backed by inputs from our in-house contracting division, thereby guaranteeing our customers a reliable and durable system.

Are you providing training to your applicators for different products for effective work?
This is a huge advantage that we have in the market place. Our contracting division, now 12 yrs old, have fully trained engineers and supervisors, who are continuously being trained in the installation of all our systems. Many have even visited Germany for furthering this technical training. This forms the backbone of both onsite hands-on and offsite support and training to our applicator network.

Although in the market, versatile waterproofing products are available in plenty but in most cases the system fails due to wrong products selection for application. How can such problems be tackled to benefits the users?
By broadening the brand of awareness of new age waterproofing systems, which are relatively easy and quick to apply, thereby ultimately giving advantages efficacy and cost.

What is the role of quality standards in waterproofing materials and solution and also tell us what are the systems placed in your company to ensure quality standards?
Very important role in the market, most manufacturers follow either ASTM and/or DIN standards. At CCT, we follow DIN standards. Most of our product samples are regularly sent to our German partners for testing at their laboratories. Further, we undertake to test our products in India at IIT and other leading construction chemical labs. At production level, invert raw materials are tested at our R&D lab, prior to being forwarded to the production, thereafter the final product is also tested before being cleared to the customer. The sample of the final batch is retained for the full guarantee period of installation.

Company Brief:

Chowgule Construction Technologies Private Limited has specialized in waterproofing and concrete repair products for over a decade now. CCT is a part of the 97-year-old Chowgule Group of companies, which has its presence in shipping, logistics, and automotives in addition to construction chemicals. Chowgule Construction Technolo- gies is in collaboration with KAUBIT Aktiengesellschaft for waterproofing and repair products, Schedetal AG for ECB and TPO membranes, OttoChemie for sealants and ABP for Epoxy and PU-based floor coatings. We are trusted by leading architects, consultants and developers in our areas of operations.

Supreme Industries Ltd.

What are the current technological trends in the Indian chemicals and waterproofing industry?
Although environment, safety and health have become the important points of considerations, the end users, in many cases do not place primary importance that how the product is made. The product may look and feel the same but is the composition, health and safety aspects, quality and its performance standards measured on the same basis as per the requirement of Indian constructions and atmosphere. In India, most of the people prefer imported waterproofing membranes but if any failure is there after five years then who will be held responsible. Our membrane is the only polymeric membrane manufactured in our own country and can be custom designed like we can increase or decrease the tensile strength, puncture resistance, thickness etc as per the individual requirement. With over six decades of experience in providing innovative and cost effective solutions, Supreme Industries is an undisputed leader in India's Plastic Industry.

What type of products being offered by your company, and their application areas? Also tell us that how your products have an edge over competitors?
Supreme's construction accessories division offers solutions in specialized civil applications like Duraboard HD 100 for expansion joints, construction joints, isolation joints etc, Duramembrane for waterproofing of roofs, podiums etc, Durarod as backup to sealants, Durafloor protector in replacement of POP for protection of tiles/ floors during finishing stage, Duraroofil for multi–functional sealing between the metal roofing sheet and wall base, in PEB structures to prevent thermal losses and insects or airborne dust incursion, Duravapor barrier as bond breaker and prevention of water vapour transmission, Duraprotector for protecting waterproofing membranes, Durashield for spandrel insulation, Durafloor Guard for industrial flooring, Dura shuttering mate as bond breaker between cement and shuttering plate and is also used under wooden flooring. All our products are having third party certification backed with after sales service if required.

Are you providing training to your applicators for different products for effective work?
Whatever products are being offered by us are of new generation, better alternative products to conventional materials being used and applied so application procedure is more or less same. Even if there is any problem, we are having an extensive pan India network of technocommercial professionals. Only our waterproofing product Duramembrane has a slightly different procedure so we are always there on Site to assist our clients. We also conduct training programmes at regular intervals for our new business partners and applicators.

What is the role of quality standards in waterproofing materials and solution and also tell us what are the systems placed in your company to ensure quality standards?
Our Duramembrane is manufactured from virgin raw material. We donot use any CFC/ HCFC gases. At every stage of the manufacturing process, a stringent 7 stage quality check methodology assures the reliability of the membrane.Same has been developed after continuous research and understanding the needs of the changing demands of the new generation constructions. The plant is which this membrane is made is ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 certified.

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

What are the current technological trends in the Indian chemicals and waterproofing industry?
Yes, the methodology of construction has also evolved over the years in India and you can now see a lot of global specifications, which have led to waterproofing specifications that are more demanding in terms of durability, performance. Eco-friendly materials are being specified and it is upto the companies providing and installing the waterproofing products and systems to meet the minimum norms of environment, health and safety.

What sort of developments taking place in manufacturing green waterproofing products and systems?
We were the first company to work on green products for construction, in terms of the chemistry. Our global development centre in Singapore is set up precisely to innovate and transform the construction chemicals to an "eco-safe" category. Most of our products are water based. So, fundamentally, this is our philosophy.

