MATERIALS | WATERPROOF MEMBRANES
Right: A Solmax
conductive liner, with spark tester, ensured leak-free installation in a frac pond project
to minimise the size of the supernatant pond on each TSF. The project involved the construction of a TSF lined with a geosynthetic barrier made from 1.5mm HDPE geomembrane. The facility has a planned impoundment volume of 23 million m³ over five years.
As with previous projects, a major challenge was
that work needed to be carried out during the short dry season between December and April, giving Solmax and its installation partner Yesti a window of 120 days. The smooth HDPE geomem- brane formed the critical containment component of the project, with a single-sided textured surface liner on the slopes around the structure. The liner has high resistance to UV exposure, weathering and harsh chemicals. The material is specially formulated to exceed the service life and aftercare period of the mine, says the company.
Leak location In Laredo, Texas, a frac pond project demonstrated the role of advanced geosynthetic technologies in enhancing hydraulic fracturing operations. The project involved the injection and subsequent containment of large volumes of water mixed with chemicals. To prevent environmental contamination, the
Below: Goimek has achieved better internal temperature control with a new roof from Renolit
project used a sophisticated liner system, compris- ing a primary conductive HDPE liner coupled with a drainage net, designed to secure the chemical- laden water once it resurfaced. One challenge was to ensure a leak-free installation – which was performed with an S-100 spark tester. The conductive liners, combined with the S-100 spark tester, made the spark testing survey more efficient. This allowed the installation team to quick- ly adapt to using the S-100 and identify and repair a liner puncture within minutes.
Temperature control
Spanish manufacturing company Goimek has achieved better internal temperature control for its building by installing a new roof from Renolit Alkorplan. The 1.5mm thick roof membrane is light in colour and provides water tightness, mechanical and chemical resistance, and energy saving. It is 60% more efficient than a standard coloured membrane, says Renolit, with a higher longevity than competing products. The 8,700 sq m roof has a 20-year warranty that achieves better energy performance – and thus greater sustainability. “Renolit’s synthetic membrane roofing products give a perfect water tightness and allows us to keep a total control of the temperature inside the building all year round,” said Mikel Irureta Iturrino, environmental health, and safety manager at Goimek. “In addition, it allows us to be more energy efficient and have a high grade of comfort and wellness for the workers.”
Cutting carbon on the roof Renolit’s single-ply roofing membranes have also been used as part of a ‘green’ renovation project for the Maremagnum shopping centre in Barcelona. Owner Klepierre invested €18 million, as it wanted to offer a better service without increasing carbon footprint. Specifically, it wanted to cover the second floor of the shopping centre and reshape it to create the space for a new food market. “In reference to the roof, it was fundamental that it contributed to a passive solution” said Pamela Martin, of L35 Architects. “We looked for a material that guarantees a solar reflectance index that does not accumulate energy in the covering itself – thus avoiding the heat island effect.” The company’s Bright roofing membrane is white throughout (both underneath and on the
30 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | May 2025
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: RENOLIT
IMAGE: SOLMAX
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