COMPANY NEWS 18
NEW LABORATORY PROVIDING SOLUTIONS CMA non-pr oducer member Chr yso
new concrete aesthetic range. Accurate
Southern Africa has upgraded its Jet Park
measurement of colour can be conducted,
laboratory in order to expand its solutions
allowing customers to easily match the
to customers in fields including aggre-
colours required for a particular project.
gates, concrete aesthetics and cement.
The expansion of technology also means
S t a f f e d b y sp e cialis t engine er s
that the laboratory can scientifically
in interface physical chemistry, the
test demoulding oils, another important
laboratory conducts both research and
aspect of the company’s offering.
development (R&D) and testing. It also designs its own molecules for industrial-
Cement testing
scale production.
Mlalazi highlights that the laboratory has
“There are a number of challenges
expanded its expertise into cement test-
facing our customers, including energy
ing as well. “As part of our R&D function,
costs, environmental regulations and the
we’ve acquired additional equipment to
recently introduced carbon tax,” says
facilitate testing of cement,” she says.
Mpume Mlalazi, R&D man-
“This can now be done in a
ager at Chryso Southern
pure molecular chemistry
Africa. “By enhancing our
environment.”
world-class laboratory fa-
I n a d d i t i o n, m i c r o -
cility, Chryso can develop
concr ete evaluation is
solutions that mitigate
used to optimise admix-
these challenges.”
ture selection to cement performance. She empha-
Special services
sises that this work has
Among the capabilities
put the company “ahead
o f the labor ator y is a
of the game” in finding
recently-launched sand
energy-saving solutions
and
clay
diagnosis
and meeting the impact
tool (patent pending) f or accurate
of carbon tax legislation. The laboratory
quantification of delirious clay minerals
can assist with testing and R&D related
i n a g g r e g a t e s, s a y s M l a l a z i . T h i s
to both extended cement and concrete.
helps customers address the growing
“A l l w o r k i s c o n d u c t e d w i t h i n
issue of problematic aggregates in
stringent standards,” she says. “These
a cost-effective and environmentally
include the ISO 9001 quality system,
responsible way.
ISO 14001 for environmental protection
“Our solutions, rheology robustness
and ISO 18000 for safety. We also
enhancers and clay enablers use
test water quality to ensure we only
polymer science to allow customers
discharge clean water and recycle water
to use readily available aggregates,
wherever possible.”
without having to wash the material
T he company is committed to
ex tensi vely with water,” she says.
research, which is enhanced by collab-
“The environmental benefits of this
orations with local universities. The
technology are substantial, especially
laboratory also engages graduates from
in water-scarce areas.”
these universities, who are mentored
The facility has an extensive colourtesting capability to support Chryso’s
by Chryso specialists as part of their professional development.
“The company is committed to research, which is enhanced by collaborations with local universities.”
(Top): New laboratory equipment for wet cement chemistry testing. (Above left): Mpume Mlalazi, research and development manager at Chryso Southern Africa. (Above, from top): Spectrophotometer for colour measurement and polymer synthesis for rheology and clay enablers.
PRECAST | ISSUE ONE | 2020
