THE Grnata Group, a Bahrain-based real estate firm, has taken on a number of agencies over the past year in a bid to diversify its business and become a source for innovative products. 

Among these is a line of  decorative coatings from Spain’s Jafep, which can be used to create a variety of surface effects ranging from rustic to ultra-modern, according to a spokeswoman for the group.
“We recently acquired the agency for this Spanish company and have now received initial shipments of its highly decorative products,” she says. “While the paints are new to Bahrain, Jafep products have already been used by property developer Nakheel in the UAE.”
Designed for use on interiors and exteriors, Jafep’s paints can be used on walls, ceilings, plaster, gypsum and other structural components using a trowel or brush. Requiring a surface free of dust and grease, the paints are waterproof, washable, offer a high level of resistance to weather and abrasion, and are durable.”
Jafpep’s  products include:
• Veladuras: A water-based product that offers a long workability in order to make glazes using tools such as a stamp, natural sponge, brush, cloth and shammy roller;
• Muralia: A system that creates glazed,  aged surfaces. By using a mural rustic undercoat such as Fondo Revestimiento Mural Rustico and Muralia Wax, highly decorative effects that evoke a rustic atmosphere can be obtained;
• Jafestuc:  A decorative coating for interiors that can be applied to  plastered walls, ceilings and surfaces using a spatula, giving a Venetian stucco or marble-finish effect;
• Gharnata: Similar to the Jafestuc, it creates eye-catching effects when applied using a trowel and triangle;
• Les Coulours: A paint offering a sophisticated mottled effect with just one coat;
• Arenas Egypcias: A water-based and washable product that offers a sandy effect on a gloss background; and
• Tierras Rodantinas and T Rodantinas Plus: Made from natural pigments and resins, these water-based, eco-friendly paints are washable and make the surface breathable, while rending an ‘old-wall’ effect.

In addition to the Jafep line, Grnata offers Zaid Coat, a polyurethance-based waterproof insulation system. “The adverse climate in the Middle East causes buildings to age faster. In order to protect structures, it is necessary to apply quality products to ensure their durability,” the spokeswoman says. “Zaid Coat uses liquid polyurethane to act as shield against harsh temperature, moisture, corrosion, chloride and salt water. Polyurethane-based materials have been found to be the best solution for energy saving and insulation.
The Zaid Coat system includes:
• Super Tex, an acrylic-based, highly flexible coating with excellent adhesion to walls, ceilings and roofs and high resistance to weather and atmospheric changes;
• Prime Coat, which affords unique protection against humidity, salt and water with special features to reinforce weak surfaces.
• HD2, a one-component modified polyester and polyurethane material to protect against humidity, salt and water; and
• Master Filler,  a special acrylic, water-based filler, which has high flexibility and fills all capillary cracks in new buildings, eliminating the need for maintenance. 
Other new products offered by Grnata include fire-resistant steel doors from Tutkunlar of Turkey, with fire ratings of up to two hours, and Malaysian and Dutch aluminium scaffolding systems, ladders and the rolling towers which rise up to 4 m.
Established in 1982, Grnata Group last year marketed projects worth more than BD227 million ($602 million) in Bahrain. The company has a number of projects in various stages of construction in Jidhafs, Sanabis, Al Naeem, Manama and Sitra. Among them are two three-storey buildings, a six-storey building, and a festival hall in Berbar. The group also has a well-equipped materials testing laboratory.
“We actively seek modern designs and new technology and are now looking at setting up new divisions such as a mobile laboratory to inspect materials on site and thus meet the requirements of the industry,” says the spokesman. “Our diverse  activities has enabled us to become not just a service provider but a source for innovation in the industry. Modern technology and new products have boosted our revenues  and helped us survive the downturn.”