Kwang Steel flooded with orders for its high-performance cladding panel

[Source: Kwang Steel Co.]

Global expeditions by Kwang Steel Co. (KSC) are expected to gain traction after its newly developed cladding panel has proved its supremacy in protecting buildings from natural disasters, cutting construction period and lowering worksite accidents at major construction sites like Samsung Electronics’ chipmaking complex.

The South Korean building material company recently announced a fresh deal to supply exterior panels to the construction of LG Energy Solution’s Ochang battery plant from September, following an order for Samsung Electronics’ Pyeongtaek semiconductor plant, which is currently undergoing expansion.

The company’s new concept exterior building panel dubbed ‘Speed Block Metal Panel’ is the world's first cladding panel that fundamentally blocks water leakage, a chronic problem of existing exterior materials, and prevents fire from spreading on top of an ability of wind resistance and anti-seismic feature. Recognizing its superior features, a growing number of top-tier companies in Korea and abroad are seeking to order or use the panel.

“Microsoft, which is seeking to build a new facility in Singapore, is one of the companies showing interest in our products,” said KSC’s chief executive Inhak Gwak.

Metal panels along with sandwich panels are commonly used cladding materials in modern buildings. They are applied to various structures such as commercial buildings, research facilities, and logistics centers, as well as particle-sensitive plants for semiconductors and other high-tech components. KSC has applied for patent protection for the Speed Block Metal Panel in Korea, China, USA, Japan, Europe, Russia and Indonesia, among others.

Existing building panels are usually caulked with a silicone sealant in panel joints to prevent water penetration. Silicone used as a caulking material is deformed over time, leading to water leakage. In case of a fire, a potential gap in the panel joints can fan air flows and cause a “chimney” phenomenon, helping spread the fire. Another headache is that oil from silicone materials can invade the panel, causing stains and messing up the façade appearance.

[Source: Kwang Steel Co.]

KSC addressed these problems all at once by excluding external silicone. The Speed Block Metal Panel is finished with an insulator between the front and rear iron sheets and the remaining four side surfaces molded with aluminum. This product is designed in a four-sided laminated structure with a gasket inserted into the panel itself without using back-up materials or sealants. A gasket made of highly functional synthetic rubber (EPDM) blocks the flow of water and air. A drain inside the panel discharges potential moisture out of the building.

Another advantage to builders and owners is the significant reduction in the construction period. With the use of the Speed Block Metal Panel, a builder can also save about 20 percent of total construction costs because there is no back-up material, silicone, or gasket insertion process during the construction, according to the company. The shortened working period is also contributing a lot to reducing human casualties that occur in cladding work.

The product also boasts excellent wind resistance and anti-seismic features. When the insulation is exposed to moisture, the lower part of a building panel may swell or fall off in the event of a typhoon or earthquake. But the new metal panel tightly blocks the four sides where insulation is exposed with aluminum to ensure the panel surface smoothness is maintained over time.

KSC already made massive investment to automate production lines at its plant in Gimje, Jeonbuk Province to respond to the growing demand, ramping up daily production output to 1,500-2,000 square meters, three times higher than the industry average.

“Due to the nature of job order production, it is important to deliver on time, and we have shortened delivery time by about three times by increasing productivity,” said Gwak. “We plan to accelerate our entry into global markets, including the United States, with top quality products.”

As the excellent leak-proof function of the Speed Block Metal Panel has been demonstrated, the company is flooded with repurchase requests from public and private organizations such as Korea District Heating Corporation, Kokam, MEMC Korea, as well as global companies overseas. It is also in talks with U.S. semiconductor company Micron Technology for a potential supply deal.

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