a.b.e. PROTECTION FOR LARGEST MAN-MADE LAGOON IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

Caption: a.b.e. supplied a modified epoxy resin with impressive tack-free times for the priming of the concrete substrates of the Crystal Lagoon.

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals, South Africa’s major supplier of specialised construction products, has provided a wide variety of its products for the construction of Balwin Properties’ R9 billion Munyaka Estate in Waterfall City, Midrand.

The ultra-luxurious, award-winning project will, on completion, feature 5 020 apartments surrounding the spectacular Crystal Lagoon, which has the equivalent size of seven rugby fields and is the largest man-made lagoon in the southern hemisphere. The Munyaka Crystal Lagoon amenity – powered by sustainable technology patented in over 190 countries – will also feature a 50-metre high arched tower with restaurant, conference facility, heated pool fed by the lagoon, as well as zip-lines from the tower into the lagoon.

A variety of other services including a lifestyle centre, cinemas, and restaurants also form part of the spectacular project. Munyaka residents can laze on the Crystal Lagoon beach or swim, canoe or paddle-board in the lagoon. Balwin Properties has stated that Munyaka – which translates to ‘crystal’ in Venda – is a crown jewel in the Balwin portfolio and an exceptional South African sectional title product.

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals – a perennial favourite producer for both contractors and home improvers in South Africa – is now in its 91st year of operations, and recently became part of Saint-Gobain Africa.

Warren Trew, a.b.e.’s Regional Manager: GCN Inland, says to provide the high-build, durable, elastomeric coating which was essential for the beach areas and retaining walls of the lagoon at Munyaka, a.b.e. supplied two VIP products: VIP QuickPrime Epoxy SF 2K primer; and VIP QuickSpray Supreme AL, which contains a special aliphatic colour-fast material to protect the white colouring against potential discolouration by the Highveld’s fierce UV rays.

“VIP QuickPrime Epoxy SF 2K, a two-component, modified epoxy resin for the priming of concrete substrates, ensured proper adhesion of the VIP QuickSpray Supreme AL coating that followed.

“To provide the flexible, durable, tough protection essential at the new lagoon, the specified product was VIP QuickSpray Supreme AL (pure aliphatic polyurea), an exceptionally fast-setting, 100% solids coating/elastomer, based on the almost instantaneous chemical reaction of a special aliphatic pre-polymer resin blend. VIP QuickSpray Supreme AL’s intricate pore density provides excellent corrosion protection to all substrates and, once cured, ensures exceptional and durable protection at the lagoon.”

Trew says a.b.e.’s approved polyurea applicator, Akhanani Services, was contracted to handle the application of the two products. “Akhanani has the expertise and equipment for this specialised hot spray application.  Their stringent work effort, quality control and attention to detail ensured the project was successful, on time and approved by the international VIP quality control team”, Trew adds.

He says other a.b.e. products supplied for the beaches and walls at the Munyaka Estate project include:

• duraflex waterproofing slurry for coating around the external wall of the lagoon prior to back-filling;
• epidermix 318 cured epoxy and epoxy flooring resin used as scraper coat to fill indentations and blow holes exposed on the concrete surface;
• flexothane 27 moisture-curing polyurethane sealant for the sealing of the concrete floored beaches and walls;
• epidermix 389 epoxy for crack repairs to the beach floor areas; and
• duragrout GP grouting compound for grouting of the inlet filter boxes.

“a.b.e. and VIP provided technical support to ensure application of the highest standard, and the Quality Assurance programme implementation by Akhanani Services also helped to ensure the top-quality end-result,” Trew adds.