PSDAS Technical Visit to KFDN Concrete Admixture Factory - Production and Application of New Generation Admixtures
(Jointly organised with Hong Kong Productivity Council)

Date, Assembly Time & Place
26 February 2011 (Sat); 8:30am; Shop no 15, Huanggang, the PRC

Programme Highlights
Participants will visit the KFDN admixture manufacturing factory in Daya Bay, Shenzhen to understand the technologies, evolution, manufacturing process and application (including a live demo) of admixtures for production of concrete for achieving economical and sustainable construction. The challenges and future trends in concrete/admixture industry will also be discussed.

Fee
HK$50 (including transportation and lunch)

Registration & Enquiries
Prior registration is required and the number of participants is limited to 50. For registration, please complete and return the Standard Reply Form by Email: hkiemat@hkpc.org. For enquiries, please contact Miss Kit Ho at Tel: 2788 5533 or Fax: 2788 5522. CPD certificates will be available.

PSDAS Technical Visit to KFDN Concrete Admixture Factory – Production and Application of New Generation Admixtures

By Ir Sam Choy and Ir Corey Ho

A technical visit to KFDN concrete admixture factory at Daya Bay, Shenzhen to understand the technologies, manufacturing process and applications of concrete admixtures was held on 26 February 2011. The event was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Productivity Council and sponsored by the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme (PSDAS) of the Hong Kong SAR. Over 40 participants joined the visit.

Upon arrival to the factory, participants were received warmly by Mr Siu Bun-wing, Chairman of KFDN. Mr Siu is also a director for the Chinese Concrete Admixture Association. Mr Siu briefly introduced the history of the factory, the KFDN admixtures used in public projects of Hong Kong and China and the current trend for use of concrete admixtures. Polycarboxylate (polymer-based) admixtures are the newest concrete admixtures (3rd generation). With their high water-reduction ratio (up to 40%) and strong slump retention, they are very suitable for production of high performance and self-consolidating concrete where high strength and durability, high flowability and long workability retention are prerequisite.  

The team then visited the production plants to see the processes of formulation, synthesis and polymerization for producing poly-sulphonate and polycarboxylate admixtures. The factory has set up laboratories to test raw materials and finished products for quality control and new products development. Demonstrations were also carried out to show the ultra water reducing performance of carboxylate admixtures.

After visiting the plants, Mr George Siu, Deputy General Manager of KFDN, gave a presentation to elaborate the role of admixtures in modern concrete and the future challenges. Mr Siu explained that polycarboxylate admixtures are very sensitive to the amount of silts and clays in aggregates, which, in high quantity, can reduce the workability of fresh concrete drastically. Therefore, quality of aggregates is critical to the performance of 3rd generation admixtures. As such, the concrete industry of China started to explore the use of artificial aggregates where sand or aggregates are washed and re-graded. Furthermore, the industry also started to produce poly-suphonate admixtures as an intermediate product between 2nd and 3rd generations admixtures. Poly-suphonate admixtures give performance close to polycarboxylate but not much affected by silts and clays.

The visit ended with a question-and-answer session where interactive discussions were made. On behalf of the Materials Division, Ir Sam Choy delivered a vote of thanks to the host and presented souvenirs to Mr Siu Bun-wing, Mr George Siu and Mr Wong Yuk-tong as a token of thanks for the hospitality rendered to the delegates.