ADFIL OPENS NEW CONCRETE LABORATORY
Zele (Belgium), 7 September 2017 - Adfil, the high performance synthetic fibres brand of Low & Bonar has opened a new laboratory in Zele, Ghent for product development and to test performance of macro synthetic fibres for the construction industry.
The laboratory is able to evaluate and test fibres in fresh and hardened concrete to EN and ASTM standards. Construction of the laboratory forms part of Low & Bonar’s Group strategy to invest in growing markets, identify customers’ unmet needs and supply differentiated products.
Global Business Leader Tom Winters explained: “We want to supply the best macro synthetic fibres available in the market place. To this end, we have added a dedicated team of Concrete Technologists and Technical Sales Managers, extended manufacturing capability and increased production capacity over the past 24 months. With a well-filled new product development pipeline, the new laboratory will enable us to execute feasibility studies internally and move fibre innovations faster from concept to market.” A Civil Engineer and an Industrial Engineer have been hired to oversee the facility.
“Being able to perform tests that are compliant with international norms internally is a major step forward in our efforts to develop fibres for new applications,” said Development Engineer and Project Manager Özlem Aslan. “In established markets such as ground bearing applications it will facilitate the continual upgrade of the performance and ease of use of our fibres. In addition, ready-mix concrete producers, engineers and contractors will be able to have the fibres tested for specific projects in individual concrete mixes. This will help them prove and document the advantages of our macro synthetic fibres and back their commercial proposals towards their clients.”
The new building, which includes space for offices is situated on-premises next to Low & Bonar’s Zele fibre and nonwoven plants. “The breadth of our new in-house concrete testing capabilities and corresponding technical services is unique in the industry. Concrete is one of the most used construction materials globally. For the benefit of designers, contractors and project owners it is our goal to convert as much as possible from steel mesh to macro synthetic fibres. A goal which we can accomplish more smoothly now that this new laboratory is available,” Winters concluded.
Beam test being executed at the new Adfil laboratory