Waterproof Coiled Polymer Materials Have Bright Development Prospects

By Tian Fenglan, Liu Zhiwei and Liu Guogang, Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology Co Ltd

Consumption of waterproof coiled polymer materials is growing in China

China's consumption of waterproof coiled polymers materials have increased rapidly over recent years. The domestic output of waterproof coiled polymers materials reached 187.42 million square meters in 2011, accounting for 15.58% of the total output in China. Waterproof coiled polymer materials in China are classified three - rubber, resin and rubber plastics blending. Rubber variety of waterproof coiled polymer materials contains mainly EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), which has been promoted in the construction industry during 2000-2010. Other rubber varieties such as chlorinated polyethylene (over 35% of chlorine substitution), chloroprene rubber and chlorosulfonated polyethylene have very few applications. In resin varieties, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dominates the roofing material market, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and ethylene copolymers modified bitumen (ECB) are mainly used in underground engineering and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane widely used in seepage control engineering. In recent years, the consumption of the polyethylene-polypropylene fiber coiled materials with a low price has been relatively large. Chlorinated polyethylene-acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (CPA) blending coiled materials dominated the domestic market in the late 1990s, however, it gradually withdrew from the market as new waterproof coiled polymer materials are emerging after 2000,.
   The fast development of waterproof coiled polymer material in China happened in the mid 1990s when thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPO) based waterproof coiled material and its single ply roofing system and HDPE self-adhered membrane waterproof coiled material as well as its pre-laid construction technology was imported from abroad. As the roof of foreign large industrial plants in China made in steel structure and the design used mature single ply roofing mechanical fixation system, China's consumption of TPO waterproof coiled polymer material grows unexpectedly. The HDPE self-adhered membrane waterproof coiled materials have also widely used in underground engineering.
   According to the projection made by China National Building Waterproof Association, the output of waterproof coiled polymer materials in China will reach 206.16 million square meters in 2012, up around 10% year-on-year.

Table 1 Output of Waterproof Materials (million square meters, %)
Product    Output in 2011    Output in 2012 (expected)    YoY growth (expected)
Total of waterproof materials in building    1 203.15    1 343.11    12
New type waterproof materials    1 068.12    1 214.33    14
SBS/APP modified asphalt waterproof    coiled materials    317.31    368.08    16
Waterproof coiled polymer materials    187.42    206.16    10
Waterproof coatings    273.92    306.79    12
Self-adhered waterproof coiled materials    168.71    202.45    20
Fiberglass asphalt shingles    39.75    41.74    5
Other new type waterproof materials    81.01    89.11    10
Asphalt felt waterproof coiled materials    135.02    128.78    -5
Paper base petroleum asphalt felt    17.01    16.67    -2
Asphalt composite flexible waterproof coiled materials    118.01    112.11    -5

China should focus on the following seven aspects during 2011-2015:

1. Giving priority to the development of high performance elastomer modified asphalt waterproofing coiled materials, weldable waterproof coiled polymer materials and high polymer self-adhered membrane waterproof coiled materials, and self-adhered polymer modified asphalt waterproof coiled material.
2. Paying attention to the development of high performance and multiple kinetic polyurethane waterproof coatings, and self-healing polymer cement waterproof coatings.
3. Actively developing high performance silicone sealant for buildings, polyurethane sealant for building and butyl rubber sealing tape.
4. Accelerating the development of flame retardant waterproof materials and waterproof coatings for exposed roofing.
5. Improving and enhancing the properties of the rigid waterproof materials and plugging materials.
6. Encouraging the development of composite waterproof materials with the function of insulation, heat insulation, flame retardant, noise reduction and root resistance.
7. Developing new products like special asphalt for waterproof coiled material and low-temperature heating low-fume modified asphalt, etc.
   In the next five years, China's waterproof coiled polymer material sector will promote the uses of EPDM, TPO and PVC waterproof coiled material in the roof engineering, and EVA, ECB and HDPE self-adhered membrane waterproof coiled materials in underground engineering. Waterproof coiled polymer materials are expected to take the dominant position in the waterproofing market in China during 2011-2015, like modified asphalt materials.