The Civil Engineering Contractor February 2018 | Page 42

SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS
New standard in plaster innovation
Cemteq has researched and developed a unique blend of Perlite,
cement, admixtures, fibres, and waterproofing agents in a
bag, using Perlite as a replacement for traditional aggregate in
plaster/rendering.
Perlite is a naturally occurring amorphous volcanic glass
formed by the rapid cooling and solidification of volcanic lava,
which traps crystalline water into its mass.
The highest quality raw Perlite is imported from Turkey and
heat processed in Wadeville by its sister company, Sun Silicates,
using state-of-the-art technology. The process of exfoliating
Perlite is based on the presence of 2–6% combined water in
raw Perlite rock. When quickly heated to above 870°C, the raw
particles expand to approximately four to 20 times their original
volume as the combined water vaporises and creates countless
tiny bubbles in the glassy material.
This results in a material that offers excellent thermal and
acoustic insulation properties on floors, walls, and roofs, with
excellent lightweight and fireproof properties. Perlite is also
chemically inert, non-combustible, odourless, and durable, is
pH neutral and has a very low carbon footprint. Not only does
Perlite meet the highest sustainable engineering standards, but
one of its distinguishing characteristics is its snow-white colour
when exfoliated.
Exfoliated Perlite is available from Sun Silicates in a variety of
grades for various applications, including in refractory materials,
filter aids for wine, beer, fruit juices, and edible oils as a highly
effective growing media for the hydroponics, horticultural, and
agricultural industries, as well as fillers for the paint industry.
Perlite can be used as a replacement for
traditional aggregate in plaster/rendering.
40 - CEC February 2018