|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 22 May 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Alina technology for low cost houses, building constructions by Elmo Leonard Representatives of the Russian company, Alina JCC, were in Sri Lanka last week to introduce their technology for low cost housing and building construction, with emphasis on rebuilding tsunami-hit buildings. "Alina technology built houses could withstand a future tsunami," Alina's marketing and development director, Palikov Ivan Stanchev told local construction contractors. Alina has experience having worked in the regions affected by natural calamities and following the flood in 2002 in south Russia, Alina constructed 300 cottages in the town of Armavir. Alina is currently involved in building a township of Atyrau in Kazakhstan, for the American Oil Corporation, Chevron. The project which includes the construction of 200 cottages and a secondary school for 432 pupils, will be completed within 18 months, Stanchev said. Alina is also involved in a massive housing project in Thailand and another giant project in Indonesia. Their forward projections are to establish themselves in the Asia Pacific region. The Alina method uses foam to make concrete less dense, lighter and comparatively stronger per density and weight. The amount of building material needed for construction falls with the decrease in density, making the product cheaper. The building material becomes a poor conductor of heat, thus cutting down the amount of energy needed for air conditioning. Answering questions, Stanchev said that the foam needed to make building materials could be imported from Russia, or purchased here, if a suitable foam is available. Known as the ICF concrete method, the equipment for turning out cement foamed blocks must first be imported. The blocks turned out could be fitted in, like toy building blocks. The short supply of sand in Sri Lanka had sent prices up 12 times over the past year, contractors said. Stanchev said that instead of sand, coke could be used, from India. Other materials could also be used, substitution sand, and such technology for building, was available in Russia. Alina established in 1990 is a full member of the Russian Guild of Builders and the National Building Federation of Bulgaria and an associate member of the ICF Association in USA. In 2003 Kremlin rewarded Alina with the honourable prize of Russian National Olympus, which is awarded by the government of Russia for innovations and achievements in business. The concrete foam could be pumped to the distances of 50 metres vertically and 60 metres horizontally. The ICF technology is not the lowest cost and the building technology available is not the lowest cost in the world, Alina's special project manager, Ms. Krympenko Nina said. But on strength and cost effectiveness, Alina held an edge, she said. Alina is intent on finding Sri Lankan partners for collaboration. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
