Having completed many landmark projects in the Gulf over the past three decades, Liquid Plastics – a UK-based manufacturer of coatings and membranes – is optimistic about increased sales in the markets of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and the UAE through its branch offices in these countries.

“Given the large number of prestigious projects we have completed in the region, we have proven that we have the right products to combat accelerated weathering and early signs of degradation of buildings caused by the region’s harsh climatic conditions. Liquid Plastics has an impressive range of high-quality protection systems for roofs, walls, and balconies, which have been specified for many prestigious projects such as the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, the Exhibition Centre in Damascus in Syria and the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Dubai in the UAE,” says a spokesman for the company.
Liquid Plastics will soon complete its biggest Middle East roofing project to date at the Museum of Islamic Art, where the company’s inverted roof system is being used. The museum building – which is designed by the US-based architects IM Pei Associates, famed for designing the Bank of China in Hong Kong – will house a unique collection of Islamic art that the Royal Family of Qatar has accumulated over many years. The company’s inverted roof system was chosen for the waterproofing of all the flat areas on this new building because, when open to the public, many of these areas will be accessible and will act as walkways and terraces between different sections of the building, he explains.
The company’s vast experience in the Middle East and global recognition as a producer of top-quality systems has helped it to secure this prestigious project. Its inverted roof system differs from traditional systems due to its totally seamless Decothane root-resistant waterproofing layer. The system, which is cold-applied, is insulated with Liquid Plastics’ inverted roof board and completed with pavers or ballast that will withstand foot traffic. The waterproofing layer in an inverted roof is situated at the bottom of the system that will provide added UV (ultra-violet) protection and will help to increase a building’s thermal performance, therefore reduce air-conditioning costs, the spokesman says.
Among the first prestigious projects where Liquid Plastics’ products were specified in the region in the 1970s was Sharjah International Airport in the UAE, whose roof was made up of a series of glassfibre-reinforced plastic (GRP) domes. The system used at the time came with a 10-year expected lifespan. However, the coating remained in an excellent condition for 20 years, far exceeding its anticipated durability and in 1999, the airport authorities – confident of the performance of Liquid Plastics’ products – signed up Liquid Plastics to have the domes reapplied with the product.
Systems that protect roofs are one of the key products from Liquid Plastics. They use high-performance polyurethane membranes as the waterproofing layer, which are completely cold applied and cure to provide a seamless, watertight finish and thus have numerous advantages over traditional systems. They are also highly durable, elastomeric, UV stable and can be guaranteed to last for up to 25 years, the spokesman points out
Apart from the inverted roof system, Liquid Plastics is also renowned for its cold fusion-bonded built-up roofing system that exceeds the highest industry standards and eliminates many problems such as roof fires associated with using traditional heat-applied systems, he says. The system is suitable for any deck where a built-up roofing system can be applied and can be cold fusion bonded or mechanically fixed.
Elaborating about the system, the spokesman says: “At the heart of this revolutionary built-up roofing technology is Decostik, a cold fusion bonded roofing adhesive. It provides excellent adhesion due to its ability to penetrate fibrous materials and surface irregularities in non-porous substances, forming an intimate cold fusion bond. This zero heat, zero flame system has the highest fire ratings and is exceptionally durable, UV stable and rapid curing. It consists of Liquid Plastics’ vapour control layer, an insulation layer, a carrier membrane and a Decothane seamless cap sheet, all laid using Decostik cold fusion adhesive. The Decothane seamless cap sheet is available in several colours, with skid-inhibiting options and is complemented by a wide range of accessories. A tapered system can also be supplied, if required.”
Established in 1963 in Preston in the UK, Liquid Plastics is a frontrunner in its field, with its products used in projects across the globe, from the Arctic Circle to the Arabian Gulf. Liquid Plastics prides itself on its innovative products and a great deal of time and money is spent researching and developing new and even more advanced products, that seek to fulfill the need of demanding climatic conditions. Its extensive portfolio includes seamless waterproof membrane technology and built-up roof systems, protective and decorative systems for external walls, functional and decorative waterproofing for balconies and communal walkways, technologically advanced hygiene systems, car park systems and others such as asbestos encapsulation, fire protection, concrete repair among others.
The company now has plans to expand sales of its technologically advanced coatings in the Middle East, and has recently appointed Gaby Shaar, as its new regional manager, based in Bahrain.
“Liquid Plastics is committed to growth and expansion in the Gulf region, and is confident that with the help of its contractors and in conjunction with key specifiers, it will make an even bigger impression over the next 30 years,” the spokesman concludes.