The Kalzip Business Unit has recently launched on the market the new roof-integrated photovoltaic systems Kalzip AluPlusSolar, which for the first time, makes it possible to combine an energy-generating system that uses thin-film  photovoltaic modules with the maximum architectural freedom to create striking buildings, says a company official.

The new product comes as part of the company’s strategy of continuously enhancing its products and offering efficient and sustainable solutions.
Kalzip in 1967 pioneered a new industrially-prefabricated aluminium standing seam system for roof and wall cladding, which generated considerable interest. Today, 40 years on, these Kalzip sheets cover more than 85 million sq m in buildings worldwide.
As a full system comprising roof and facade, substructure, seam and flashing profiles, Kalzip provides a complete construction solution, thus meeting the architect, designer and planner expectations.
Commenting on its ecological aspects, the official says: “Kalzip’s aluminium roof and facade cladding systems are an example of ecological buildings, economically competitive, highly sophisticated, extremely flexible and exactly adaptable to the static requirements of the building.”
The company’s latest innovation Kalzip AluPlusSolar can be shaped as convex or conic profiles, offering architects the opportunity to implement its ‘solar’ ideas without neglecting roof design. The combination of flexible solar panels with the characteristics of the Kalzip profiled roofs guarantees architects and planners a really integrated solar solution that optimises the freedom of project designing and the power generation,” the spokesperson explains.
In today’s times of increased environmental awareness and concerns for use of renewable energies, Kalzip AluPlusSolar is an innovative solution that is capable of combining the advantages of aluminium with exceptional economical, environmental and aesthetic requirements, he says.
“The advantages of using aluminium are obvious: it is not only abundantly present in the Earth’s crust, its recycling also contributes to important environmental, economical and social benefits. Moreover, increasing preference is being given to aluminium facades and roofs in the architecture of new construction projects due to its specific properties as a material,” he adds.
Following the same aesthetical and functional line are Kalzip’s perforated facade systems, which are a simple, smart and economical solution for the creation of refreshing and refined designs.
“Perforated facades provide a practically endless scope for creativity and play of lights and shadows and allow the creation of designs that change with light.  The range of perforation diameters further extends the design possibilities,” the official points out.
According to the official, Kalzip perforated facade systems offer multiple advantages:
• Ideal for shadow creation in transparent facades;
• Highlights the facade areas in a sophisticated way;
• Allows the distinction between public and semi-public areas;
• Excellent for enhancing the look of aesthetical facades; and
• Ideal for an economic renovation of facades.
One of the most recent projects in the Middle East that used Kalzip perforated facades was the National Olympic Committee building in Bahrain, designed by the architect Davenport Campbell. The project comprises 565 sq m of Kalzip perforated facades and 1,000 sq m of traditional Kalzip 65/400.
Kalzip Business Unit – a company of Corus Group Limited which belongs to Tata Steel – supplies tailored building envelope solutions for roof and facade cladding, contributing to the current trend of metal cladding with diverse configuration possibilities. Over the years, Kalzip has been successful in expanding its activities to the Middle East and the Far East, with its sophisticated cladding solutions. The unit entered the Middle East market in 1977 with an office in Dubai, and by 1981, Kalzip products were also being supplied to projects in neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.
Some of the most impressive and emblematic Kalzip projects in the Middle East include:
• The Ski slope, a unique mountain-themed attraction of Mall of Emirates, in Dubai, with 23,200 sq m proving the functionality and stunning aesthetics offered by a Kalzip roof.
• The Khalifa Sports City in Doha (Qatar) in the Al Waab district of Doha. The complex contains several sporting venues, mostly constructed in preparation for the 2006 Asian Games and it is home to several international championships.
• The futuristic Nad Al Sheba Millennium Grandstand in Dubai, described as the best of its kind. It has a roof of 8,000 sq m that opens with a sweeping gesture towards the racetrack.
• The Dubai Mall with approximately 60,000 sq m cladded with Kalzip, located in the direct neighbourhood of the Burj Dubai. Still under construction, it is already considered the world’s biggest mall.