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Concrete Ideas for a Green Future

Arab Construction World – August 2009

Integral Crystalline Waterproofing Technology from Kryton

“When you hear the innovation that’s taking place … that gets you excited about the future,” said US President Barack Obama. President Obama was speaking in July after meeting with energy CEOs about creating a clean and sustainable future and one of the products he learned about that impressed him was integral waterproofing for concrete.

New concrete materials, he told reporters, “last longer and are waterproofed from the inside out, and that can mean that bridges and roads and buildings can last 20 or 30 years longer than using conventional concrete.”

Technologies for waterproofing concrete from the inside out are gaining in popularity. This has led to a plethora of new products that work within the concrete itself to create a watertight structure that lasts longer and is better for the environment. But it is not a new concept. In fact, “integral crystalline waterproofing” has been around for decades. So why is this concept only now earning the attention of world leaders like Obama?

Growing global pressure to “go green” has spurred discussions and exploration into new technologies. But it is also re-opening the door for tried, tested and true eco-friendly products that may not have garnered the attention they deserve until now.

Kryton International Inc., a Canadian company with global reach, developed the world’s first integral crystalline waterproofing admixture. Integral crystalline waterproofing creates dry, durable concrete structures, keeping repair and maintenance costs down while reducing costs in the long and short term. It is also environmentally responsible, extending the serviceable life of concrete structures reducing jobsite waste and enabling the future recycling of concrete materials.

Traditional waterproofing usually involves placing membranes on the outside of concrete structures. Membranes are often petroleum-based and are applied using adhesives with high volatile organic compounds. Not only do they deteriorate over time, resulting in leaks and the need for costly repairs, but they also prevent the concrete from being recycled when the structure’s useful life is over.

Forward-thinking architects and engineers choose Kryton’s Krystol technology for its environmental attributes as well as its waterproofing ability. When combined with water and unhydrated cement particles, the proprietary Krystol chemicals react to form millions of needle-like crystals inside the concrete. These crystals fill the concrete’s naturally-occurring pores and voids, providing permanent waterproof protection. Kryton’s crystalline technology also has the ability to self-seal the hairline cracks that develop in concrete, protecting structures against water and contaminants that can weaken or destroy concrete and corrode steel reinforcements.

Kryton’s flagship product, Krystol Internal Membrane (better known as KIM), is an admixture for new concrete that combines the waterproofing step with concrete placing. It reduce site disturbance by eliminating the need to excavate for membrane application. It also contributes to more efficient concrete waste management as concrete treated with KIM can be recycled. KIM is available in mixer-ready bags, which further minimizes construction waste. KIM contains no volatile organic compounds and is non-toxic, improving indoor environmental quality. Finally, Krystol contributes to the overall durability and life expectancy of a building by stopping corrosion and other detrimental effects of water damage.

Kryton has distributors throughout the world, including in many Arab countries. The company has also recently opened a sales office in Dubai to better serve its customers in the region. Kryton has built a reputation as a trusted and sustainable concrete waterproofing solution. Plus, Kryton is at the forefront of waterproofing concrete from the inside out, a concept that is being touted by major world players as a significant contributor to a cleaner energy future.