Meet the single-source supplier of commercial product systems: Tremco! The company's offerings include construction sealants, glazing and gaskets, waterproofing systems, roofing materials, and a lot more.

With an 80-year history, Tremco - recently launched in India - has pursued an innovative, problem-solving philosophy that has led to pioneering advances in chemical technology and product development. 'We believe connectivity is the key to sustainability and have designed compatible product systems to address the critical connections across the building enclosure where failures can occur,' says Sam Appiah, Vice President-International Business, Tremco, as he shares more with SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN.

Tell us about the product range for the Indian market.
We are introducing some innovative product technologies that will help the Indian commercial construction market address key elements of the building enclosure, while reducing construction cycle times and helping to ensure resilient, sustainable commercial structures. We have three groups of products. The first is a set of compatible green concrete technologies; the second, a silicone sheet extrusion that can be used to seal the window perimeter, EIFS joints, parapet walls, skylights and more; and the third is a roofing membrane system that can be used in both new construction and restoration works.

Green and damp concrete technologies: TREMproof® 250GC is a rapid-curing, high-solid, VOC-compliant modified polyurethane waterproofing membrane that can be applied to damp and green concrete. It is designed for use on backfilled walls, split slab applications, planters and submerged conditions. And, Dymonic® 100 is a high-performance, high-movement, single-component, medium modulus, low-VOC, UV-stable, non-sag polyurethane sealant.

It is designed for use in expansion and control joints, precast concrete panel joints, perimeter caulking (windows, doors, and panels), aluminium, masonry and vinyl siding. Also, Vulkem® 45SSL is a semi-self-levelling, single-component, moisture-curing, low-modulus, polyurethane sealant. It is designed for use in expansion joints in sidewalks, swimming pool decks, plazas, floors and any other horizontal surfaces with slopes up to 6 per cent (eg: 1' rise for every 16' run).

Silicone extruded sheet: Spectrem® Simple Seal is an ultra-low modulus, preformed silicone extrusion specifically designed to have high elongation properties. Simple Seal is typically bonded with Spectrem 1 Silicone Sealant to a wide range of substrates to provide a watertight seal. This has been designed for both new construction and restoration work involving window perimeters, EIFS joints, parapet walls, skylights, aluminium window seals, transition seals, curtain wall joints, sheet metal roof joints, and lap joints.

Roofing membrane system:
The AlphaGuard roofing system is a single-component, moisture-triggered roofing and waterproofing system that can be used in new construction or to restore or replace built-up, MB, coating and other kinds of roofing systems on a variety of decks.

How do these solutions cater to green buildings?
Green chemistry is a key focus for Tremco. We work proactively with regulatory bodies to address VOCs and chemicals of concern. Not only do many of our products help qualify for LEED credits, our Dymonic® 100 urethane sealant is one of the many products that are GREENGUARD Gold-certified (formerly known as GREENGUARD Children and Schools Certification), which offers stricter certification criteria, considers safety factors to account for sensitive individuals (such as children and the elderly), and ensures that a product is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities.

What is the emphasis laid on waterproofing systems to ensure protection, durability and performance?
A comprehensive, compatible set of product systems is absolutely essential in ensuring the long-term performance of a building envelope, which includes protecting energy performance and reducing our dependence on diminishing energy resources. Studies show that 40 per cent of energy consumption in buildings is caused by air leakage. Tremco is the only manufacturer that can offer single-source protection for all six sides of the building envelope.

We address the connections and terminations from below grade to the roof where costly failures are most common owing to air leakage and water infiltration.

What investments do you make annually towards R&D to stay up to date with the latest waterproofing solutions and technological advancements?
We have an ongoing, substantial investment in R&D, and that is why we are able to continually offer the market unique solutions to address our customers' needs. Tremco's green and damp concrete technologies are a great example of what comes out of our investment. We also believe that unless you have addressed design and assembly in a holistic way, you will always run the risk of negatively impacting efficiency, durability and occupant comfort. That is why in addition to R&D, we continue to invest heavily in testing our technologies both through third-party and in-house testing to ensure we surpass industry standards.

How do you view Tremco's growth in the Indian market in 2017-2018?
We feel we are off to a good start, and have some great local sales and technical representation to support our customers. Our goal is to continue to expand the breadth of the product offerings we can provide the Indian market by addressing each connection - below grade to the wall, deck to the wall, window to wall, the glazing pocket, and all the way to the roof - all with an eye to supporting commercial construction with technology systems that will address the long-term performance of the building envelope while helping to accelerate construction cycle times and ease of application.

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