PASCHAL’s highly popular modular formwork systems continue to help shape and speed up work on numerous prestigious projects in the region. In the UAE, the leading German formwork supplier’s solutions have been used on a variety of projects ranging from towers to infrastructural developments, thanks to the efforts of Paschal Concrete Forms, the regional office based in Bahrain, which is ably supported by its offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Among its ongoing projects in Dubai are the 51@Business Bay, an office tower being developed by Deyaar and Botanica Tower as well as a substation for Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and a sewage treatment plant.
Elaborating on the Deyaar project, a spokesman for Paschal says: “Paschal’s modular panels are being used on the Deyaar Tower, one of the finest and impressive towers in Business Bay. Currently, work is at the roof level and we are designing for the parapet. The 17-storey office tower, which also includes two basement levels, a ground and a three-level podium, is being built by Al Nekhreh Contracting Company. The tower’s structure placed a demanding set of requirements on our modular panels.”
For the Botanica Tower, the formwork specialist supplied modular panels for the columns, retaining wall, ramp wall and the core wall. General Construction is the contractor on the project which is being developed by the Global Group. The commercial and residential tower comprises three basement levels, a ground level, three podium levels and 36 typical floors.

For the Dewa substation project, the civil work subcontractor Lootah Building and Construction is using a combination of Paschal modular panels to achieve the prescribed form in the most effective and efficient way, says the spokesman. Siemens is the main contractor on the project, which involves supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the 400/132 kV Mamzar Beach substation and associated works.
Commenting on the challenges of the project, the spokesman says: “The different wall elevations, higher foundations for the reactor, the tight schedule and compliance with the strict specifications of Electricite de France, the consultant, were among the major challenges of the project. We have already cast the columns and retaining walls for both the GIS (gas-insulated switchgear) buildings and are currently preparing the shuttering for the reactor foundation.”
Meanwhile, for the 4-m-high sewage treatment plant for Lamprell Development Hamriyah, Paschal planned and designed the formwork so as to optimise on the panel combinations used in order to save time, particularly in assembling and in dismantling. The entire project was divided into three different castings to suit the varying shapes of the wall structures.”
Paschal’s modular formwork systems have proved their versatility and flexibility on building sites of every description in more than 60 countries, whether in foundation work, walls, shafts, polygonal structures, piers or beams. In the UAE, Paschal’s formwork solutions have been used on various other major projects including the Dubai Autism Centre and a water production plant expansion in Jebel Ali, both in Dubai; as well as the 194 Corporate Tower at Al Reem Island, the Emirates Aluminium (Emal) smelter complex and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, all in Abu Dhabi.
Since the inception of its regional office in Bahrain under the name of Paschal Concrete Forms in January 1998, Paschal has emerged as a leading supplier of modern formwork solutions to the region’s contractors.
Paschal’s modular panels, which are manufactured with 6-mm-thick frames of special steel, are strong and durable and do not corrode. The surface of the panels is covered with high-quality birch plywood (density 780 kg/cu m) that has a 220 gm/sq m phenolic coating. The edges of the plywood are protected by the steel frame and the gap between them is filled with a special sealant. Hence, the plywood can be reused up to 250 times and the steel frame will remain sound for more than 20 years, according to him.
“Thanks to easy erection and dismantling, with or without the use of a crane, contractors can save up to 30 per cent of their superstructure cost through savings on labour, material and time. Being modular, the formwork system offers contractors versatility, flexibility and durability, among other benefits,” says the spokesman.
He continues: “Paschal offers a competent service and complete solutions that are user-friendly for concrete construction sites. Our consistency in quality is reflected in the DIN EN ISO 9001 certification. In addition, Paschal service professionals are ready to act as consultants and find optimum solutions for particular applications.”