SOPREMA UK
SOPREMA HOUSE
FREEBOURNES ROAD
WITHAM
ESSEX CM8 3UN
Tel: 0330 058 0668
Fax: 0845 194 8728
Suppliers of: Waterproofing roofing membranes, Structural waterproofing membranes, flat roof waterproofing, green roof waterproofing, liquid waterproofing membranes, liquid membranes, metal roof decking, waterproofing systems
SOPREMA is an international manufacturer, offering innovative and cost effective waterproofing, insulation and soundproofing solutions and services both directly and through our network of distribution partners – enabling our customers to Build Better Buildings
WATERPROOFING PRODUCTS:
SOPREMA has over a century of experience manufacturing and developing highly efficient and reliable waterproofing systems in line with the ever-changing demands of the construction industry. One of the leading innovators in our field, we offer waterproofing solutions that range from bituminous waterproofing and liquid waterproofing to PVC waterproofing and TPO waterproofing (synthetic waterproofing). Our DUOFLEX Hot Melt structural waterproofing system is characterised by low lifecycle costs, self-healing properties and unrivalled waterproofing performance for inverted flat roof and podium deck applications.
BITUMINOUS WATERPROOFING
Protection against the elements. Our modified bitumen APP or SBS reinforced membranes have a high resistance and long service life.
SYNTHETIC WATERPROOFING
Synthetic TPO and PVC for innovative roofing structures, underground works, flat, inverted, cool and ballasted roofing applications.
LIQUID WATERPROOFING
A popular solution for roofing and sealing of roof details, terraces, balconies and parking garages. Aesthetic finishing options available.
STRUCTURAL WATERPROOFING
A bituminous hot melt system, designed for longevity and low life cycle costs. Applications include inverted roofs, ballasted and green roofs etc.
INSULATION PRODUCTS:
SOPREMA is not only recognised as a global leader in waterproofing, but also in insulation. Insulating buildings with durable, efficient and high-quality products and systems becomes increasingly important to help the current housing stock become futureproof, making it more energy-efficient and sustainable, and to adapt it to the changing climate. SOPREMA manufactures both thermal and acoustic insulation systems. We offer a wide range of XPS roof insulation boards of varying thickness, as well as PIR insulation. In addition, we lead the way in natural insulation with PAVATEX, a range of wood fibre insulation products with excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
PIR INSULATION
A wide range of PIR Insulation Solutions for all types of construction.
SOPRA XPS INSULATION
An extensive range of XPS Insulation Boards in a variety of thickness and specification.
ACOUSTIC INSULATION
Our range of Acoustic Insulation provides excellent sound absorbing as well as thermal qualities.
PAVATEX WOOD FIBRE INSULATION
A wide range of wood fibre insulation products with excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
MINERAL INSULATION
A range of natural products avaialble as loose fill and additives.
SOLUTIONS FOR WATERPROOFING BASEMENTS:
From ready-to-use emulsion primers and cold applied bituminous primers like AQUADERE STICK and ELASTOCOL 600 to waterproofing membranes such as COLPHENE: SOPREMA provides high-quality and easy-to-apply solutions for waterproofing basement walls and floors. The COLPHENE waterproofing range offers premium performance and durability for any below-ground waterproofing project. The bitumen membranes in our range for waterproofing basements are renowned for their innovation. COLPHENE BSW H and COLPHENE BSW V membranes, for instance, feature a unique SOPREMA technology called DUO SELVEDGE that guarantees safer installation. COLPHENE®1500, in turn, is an anti-root waterproofing membrane with excellent mechanical resistance and ditto adherence to an exceptionally wide range of substrates.
GREEN ROOF SYSTEMS:
Extensive green roofs (or sedum roofs) and intensive green roofs offer plenty of advantages. Turning mineral surfaces into green oases and creating new ecosystems, they reduce the urban heat island effect, increase biodiversity, improve water retention and filtration, and have excellent soundproofing and thermal insulation qualities. We provide regular green roof solutions that can easily be installed on all SOPREMA roofing and waterproofing systems, as well as inverted green roof systems with standard insulation or eco insulation. SOPREMA’s solutions for green roofs are specially designed with light weight, low maintenance, and ease of design and installation in mind.
SOLUTIONS FOR SOLAR ENERGY MANAGEMENT:
From photovoltaic mounting systems to coatings and primers for cool roofs: SOPREMA has you covered when it comes to solar energy management on flat roofs. Our cool roofing products include ALSAN REFLECTROOF PRIMER, a white pigmented, fast‐curing PMMA-based primer, and ALSAN REFLECTROOF COATING, a stable, abrasion- and UV-resistant, pigmented methyl methacrylate-based resin formulation that is fast-curing, solvent-free and helps increase the reflectivity of bitumen and asphalt substrates. For solar panel roofing or solar roofs, our SOPRASOLAR FIX attachment system (with its rail protectors, support clips and speed clips) helps create a solar roof system of rigid photovoltaic panels directly on top of a waterproofing membrane.
