Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Dec 04, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Wednesday, Dec 04, 2002 |
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Corporate
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Announcements Cintec Intl keen on Indian operations Our Bureau
CHENNAI, Dec. 3 CINTEC International Ltd, a South Wales, UK-based company, specialising in structural reinforcement systems, says it is considering setting up a plant in India to offer its technology. Its Managing Director, Mr Peter James, who was part of a recent business delegation from Wales, told Business Line that it has developed structural repair and reinforcement systems that can be used to deal with damages to ancient buildings and monuments, and masonry bridges without having to deface the external structure. Mr James was here scouting for business opportunities. He is prepared to start operations in India, depending upon the business opportunities available. During his visit, he held discussions with railway engineers, conservation architects, structural engineers and also those interested in setting right a damaged portion of the Taj Mahal. The Cintec system, according to him, comprises a steel section within a mesh fabric sleeve, into which a specially developed cement grout is injected under pressure. The flexible sleeve of woven polyester restrains the flow and expands to about twice its normal diameter, moulding itself into the shape and spaces within the walls, providing a mechanical as well as chemical bond. Cintec, he says, has also developed an anchor system that is installed entirely within the fabric of the structure, leaving no visible change to the outward appearance, an aspect that will find favour with those concerned with heritage structures. Mr James said Cintec systems had been used in various buildings such as the Canadian Parliament buildings in Ottawa, the Bank of Montreal in Quebec, the Brandenburg Tower and Cathedral in Germany, and Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, Australia. Cintec had operations in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia. These structural reinforcement systems take much less time than if the restoration was to be done through traditional means. For instance, strengthening a masonry bridge could be accomplished in eight to 10 working days, without disrupting traffic, whereas doing it through the traditional method would take up to two-three months, with vehicular movement being stopped. Mr James said that Cintec used a software developed by a company called, Rockfield Software, that provided mathematical code which was used to look at each brick in a portion and predict behaviour from the point of view of the load it can take. He said that Cintec had contacted steel companies here to see if they could provide the kind of steel used by it in the anchor systems. If Cintec decides to set up a plant in India, it would source the steel locally, but would bring in the grout.
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