MATERIALS | WATERPROOF MEMBRANES


shear forces and wind loads perfectly.” This configuration, installed using hot-air


welding, allowed the tiles to be anchored without piercing the underlying waterproofing.


Ground sealing Agru recently supplied its geomembranes to a landfill project in Germany. The site is classified as a DK II (Landfill Class II)


Above: Renolit secured ceramic tiles in place without piercing the underlying waterproofing


which confirms our commitment to developing solutions that merge advanced safety with high- level architectural performance,” said Daria Barbieri, head of marketing at Renolit Alkorplan. The company also played a part in the construc-


tion of the Belgian Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, in a collaboration with the Belgian govern- ment. Using its Bright membrane guaranteed high-performance waterproofing and high solar reflectance that transformed the roof into an active ‘cool roof’. This optimised the energy efficiency of the pavilion and reduced the heat island effect.


Structural demand Roofing materials can sometimes be specified to meet structural demands – and that was the case for the Bellecour complex in Braine-l’Alleud in Belgium. Here, extreme slopes and a specific visual identity demanded a versatile and lightweight roofing solution that could turn a sculptural concept into a structural reality. The main difficulty was in the roof’s geometry. The surfaces featured sharp inclinations, with slopes ranging from 20° to nearly 70°. In a town centre location, managing these – alongside critical wind loads and shear forces – required a highly technical approach. Jaspers-Eyers Architects required a seamless


transition between the facade and the roof, creating a continuous ‘architectural skin’. This was made possible by Renolit’s Solar profiles. Originally designed for securing photovoltaics, these light- weight profiles served as a secure mounting base for ceramic tiles identical to those on the walls of the façade. “The greatest challenge was the record-breaking


inclinations,” said Bart Vanden Hautte, technical manager at Renolit Belgium. “By combining an Alkorplan F Classic membrane with our Solar profiles, we provided a solution that manages


38 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | May/June 2026


facility. This means it is authorised for the profes- sional disposal of both hazardous and non-hazard- ous mineral waste. This demanding environment requires a robust sealing system. To meet these stringent requirements, the geomembranes used in the project have BAM approval (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing). This guaran- tees that the material can withstand extreme stresses over many decades. Agru says its geomembranes were chosen for their long-term impermeability, chemical resist- ance, mechanical durability and weldability. Separately, its geomembranes have been used in a 60,000 sq m warehouse in Paderborn, Germany. At a time when logistics space and warehouse construction is increasing, so is the responsibility for soil and water protection. Storage and logistics facilities must meet many legal requirements. In the event of an accident, for instance, neither water- polluting substances nor firefighting water should seep into the ground. To ensure this, the space uses Agru’s HDPE plastic membrane liners. These have the DIBt approval needed for this application. Within a schedule of two months, the surface


area was professionally sealed alongside the ongoing construction process. It was covered with smooth 2mm Agru HDPE geomembrane. The material was selected to combine reliability


with efficient installation. It has high chemical resistance and durability, which withstands me- chanical stress even during construction. Thanks to its weldability and flexibility, complex details – such as the integration of many hall columns and the edge finishes – could be completed on schedule and with a permanent seal. “This project demonstrates that modern logistics


architecture and sustainable subgrade protection go hand in hand through the right choice of materials and expert installation,” said the company.


Facility changes Geomembranes producer Solmax has begun building its flagship European geosynthetics manufacturing site in Les Mureaux in France. The eight-hectare site will bring together Solmax’s European nonwoven geotextile opera-


www.filmandsheet.com


IMAGE: IMAGE: RENOLIT


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46