WATERPROOFING CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES:
SOPREMA’s synthetic waterproofing (FLAGON) and bituminous waterproofing (ANTIROCK) product lines are suited to any type of civil engineering project, no matter its size or complexity. When it comes to synthetic waterproofing, we offer both TPO and PVC membranes that are bound to meet your project requirements, such as high resistance to wearing, tearing and puncture. Looking for solutions for waterproofing road bridges, rail bridges, basins, parking decks, dams, tunnels or other civil engineering structures? SOPREMA has got you covered with a product offer ranging from engineering membranes to primers and sealers, and even installation equipment. In the latter category, we have the MACADEN, a fully automatic machine with two hot air nozzles for installing thermofusible bituminous rolls on bridges and carparks, and the MINI-MACADEN, a smaller, self-propelled and self-guided machine for laying bituminous membranes.
Knowledge sharing by SOPREMA - SOPRAVOICE
SOPREMA’s reputation has been built on product quality, innovation and technical expertise. Sopravoice is SOPREMA’s waterproofing and insulation knowledge sharing platform. In this section of the website you will find tips and tricks from our experts, advice and thematic articles discussing important topics related to the waterproofing & insulation industry.
Further technical information is avaialble to download from the BPi Download Libraey or directly from the Manufacturer’s own website.
Green building: SOPREMA leads the way with new XPS plant in Belgium
Technology and ecology go hand in hand at the new SOPREMA XPS plant in Tongeren, Belgium, which stands out in terms of both design and carbon footprint.
For their new plant in Tongeren, Belgium, SOPREMA presented architectural firm WIL-MA Wastiau with a well-defined task: to design a highly functional production and distribution centre that puts ecology first. The collaboration resulted in a fossil-free, nearly zero-energy industrial building with Corten steel accents and green roofs that effortlessly blend into the landscape.
Sustainable product, sustainable building
For SOPREMA, taking the green road for its new XPS production plant and distribution centre in Tongeren was a logical thing to do. Sustainable building practices are not only the sole futureproof option available; they also tie in neatly with the sustainable character of SOPREMA’s XPS range itself, which is 100% recyclable and produced by climate-friendly CO2 technology – with Green Guide Ratings A for SOPRA XPS SL and XPS 500 as a result. For the new Tongeren building, SOPREMA ambitiously and successfully opted for circular construction, with the help of WIL-MA Wastiau and construction firm Cordeel.
Green roofing as ‘fifth façade’
“Integrating a functional logistical complex into its surroundings was the first challenge we faced”, W. Allen Zimmerman (Chief Architect at WIL-MA Wastiau) explains. “We were inspired by the rectangular farmhouses typical of the region. To make the building blend into the landscape, we experimented with green roofing, which is quite unique for industrial construction projects.” Because the SOPREMA plant is situated lower than the adjacent highway, the green roofs form a fifth façade, blending into the environment thanks to their green and earthy colours. As a living material, the Corten steel of the office buildings even strengthens the connection to the complex’s surroundings. Finally, by having the curves of the design refer to the trunk of the mammouth in the SOPREMA logo, the overall look underlines SOPREMA’s brand identity.
Completely circular building
“We went to great lengths to create a completely circular concept that aligns the flow of the products with the flow of the people working in the building”, Zimmerman continues. “On the one hand, there is the production site, where used XPS and EPS are recycled into new products. And on the other, you have the distribution centre, featuring a warehouse that ships other SOPREMA products to locations all over Europe. We also split the offices of both business units. A covered walkway in Corten steel connects the buildings, simultaneously creating a visual barrier that hides the XPS stored in the courtyard from view”, Zimmerman adds. “In this phase, the walkway also ‘completes’ the project, even though the building will only assume its final ‘rectangular farmhouse’ shape at a later stage”, says Kristien Olaerts, Commercial Director at Cordeel.
SOPREMA’s insulation and waterproofing solutions
The SOPREMA building covers an area of 23,000 m2. “To implement the design, we of course relied on SOPREMA’s insulation and waterproofing solutions whenever possible, for the roofs, walls and floors”, Zimmerman explains. “One of the things I like most about working with SOPREMA is that they are so closely involved in the selection of the materials. Thanks to the flexibility and resourcefulness of the SOPREMA team, we ended up with quite the unusual flooring choice for a large part of the 23,000 m2 offices, namely beautiful black polyurethane from the ALSAN liquid waterproofing range.” Olaerts adds that the floor of the 7,500 m2 production hall was insulated with SOPRA XPS, and that Cordeel used the same insulation material between the concrete panels of their own building at the Cordeel production site.
Various roofing shapes and build-ups
The design of the building is highly complex, with a wide range of roofing shapes and build-ups on various substrates, from steel deck to concrete. On the buildings along the highway, an intensive green roof with a substantial layer of substrate and thick vegetation (on the roofs of the office buildings) merges into an extensive green roof with more thinly planted vegetation (for the roof of the production site). The fire compartmentation is nearly invisible. IBIC, a sister company of Cordeel, took care of the green roofing and all the roof safety solutions.
