The release agent for superior fairfaced concrete

Release and cleaning agents play a vital role in the production of concrete elements. IDEAL Beton, a manufacturer of precast concrete elements based in Montabaur, Germany, confidently relies on Master Builders Solutions’ bio-based portfolio of MasterFinish products. The result: virtually void-free surfaces, reduced cleaning costs and an extension in formwork service life.

“We place high demands on the quality of our concrete elements.”

Sascha Stroeder, Managing Director, IDEAL Beton

IDEAL Beton, Germany

IDEAL Beton specializes in the production of concrete elements for basements and prefabricated timber-framed houses. The company is part of the HUF Group and exclusive supplier for the popular range of prefabricated HUF houses: “With regard to the concrete elements, it is important to have flawless surfaces”, says managing director Sascha Stroeder. Customer requirements are high, and the fairfaced concrete has to be particularly smooth and of superior esthetics. Furthermore, sustainability is crucial for the company. This is why IDEAL Beton, for their release agent too, have opted for an eco-friendly product. “In the combination of a MasterFinish release agent and a MasterFinish cleaner we have found a solution that is exempt from hazardous labeling and that meets our high demands in terms of fairfaced-concrete quality”, Sascha Stroeder says. “Furthermore, cleaning costs have been reduced by approximately 30 percent, and formwork service life has increased by 50%.”

Quantified Sustainable Benefits

Opting for MasterFinish, IDEAL Beton has gained substantial quantifiable and sustainable benefits. In numbers:

50%

extension of formwork service life

Previously, formwork tables and rails where dirty and showed signs of corrosion. MasterFinish has reduced the residue on the formwork and extended formwork service life by 50 percent.**Figures provided are based on an actual case from the precast concrete element factory IDEAL Beton in Montabaur, Germany. The value is defined for the combination of MasterFinish CLN 689 with MasterFinish RL 297 or MasterFinish RL 211.

30%

cost reduction

Cleaning of the formwork has become easier, saving time and costs. Since application is no longer carried out manually, but using a spray-bar system, release-agent dosage quantities could be reduced.**Figures provided are based on an actual case from the precast concrete element factory IDEAL Beton in Montabaur, Germany. The value is defined for the combination of MasterFinish CLN 689 with MasterFinish RL 297 or MasterFinish RL 211.

98%

renewable raw materials

The MasterFinish products used are based on renewable raw materials and are readily biodegradable.**Figures provided are based on an actual case from the precast concrete element factory IDEAL Beton in Montabaur, Germany. The value is defined for the combination of MasterFinish CLN 689 with MasterFinish RL 297 or MasterFinish RL 211.

“A great product that works very well for our purposes.”

Sascha Stroeder, Managing Director, IDEAL Beton

Both products used – the MasterFinish cleaner and the MasterFinish release agent – are readily biodegradable and are made using renewable raw materials only. In contrast to mineral-oil-based products, no additional CO2 is released when the material burns up. This makes MasterFinish the perfect solution, combining superior visuals, profitability and eco-friendliness. Customer feedback has also been extremely positive. Sascha Stroeder: “At the construction site, the first impression is: Wow – this is a great, superior-grade concrete element!”

“What makes our solution package so special is its combination of cleaner and emulsion.”

Cengizhan Zor, Marketing Auxiliaries DACH, Master Builders Solutions

The MasterFinish portfolio supports a wide variety of specific applications. “In the case of IDEAL Beton, we tested a wide range of products locally for a week to select the right combination of products”, reports Cengizhan Zor, Marketing Auxiliaries DACH at Master Builders Solutions. While the release-agent emulsion provides perfect formwork removal after each concreting cycle, the cleaner is used once a week. “This makes formwork cleaning significantly more straightforward. All rust, foamed-polystyrene and cement residue present on the tables can be removed, and perfect void-free surfaces are the result”, Cengizhan Zor says. And since the release agent is no longer applied manually, but using a spray-bar system, dosage quantities could be reduced as well, resulting in further cost reductions.