CAMBRIDGE, MA, Jan. 5th, 2007 – Grace Construction Products, a worldwide leader in products for the construction industry, will highlight several product innovations at its booth, #N865, at the upcoming World of Concrete, including STRUX 90/40 synthetic macro fibers, its Decorative Concrete products line, system for Self-Consolidating Concrete, and several of its industry-leading waterproofing systems.

STRUX 90/40 recently received classification from Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for use as an alternate to welded wire fabric. The UL classification means that STRUX 90/40 has undergone evaluation by UL and has received a 1, 1.5 and 2 hour rating for D700, D800 and D900 floor ceiling designs. The ANSI/SDI Code Provisions has also stated that macro synthetic fibers are a suitable alternative to welded wire fabric specified for temperature and shrinkage reinforcement. In addition to use in composite metal deck systems, STRUX 90/40 is used in a wide variety of applications including slab-on-ground in residential and commercial projects such as retail buildings, offices, schools, warehouses and exterior pavements. Other unique applications range from structures in marine environments to vehicular bridges, ICF walls, soil stabilization and precast.

Grace’s products for Decorative Concrete include Integral Liquid Pigments, which provide a wide palette of consistent, durable colors for concrete. Grace’s liquid pigments are often used in ready mix concrete for such applications as driveways, pool decks, patios and walkways. They can also be mixed into concrete for architectural precast, tilt-up construction and a variety of other applications to create beautiful colored concrete. Grace’s program, “Changing the Color of Concrete,” includes a website, www.gracedecorativeconcrete.com, which is dedicated to providing information about colored concrete, showcasing applications and promoting its aesthetic appeal.

Grace’s Deorative Concrete line also includes and the industry leading surface retarder, Grace Top-Cast™ . Ideal for poured-in-place flat-work Top-Cast is available in 11 depths of etch to provide a comprehensive array of effects from a simulated light acid wash and sand blast finish to full exposure of 1.5 inch aggregate. Each grade is color and number coded for safety and convenience.

Grace will also showcase its newest ADVA® high range water reducing admixture technologies:

· ADVA 190, a polycarboxylate-based high range water reducing admixture that produces concrete with extremely workable characteristics, referred to as high slump, while allowing concrete to be produced with very low water/cement ratios for high strength.
· ADVA FLEX, a patent pending, slump enhancing admixture that can be used as either a traditional high range water reducer, or, at higher dosage rates, to significantly increase the length of slump retention.

Grace will also show it Total Solution for Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) including: ADVA Cast 575, a high efficiency, low addition rate polycarboxylate-based high range water reducing admixture for SCC in Precast/Prestressed concrete.

Grace’s Total Solution for SCC also includes its Mix Proportioning System (MPS), a proprietary technology tool that enables field personnel to custom-design SCC mixes to adapt to the specific materials customers have in their plants.

In addition, Grace will focus on several of its advanced waterproofing technologies and solutions at World of Concrete. Grace has been a leader in developing leading-edge waterproofing products for over 40 years, with products ranging from self-adhered membranes to fluid applied waterproofing, , drainage composites, and waterproofing systems for inverted roof assemblies and plaza decks. Products to be highlighted at World of Concrete include Bituthene®, Preprufe® and Procor®.

Still considered the Gold Standard in post-applied waterproofing membranes four decades after its introduction, Bituthene provides a variety of options for below and above grade, vertical and horizontal waterproofing applications and specific temperature conditions.

Preprufe® pre-applied waterproofing systems are designed for below grade slabs and blind side applications. Installed before the structural slab is poured or prior to casting the foundation walls, Preprufe is a composite of a tough, durable HDPE film integrally bonded to layers of aggressive pressure-sensitive adhesives. Unlike conventional non-adhering membranes, which are vulnerable to water ingress tracking between the unbonded membrane and structure, the unique Preprufe technology fully adheres to concrete preventing any ingress or migration of water around the structure. Preprufe can be installed quickly and is ready for immediate placing of rebar and concrete.

Procor® is a unique, self-curing, rubber-based, fluid applied waterproofing product developed to meet the demands of today’s fast track programs without compromising performance. The system’s two parts are mixed together onsite prior to use, and are cold-applied to the substrate, curing within 24-48 hours to form a monolithic, flexible rubber waterproofing membrane. Typical applications include foundation walls, tunnels, earth-sheltered structures and planters. Procor is also appropriate for applications in split slab construction, such as plaza areas, balconies walkways and parking decks.

For more information about Grace’s product line, customers can contact their local Grace representative or visit the web site at www.graceconstruction.com