Riyadh Factory for Thermo Insulation and Packaging Materials (Styrotech), the manufacturer of Styrotech products in the Middle East, claims that its newly set-up research and development wing is working on more than 12 ideas for the application of EPS (expanded polystyrene) in constructions, which will translate into several innovative products for the regional markets.

Styrotech has patented some of these products in the name of the factory and the inventor.
“Three of these ideas – electropiping block, Styrocladding and the MultiFix systems – have already seen the light of the day, when they were rolled them out last year,” says Taher Aladdin, a spokesman for the Riyadh-based company.

Electropiping block
Considered a new design in sandwich insulated blocks – although not technically a sandwich block since the EPS is placed only on one side and connected to the cement side by strong corrugated grooves – the electropiping block provides a strong mechanical interlock between both the sides and has several advantages:
• Ease of electrical piping with no need for any excavation;
• Ease of cutting for installing water pipes and electrical boxes;
• Flexibility of fixing gypsum plasterboard at a very low cost (cheaper or equivalent to cement plaster); and
• Allows mechanical fixing of marbles or granite on one side of the insulated wall.

Styrocladding
The concept for this innovative method of cladding tiles – which can be made of granite, marble, stone or ceramic – has been adopted from a German method, whereby the tiles are fixed in the factory on EPS boards, measuring approximately 1m by 1m (depending on tiles dimensions). A primary condition is that the tile thickness should not exceed 10 mm.
The boards are then fixed on to the building, either with screws or with aluminum sections (male and female).
The Styrocladding system offers several advantages including:
• Flexibility to clad with any type of tiles;
• Provides full external insulation for the building, including the columns and beams;
• Lower loads on the foundation of the building; and
• Lower fixing costs.

Multifix
The concept of slab reinforcement has evolved rapidly, from solid slabs (without hordi) to using cement hordi block and then to lighter alternatives such as red clay blocks (slightly lighter), says Aladdin.
Then came Styrohordi produced from expanded polystyrene, which has a negligible weight, and moulds made of plastic or fibreglass. The moulds, however, proved expensive and did not offer the flexibility of changing dimensions, he says.
“In contrast, the Multifix system offers the best of both the Styro hordi and the mould systems,” explains Aladdin. “Styrohordi is covered with a smooth PVC layer, approximately 2 mm in thickness, which does not allow the concrete to stick to the PVC sheets and provides the necessary shape.
He continues: “Although Styrohordi is very light, many consultants prefer not to use it for ceilings for fear of fire hazards and subsequent poisonous emissions. Expanded polystyrene, however, does not emit hazardous gases as the blowing agent (pentane gas) used in manufacturing it, evaporates within three days after the molding process. In addition, certain types of expanded polystyrene containing fire-retardants, do not catch fire.
The advantages of the Multifix system includes:
• Enables quick fixing and demoulding;
• Offers precise dimensions;
• Uses high quality and high strength materials;
• Provides a very smooth concrete surface after demoulding; and
• Can be provided in a variety of lengths to suit site requirements.
The Multifix system and Styrocladding systems are being handled by a new sister company of Styrotech.
As for Electropiping block, Styrotech supplies the EPS insert to block factories.
Another sister concern of Styrotech is the sole agent in the kingdom for Zenith block-making machines which can supply the required moulds to block factories in the region.
“Styrotech has been the largest consumer of EPS raw materials from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) for three consecutive years and has been the leader of Styro technology in the area,” concludes Aladdin
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