What type of products being offered by your company, and their application areas? Also tell us that how your products have an edge over competitors?
As a strategy, our thrust is on providing end-to-end waterproofing solutions for any type of need that arises in building construction. Our products are specified for any and every area of the building that needs water-tightness. Along with the main products for waterproofing, there are other auxillary products that aid in making a perfect surface / substrate preparation, effective primers and also sealants that top it up to make a proper durable specification.

Are you providing training to your applicators for different products for effective work?
We have now spent 10 years in "continuous training" to end users, application contractors of all levels.

We also have instituted the Dr. Fixit Institute which is committed to uplift the quality of applications & specifications of construction chemicals. It not only conducts training programmes partnered with important organizations throughout the country, but also holds workshops on contemporary subjects, by inviting important personalities from the civil engineering fraternity. Today, Dr Fixit Institute has penetrated into most areas of the country.

It will start offering diagnostics for investigation of leaks and distresses in buildings, that can present a 'pathological lab' report to the building owners with suggested remedial action.

Although in the market, versatile waterproofing products are available in plenty but in most cases the system fails due to wrong products selection for application. How can such problems be tackled to benefits the users?
This is absolutely right. That is why we have been investing in training the application skills and educating them on the latest know-how of waterproofing and remedial repair materials. It is a commitment that we have taken on, to take us into the international sphere of waterproofing. India is a tropical country with different and variating climatic conditions from Europe with a lot of difference in the construction methods as well. Our training addresses all these issues.

What is the role of quality standards in waterproofing materials and solution and also tell us what are the systems placed in your company to ensure quality standards?
We are tied up with some progressive organizations in the country and abroad to work on developing standards for construction chemicals, where currently standards don't exist. ASTM, DIN, Singapore, British Standards wherever applicable are adhered and followed. Leading test houses too provide these testing and certification facilities.

If there is no standard for a particular material, we develop our own, to provide this to the clients, so that they can get an idea of the durability and performance.

Dow Corning

What are the current technological trends in the Indian chemicals and waterproofing industry?
Water and humidity play an important role in contributing to building damage – which is why waterproofing is seen as a major trend in the construction industry from a customer-need point of view.

While various players in the industry may have differing views on waterproofing and the need for it, at Dow Corning, we see waterproofing as a means to increase the life of a building, thus reducing the overall cost and providing value for money. We provide post treatment solutions like water repellants and hydrophobic powders which prevent water to seep in and corrode the building material.

In addition, we also see reduction in water consumption as a big need in this industry. We offer silicone-based solutions, which if mixed along with building materials helps reduce water consumption and helps improve the strength of the material.

What sort of developments taking place in manufacturing green waterproofing products and systems?
Customers in the construction industry are increasingly demanding green building design, and water conservation is one of the key factors in green certification. Dow Corning offers products that can contribute to green building design and certification, since our products are within the permissible VOC (volatile organic content) range. We are committed to bring value to the waterproofing space and our global expertise and technologies to India. We are already working with many companies and consultants in the country.

What type of products being offered by your company, and their application areas? Also tell us that how your products have an edge over competitors?
Dow Corning offer silicone based solutions for waterproofing which can be used for pre- and post-treatment in building materials. The edge that silicones have over other materials; is that the molecule size is quite small (in milli microns) which enables them to better blend with the building materials, and also enables better penetration into porous substrates, thus minimizing water absorption. Silicones are also highly durable and UV resistant; this is a key property for any external application.

Are you providing training to your applicators for different products for effective work?
Dow Corning believes that the best product performance can be achieved by thorough product and application knowledge. To enable this, Dow Corning has established a state-of-art laboratory facility in Pune, where we are providing regular classroom and lab training sessions for the industry people. Recently, we have launched Quality Bond program which is meant to train and upgrade the skill set of the industry people. In such training programs, we also discuss the global standards and pre-requisites for the best application practices.

Although in the market, versatile waterproofing products are available in plenty but in most cases the system fails due to wrong products selection for application. How can such problems be tackled to benefits the users?
My belief is that all companies are committed, in their own ways, to bringing the best solutions to cater to current market requirements. In addition, there are agencies (government and non-government) that are working to establish defined codes and standards for application and product selection. We are also working with such agencies to share our application expertise, so as to benefit the industry.

What is the role of quality standards in waterproofing materials and solution and also tell us what are the systems placed in your company to ensure quality standards?
As in any application, performance is a given expectation in any industry, and at Dow Corning providing quality solutions is one of our core values. Like I said earlier, we have established a laboratory facility to test substrates. Accordingly, we recommend the right product based on the substrate. At Dow Corning, we believe in offering the best-suited solution for the market.

MYK Schomburg India Pvt. Ltd.

