Construction Material Chemical Industries (CMCI), a member of the Khalifa Al Ghosaibi Group, Dammam, and pioneer in the manufacture of calcium nitrite-based corrosion inhibitors in the region, is widening its considerable product base to cover polyurethane coatings, a significant material with important applications.

CMCI has also announced plans to spread its wings by establishing manufacturing facilities in the UAE, Egypt and India. The company's products have been used in over 3,000 projects in the Gulf and are now sold in 25 countries in the Gulf, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, the Fart East and Europe.

CMCI has technical collaboration licences with four major players, namely Euclid Chemical Company, Ohio, US, (RPM Company for concrete chemicals; United Coatings, US; Spectrum Chemicals, UK, for polyurethane products; and Tam International, UK, for concrete injection resins and crystallisation waterproofing for water-retaining concrete structures.

CMCI has sophisticated manufacturing equipment, state-of-the-art technology and a qualified team of technocrats to conduct continuous research and development programmes. A fully equipped laboratory to conduct all quality control and quality assurance in-house are among the facilities.

"CMCI believes that construction chemicals used in the Gulf region should offer total protection and excellent performance," said the company. "Products should be developed taking into consideration the harsh climatic conditions in the Gulf area and the type of materials used in the constuction and building industry which is unique to the area. And the application of these products should be carried out as per our recommendations."

CMCI was the first manufacturer in the region to produce calcium nitrite-based corrosion inhibitors for the protection of rebars from chloride -induced corrosion, the company claimed.

"CMCI has always been a step ahead of its competitors, getting stronger and developing sophisticated products and increasing its market share," it said.

The polyurethane coatings it plans to manufacture can be used in parking decks, secondary containments, abrasion- and chemical-resistant industrial protective coatings, heavy-duty epoxy screeds for heavy vehicular movements such as armed vehicles, and UV-resistant protective coatings for concrete and steel structures.

Other applications include state-of-the-art shrinkage-compensated repair mortars/micro concrete and tailor-made superplasticisers. CMCI has also entered the field of water-borne products with the latest technology in acrylic, polyurethane and epoxy. To meet delivery schedules, the company has acquired new production lines to produce 2000 bags of powder products per shift.

"These strategies, together with ISO 9002 accreditation, a Total Quality Management System and onsite technical support, have contributed to CMCI's rapid growth," said a company statement. To achieve ISO 14001, CMCI has begun implementing procedures that can heighten efficiency and reduce waste while also increasing protection to personnel, plant, machinery and the environment.

Repair products manufactured by CMCI are ideal for Gulf climatic conditions, among the most severe in the world. The hot, humid and saline climate causes rapid deterioration of the reinforced concrete structures. Significant variations in temperature and humidity cause concrete to decay at an accelerated rate.

CMCI's products are widely used for the repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures. CMCI supplies the materials and provides the client with technical services for the proper application of its products.

The product range includes concrete admixtures; waterproofing membranes; curing and sealing compounds; epoxy adhesives, coatings and sealers; dry shake, liquid floor hardeners and toppings; sealers; grouts for columns, equipment and machinery; joint filters and sealants; material for industrial and commercial floor repair; chemicals for pavement and deck repair and for vertical and overhead repairs and cleaners; form release agents and surface retarders.

Technical collaborator Euclid has given the company a tremendous edge. Euclid is a giant in construction chemicals and was the first company in the US to enter the construction chemical business more than 90 years ago. Euclid products conform to ASTM/BS standards, the same being true for CMCI products.

"CMCI's association with Euclid has granted it a good base where it can be in tune with the latest developments worldwide and also gain vastly from Euclid's comprehensive research base and inventions," said CMCI. "This is not to say that CMCI does not carry out research on its own." CMCI's modern research laboratory at its factory in Dammam is equipped with all the latest equipment for testing, sampling and grading, thus ensuring the production is of the highest standards. "This R&D section has been instrumental in the customising of many products to make them effective for the extreme climatic conditions found in this part of the world," observed CMCI. One of CMCI's achievements is the publication of a repair guide, which gives a new perspective to the construction industry. The guide discusses, among other things, the causes for the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures, the process of deterioration, the diagnosis and the procedures for proper repair.