Starken offers ‘revolutionary’ building product

More builders are choosing this modern building block because it is 70 percent lighter than concrete and is fire resistant.

A revolutionary construction material is set to carve inroads in the local real estate industry.

The Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks are becoming the preferred building products for residential, hotel, industrial structures because of its natural composition and non-toxic properties, as well as energy saving qualities, claimed Starken Philippines, the local unit of Starken AAC Malaysia.

“This will usher in change and convenience in the industry,” Sam Liuson, president and CEO of Starken Philippines, said in a statement.

AAC is said to be produced using common materials such as lime, sand, cement and water, and a small amount of rising agent. After mixing and molding, it is then autoclaved under heat and pressure to create its unique properties.

Asbar Sanusi, senior technical manager of Starken Malaysia, said builders worldwide are choosing this modern building block because it is 70 percent lighter than concrete; it is fire resistant; has upgraded thermal and sound insulation; good workability process; impact resistant; speedy and less complicated application and is proven to be durable.

“AAC block entrains air or gas in the concrete and produces a much lighter block. The AAC block is most commonly used for interior walls and structures of two stories or less. This may also be used in large panels, and has improved insulating characteristics,” he said.

Unlike the conventional cement block, an AAC block is easy to use and is less messy.

With the aid of special tools developed by Starken, an AAC block is laid down with a thin bed of adhesive that was specially formulated and recommended for bonding the AAC blocks, panels and lintels.

This adhesive was developed and had underwent stringent testing, assuring the optimum performance once assembly is completed, officials said.

“We have been using this technology for years now in modern buildings, residential units and housing complexes around Asia,” Sanusi said.

Autoclaved lightweight concrete was invented in the mid-1920s by Swedish architect and inventor Johan Axel Eriksson. It is a lightweight, precast building material that simultaneously provides structure, insulation, and fire and mold resistance.