Jul 9 2007
AMI is launching a conference on waterproof membranes for applications in roofing and geomembranes. The event is bringing together international experts to debate the issues for the industry. Waterproof Membranes 2007 will take place at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne from 26-28 November 2007.
Ewan Green will give an overview of the markets for membranes in Europe based on years of research in the industry. Synthetic membranes have for many years been used as linings and waterproofing media in a variety of applications. While roofing remains the major outlet for waterproof membranes, the increasing maturity of this sector is leading suppliers to consider geosynthetics as a potential growth area. Driven by infrastructure developments and a growing need for more effective water conservation, domestic waste and hazardous waste management, these sectors offer considerable growth opportunities.
As built durability is critical for the construction industry. Jim Hooker of the Single Ply Roofing Association will talk about the lifespan of roofing membranes.
‘Leakage’ is not a word that membrane users want to hear, but it is a fact of life in waterproofing systems. Finding the source of the leak is one of the big problems. AB Mess- und Trocknungstechnik has developed leak detection systems which function even during the installation process.
EPDM membranes will be described by Trelleborg Building Systems and Frobel in a joint paper on a project to divert a Serbian river. Lanxess will follow up with news of their latest EPDM and EVM materials designed for use in coloured or black membranes. Alphamin and Valéron Strength Films will describe projects involving bitumen based membranes from dam walls to airport terminal roofing. Heromelt has developed new ‘peel and stick’ products.
Thermoplastic elastomers are developing to meet the needs of the membranes market. TPOs will be discussed by Basell and Dow.
Research by building experts will provide new data on the different types of membrane systems. Lucobit has carried out fire testing to European standards. Delgado and Paroli of the National Research Council of Canada have looked at the heat ageing performance of a variety of membranes.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics has looked at the problem of moisture accumulation under flat roofs and is working on more permeable membranes. DSM has vapour permeable TPE-Es for roofing.
United Coatings has worked on a variety of systems to enhance the properties of membranes such as heat reflectivity (cool roof technology). Coating systems will be described by Coatema, and Berstorff will describe efficient methods of manufacturing membranes by the sheet extrusion process.
Additive selection is very important in membranes. Loss of plasticiser with time has caused cracking – BASF will outline good practice in plasticiser selection. Ciba Specialty Chemicals will review some of the latest developments in additives for this sector.
Waterproof Membranes 2007 provides a forum for suppliers, installers, specifiers and manufacturers of membranes to debate the latest technology and markets. Register before 26th October and save 100 euros!