Penetron Provides Concrete Durability for Uzbekistan Steel Mill

The Tashkent Metallurgical Plant in the Yangikhayot district of Tashkent, Uzbekistan was commissioned by the country’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at an official ceremony in December 2020. The Penetron System was specified to waterproof and protect the below-grade concrete structures.

The Tashkent Metallurgical Plant (TMZ) produces cold-rolled sheet and coated rolled metallurgical products. Now one of the largest manufacturing plants in the country, the new facility is the keystone project in a national effort to diversify the Uzbekistani economy and reduce the country’s dependence on metallurgical imports.

“The main goal of our efforts is to create a cluster with a full cycle of production of finished metal products from scratch,” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted.

The TMZ facility will produce 500,000 tons of zinc and polymer coated metal sheets annually, which will meet urgent domestic demand for hundreds of local enterprises engaged in production of building materials (metal tiles, air ducts, sandwich panels, roll-formed profiles, light steel thin-walled structures), household appliances, electrical and food products, and the domestic auto industry (car body parts). In addition, the plant will generate exports of US$90 million per year.
 

Working with Covid Delays

Construction of the $420 million project was managed by SFI Management Group, built by the Russian Metprom Group, and outfitted with Danieli automated manufacturing systems. Currently, about 700 people work at TMZ with plans to expand to 5,000 workers.

“Despite delays in the construction schedule due to the Covid pandemic, the TMZ project was completed last month and is now ramping up production,” explains Igor Chernogolov, President of Penetron Russia.

The Penetron System was specified for all below-grade concrete structures at the TMZ to protect against exposure to groundwater and ensure a durable foundation for the giant plant. PENETRON ADMIX was added to the concrete mix for the foundation slab and retaining walls. To complete the Penetron System, a combination of PENETRON surface-applied, integral crystalline waterproofing material and PENECRETE MORTAR was applied to fill the form tie-holes, waterproof construction joints, and repair cracks throughout the TMZ facility.
 

Non-Soluble Crystals Seal Cracks

Once applied to a prepared concrete surface, the proprietary chemicals in all Penetron System products react in a catalytic reaction with moisture to generate a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete. This formation permanently seals micro-cracks, pores and capillaries against the penetration of water or liquids from any direction. The non-soluble crystalline formation generated by Penetron crystalline materials becomes an integral part of the concrete matrix and performs consistently during the service life of the concrete.

“The Penetron System also gives concrete the ability to self-heal hairline cracks that may form in the future,” adds Igor Chernogolov. “Penetron-treated concrete is maintenance free, which helps minimize future maintenance and repair costs.”