Bahrain-based Al Nasir Concrete Repairs and Trading is aggressively marketing a fibreglass woven fabric which is used for the reinforcement of walls.

The company holds the Gulfwide agency for the mesh Paladin, which is manufactured by the Germany-based Vitrulan which has been manufacturing fibreglass woven fabrics since 1921.

The material is an ideal replacement for galvanised meshes as it does not rust, says Jalil Al Sairafi, manager.

"Galvanised meshes used in reinforcement applications need to be nailed into position which damages their protective layer," he points out.

"Fibreglass meshes, on the other hand, are embedded in the plaster. In addition, they are homogenous with the blockwork because of their composition. They are made of pure mineral raw material - mainly sand quartz - the same substances the plaster is made of, giving an inseparable bond between mesh and plaster.

"The fibreglass mesh significantly improves the mechanical resistance of plaster or any liquid coating and prevents the occurrence of shrinkage cracks or surface crazing, because of its high tension strength and low elongation coefficient."

Paladin meshes are widely used for plaster reinforcement of internal and external wall systems in new-build as well as repair applications to prevent cracks and to bridge surface defects.

The mesh is available in a wide range of grades to meet the higher strength requirements of larger buildings.

It is also used as a coating reinforcement and as a component of the EIFS (exterior insulation and finishing system) in insulation applications.

Al Nasir introduced Paladin meshes in the region in 1995. It has distributors in Dubai.

A number of private and public buildings in the Gulf have been reinforced with the mesh. In Dubai, the mesh has been recently been used in the following projects: Grand Hyatt Hotel and Furnished Apartments, Dubai Marina, Emirates Lake villas, Dubai Media City, Royal Mirage Hotel and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel's chalets.

In Bahrain, it has been used in the construction of Al Dana Novotel Resort, a Ministry of Housing project, Zayed Town, BMMI headquarters in Sitra and the Citibank headquarters in Seef.