ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Everything you need to know about equipment commissioning, warranty service and polystyrene concrete composition.
What is polystyrene concrete?
Polystyrene concrete is a lightweight concrete with expanded polystyrene filler. It has been known on our market for over 25 years, and over 40 years in the West. It has low thermal conductivity, high strength and durability. Complies with GOST R 51263-2012. It has become a serious alternative to foam concrete and aerated concrete due to its wider range of applications, ease of manufacture and significantly better material characteristics.
What does the "Center of Construction Technologies" do and what solutions do you offer?
"Center of Construction Technologies" was founded in 1998 with the goal of developing and manufacturing technological equipment for the construction industry. Main areas: • Automatic lines for polystyrene concrete production; • Development and production of pre-expanders for polystyrene concrete, foam concrete, expanded polystyrene; • Lines for block and partition production; • Tongue-and-groove molds; • Equipment for mixture preparation and transportation; • Production of block forms. We implement not a single material, but a complex of interconnected technologies selected for the type of object and construction area.
What are the real delivery, installation supervision and line launch timelines on site?
Design and manufacturing of equipment takes an average of 45 to 60 days (depending on line capacity and configuration). After equipment delivery to your site, our engineers carry out installation supervision, full commissioning, process automation and GOST-compliant mixture formulation using your raw materials in exactly 10 working days.
Do you help with business plan and payback calculations for new regions?
Yes, we sell not just industrial equipment, but a ready-made high-margin business. Along with the equipment, you receive proven financial models, ready business plans and process maps. We help calculate the cost of 1 m³ of finished polystyrene concrete considering cement and polystyrene prices in your region, so you can reach net profit in minimal time.
What component dosing accuracy do your automated complexes provide?
All our plants are equipped with modern automated control systems (ACS) based on intelligent PLCs. High-precision tensometric (weight) dosing of binder and aggregates has an error of no more than ±0.3%. This guarantees strict adherence to GOST formulation, stable block strength from batch to batch, and eliminates overuse of expensive cement.
Can your equipment produce large-format panels and mega-blocks?
Absolutely. Our equipment is universal and works across the entire density range — from D150 to D600. You can produce both dry mixes and lightweight roof insulation, as well as classic wall blocks, mega-blocks or large-format reinforced panels for rapid house construction. For ideal block geometry, we also design automated array cutting complexes with cutting accuracy up to 1 mm.
How is equipment maintenance and spare parts delivery handled outside Russia?
"Center of Construction Technologies" is an experienced international exporter. Our equipment successfully operates in CIS countries, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. When designing ACS, we use reliable components available on the international market. Supplies of consumables and spare parts are carried out from our own plant in Ekaterinburg. All cross-border payments and logistics chains are fully streamlined.
How quickly does a plant pay off?
On average 8 to 14 months, depending on the region and production volumes. Use our profit calculator for an accurate estimate.
How many people are needed to operate a plant?
A 30 m³/day plant needs 3–4 people. An 80 m³/day plant needs 6–8 people. We provide staff training.
What is the cost per cubic meter of polystyrene concrete?
On average 2,000–3,500 RUB/m³, depending on density and region. Exact calculation is available in the articles section or on request.
Do you provide equipment warranty?
Yes, 12-month warranty on all equipment. Post-warranty service and spare parts are always available.
Delivery
Delivery is carried out by road and rail transport. We select the optimal option and agree on shipping costs with you. We work with all transport companies, finding shared loads with consolidated cargo.
Leasing and credit
We will prepare a complete set of documents for the leasing company.
Training
Your staff can be trained at an operating facility in Krasnodar Krai. A specialist can also travel to your enterprise for on-site staff training.
Commissioning, equipment installation
We design our equipment to require no special commissioning. Most of our equipment can be started without specialists and requires no special knowledge. We will prepare a production layout, equipment placement, pneumatic transport lines, etc. for you completely free of charge. All you need is a plan of your future workshop.
How to prepare polystyrene concrete mixture?
In a horizontal shaft mixer, mix water, expanded polystyrene granules, cement and additives (SDO resin or equivalent). More details can be found in the mixture preparation recipe.
Can purchased granules be re-expanded?
No, due to the absence of a foaming agent in the granules.
What raw materials to use?
Any imported with granule size 0.8–1.2 mm, domestic Alfapor.
Can polystyrene concrete be produced at low temperatures?
Yes, down to -5 degrees Celsius.
Can your equipment be used for expanded polystyrene production as furniture filler?
Yes, it can. The size (weight) of granules will depend on the raw material and foaming mode.
Can foam concrete be produced on your equipment?
Yes, you just need to replace the pre-expander with a foam generator.
What are the requirements for a polystyrene production facility?
Floor-level exhaust ventilation, temperature above +10 degrees Celsius. The polystyrene granule foaming area must be enclosed with a non-combustible partition.
When does polystyrene concrete "shrinkage" occur? Can it happen during building operation?
Polystyrene concrete shrinkage occurs during manufacturing; the amount depends on humidity, cement quantity, quality, etc. Maximum shrinkage is 5 mm per 1 m. When testing walls (height 3 m, width 1.2 m, thickness 0.3 m, grade D400 polystyrene concrete) under a 26-ton load, deformation was 2 mm.
Does the material need certification? What permits are needed for polystyrene concrete production?
Polystyrene concrete does not require mandatory certification. With voluntary certification, you can obtain: sanitary-epidemiological protocol, fire protocol, laboratory certification.
How does polystyrene foaming occur?
Inside the pre-expander, in a steam environment, the foaming agent is released from the granules, causing them to increase in size.
Can expanded polystyrene waste be used?
Polystyrene waste can be used after shredding in a hammer crusher followed by sieving.
Can screenings be used in polystyrene concrete production?
Yes, but only with a fraction no larger than 3 mm.