What are the current technological trends in the Indian chemicals and waterproofing industry?

• The increasing cost of construction rehabilitation, led by escalating raw materials and labor costs, is making project developers and owners (both belonging to high-end, real estate and individual residential construction) increasingly opt for effective and advanced waterproofing products and solutions.
• Construction using the latest technology would result in faster completion of the project and also brings down the cost of construction apart from ensuring the superior quality of the job.
• The Green Building Concepts in the new technological trends ensure the construction activities more environment sustainable.

• With globalization and increase in demand for quality products, it has led to innovative solutions such as durable membranes based on APP/SBS, EPDM, crystalline waterproofing, polyurethane coatings and lastly, acrylic polymer-based cementitious coatings.
• The Crystalline Admixtures used in concrete make the concrete dense and pore free with the inbuilt crack bridging capability shall result in better waterproofing structure from within.

What sort of developments taking place in manufacturing green waterproofing products and systems?

• There has been growth in demand for quality products that would provide longer shelf life to the structure, and would also be less on economics. This has led to departure from traditional waterproofing products and methods to apply the same.
• And now Bitumen and polymer products usage are on the rise and they have their positive characteristics for being more adhesive and for having a long shelf life. However, the products are known to have toxic characteristics. This makes them less eco-friendly.
• The other traditional waterproofing products as per earlier trends has been to use some integral waterproofing compound in the concrete during pouring and cementitious based waterproofing coating and the crystalline systems make them the best choice apart from the HDPE & LDPE linings for heavy basements.

What type of products being offered by your company, and their application areas? Also tell us that how your products have an edge over competitors?

• MYK SCHOMBURG offers different range of products starting with Polymer modified coatings with different intensities to cater different elements under variable conditions and exposures, Crystalline coating systems, Crystalline Admixtures, APP Membranes, Swellable Water Bars, and the specialized Joint Tapes for addressing the critical areas in wet areas.

• MYK SCHOMBURG believes in giving a system for a requirement rather than a product. A system in short shall be the combination of our range of specialized waterproofing products, which collectively make the element watertight for years together. And we insist more on to the detailing part which in general has been ignored in the regular practices. With the specialized tapes, we offer helps to address these detailing in a proper and the most effective manner ensuring the water tightness under the most stressed situation of the element.
• We do also pose high polymer modified cementitious waterproofing system with UV resistance, and high crack bridging ability and also these come in different shades hence the product can be exposed for better aesthetics of the building.
• MYK SCHOMBURG also offers the specialized high compressor pumps for the product applica- tions, by which the application areas of 2000 sqm can be addressed in a single day.

Are you providing training to your applicators for different products for effective work?

• During the tenure of our efforts in development of our Brand M/s MYK Schomburg (I) Pvt Ltd, we had selected the talented contractors all over India and have trained them and their team for application of our all waterproofing products. Today, they are our trained and authorized applicators on our panel carrying out solely our installations fulfilling their business. Obviously our team of trained Engineers remains involved in project works for planning, supply and installation technically.
• Considering waterproofing a sensitive aspect of Construction Industry, our recommendations adopted by our clients and installation under our trained applicator and technical heads would ensure the best product with the best application.
• Yes, we do train our applicators to understand our range of specialized products along with the systems (combinations) to ensure they deliver the best at the end applications. We conduct a programme called TIPS (Technical Inputs for promoting sales) every quarter for all our applicators and make them aware of all the latest and updated live demos.

Although in the market, versatile waterproofing products are available in plenty but in most cases the system fails due to wrong products selection for application. How can such problems be tackled to benefits the users?

• Yes, the wrong selection of the product not only addresses the problem, but can also worsen the situation.
• As said earlier that understanding the requirement of the end users and the problematic source, will make the problem easier apart from the stress the waterproofing product would undergo in its intended life.
• Once this is understood, it becomes easier to analyse the smaller details and address them accordingly. With our range of products and the systems it shall be easier to address most of the critical situations.

What is the role of quality standards in waterproofing materials and solution and also tell us what are the systems placed in your company to ensure quality standards?

• Local Experience, Global Expertise is the motto followed by the company to provide latest trends and products systems to the Indian construction industry. MYK SCHOMBURG promotes the technology and products from Germany, and as you know the DIN standards are one of the most critical standards practiced internationally. This ensures our quality of products and stands high on others.
• The role of quality standards would start right at the point where we get our Raw materials we do have a very minimal leverage of ±3%. Ensuring the best quality of material for processing. The impact as we know would be higher if the quality of the products would be on its base material. The intended parameters will not be met if any compromise is made.
• Apart from this, check the quality of products which MYK SCHOMBURG offers are processed and is tested in our in house quality laboratory at different stages. Once the produced batch meets the parameters within the intended leverage, shall be allowed to be dispatched. All sorts of quality checks even with the packing material is ensured as part of our standards.