“We are very proud to have been a part of this unique, complex project, which was quite challenging both in terms of engineering and technique.”
Kristien Olaerts, Commercial Director at Cordeel
Tight schedule for the (green) roofs
“The tight schedule we were on, combined with the high level of finishing that was required, did not make for the easiest working conditions”, Olaerts admits. “In April 2019, we were asked to have the production part of the building ready by September, so that the machinery could be installed. Fortunately (and for obvious reasons), we had swift access to the materials we needed. In addition, the thorough 3D planning, the prefabricated character of the building and the excellent collaborations (with all the parties involved in the construction process as well as with the authorities) ensured that we were completely prepared for the job.”
“We created a kind of ‘factory campus’ – a beautiful place to work that makes people feel right at home. That human touch was an important part of the ecological concept, too.”
Allen Zimmerman, Chief Architect at WIL-MA Wastiau
Durable, sustainable, fossil-free and nearly zero-energy
“At SOPREMA’s explicit request, the construction site was low-energy and fossil-free”, Olaerts explains. The use of heat pumps and heat recuperation has resulted in a nearly zero-energy warehouse and zero-energy offices. The green roofs not only create a stunning look but also act as a buffer and allow excess water to drain away. On some of the other roofs, in turn, solar panels were installed. Zimmerman clarifies that second life-principles were rigorously applied as well: “Though the building was designed specifically for SOPREMA, it is perfectly suited for a second life, too. Thanks to its durable materials and robust and functional character, the plant would make a great home for any company. We purposely created an industrial work environment with a human feel – a ‘factory campus’, if you will, that people love to spend time in and work in.”
SOPREMA’s products for road maintenance and road repairs
When it comes to road maintenance and repair, both sustainability (i.e. repairs must be durable, with materials that can withstand operating conditions) and safeguarding the health and comfort of workers are key, while delays must be kept to an absolute minimum. SOPREMA’s dedicated road solutions are not only rapid curing and easy to transport: also taking away the need for traditional hot works, they are simpler and safer to apply.
Road maintenance and repair: applications and products
SOPREMA has developed a range of specific solutions for a wide variety of road works.
1. Reinforcements
In the case of (recurrent) potholes, cracked curves or junctions, a settlement and weakening of the road structure is to blame – the so-called ‘pumping’ phenomenon. SOPREMA’s anti-pumping solution Stratos R5 strengthens the asphalt layers, increases the load distribution cone and ensures that the layers of the pavement are watertight, thus preventing water from penetrating the asphalt surfaces and the destruction of the road structure.
2. Joining
In addition, we offer premium products to repair joints, junctions and grouts in the context of road, rail and airport works. Our solutions can be used to create concrete-asphalt, asphalt-asphalt and metal-asphalt junctions, as well as hydrocarbon-resistant and kerosene-resistant joints. Stratos R1, Stratos R3 and Stratos R4, which come in prefabricated form (elastomer bitumen) or in cans (elastomer bitumen or resins), adapt to all geometries and applications.
3. Crack filling
We offer Stratos R2 for crack-filling, as well as Transifal C-40 (a hot pourable sealing joint). The former allows repairs to be directly circulated, eliminating the need for mechanical protection.
4. Road repairs
For repairing the support, SOPREMA proposes Stratos R6, Stratos 77, Stratos 78 or ALSAN 052RS. ALSAN’s quick curing time enables repairs overnight: if the temperature is alright, the curing will go on during the night, allowing the road to reopen the next morning.
5. Floor paints
Finally, our range features floor paint products for creating coloured areas on asphalt. Think of lineage and pedestrian traffic areas in car parks, markings on sports fields, and event markings and decorative parts in pedestrian areas. The advantages offered by Stratos 71 and Stratos 72, both based on PMMA resins, include:
Speedy application (the paints are completely dry within minutes).
The choice between manual application or by projection.
The availability of different types of finishes: by adding aggregates, the finish texture can be adapted, allowing you to meet all the requirements in terms of traction.
An extensive range of colours.
Antirock Bridge: approved by Highways England
While the Stratos range is specifically designed for road repairs – increasing the longevity of the existing structure and limiting any further damage – SOPREMA also produces solutions for full bridge decks. Antirock Bridge, a reinforced SBS-modified bitumen waterproofing membrane for road bridges, rail bridges, car parks and slabs directly underneath one or more layers of asphalt (up to 200°C), is BBA-certified and approved by Highways England.
Mini Mammouth
Antirock Bridge, as well as all SOPREMA bonded bituminous membranes, SBS and APP solutions, can be installed using the Mini Mammouth. The machine covers 800 to 1,000 m² per day with a two- to three-men team, consisting of an operator for steering and an assistant for loading the rolls on the machine (and possibly a welder to take care of the ends of each roll) – compared to a two-person team that would manually cover only approximately 200 m² per day. In addition to the impressive speed of application (and hence the lower cost), the Mini Mammouth guarantees a consistent welding quality and increased safety (limiting the usage of flames while still ensuring the membrane is evenly and sufficiently heated).
