Contractors who embrace changes in concrete use will find whole new markets.

Concrete has been around for more than 2,000 years. And while it’s still essential for bridges and roads and sidewalks, entirely new ways of using concrete are also gaining traction.

With the use of new dyes and creative finishing techniques — and of course, the right concrete forms and overlays, concrete has greater versatility than ever before as a decorative surface in residential, hospitality, institutional and multi-use projects.

High-end contemporary designs are showcasing concrete for accent walls, kitchen backsplashes and even entire bathrooms, from floor to walls to counters and sinks. Smooth and polished or rough and rugged, concrete is showing up in places where it’s never been seen before.

In this market, plain plyform panels just aren’t good enough. The quality architectural finishes end-users want require concrete forming overlays that can yield satiny finishes, matte or semi-gloss, and specific types of textures and designs that demand the best in conform panels and overlays.

Adapting to new environments to enhance real-world performance

Continual changes in concrete mixes, building products and methods, regional weather patterns and more, together, keep us on our toes at Arclin. In fact, we’re continually looking at our product attributes to ensure optimal performance for our customers — and theirs.

Most recently, Arclin has been focused on developing its next generation of EPIC® overlays for concrete forming. With greater internal bonds, better water resistance and improved ability to stand up to even the harshest concrete mixes, the new EPIC suite is being designed to offer the best in-field performance yet.

Epic 3333
New generation MDO

• Highly chemical resistant
• Extremely durable even when used with aggressive concrete mixes
• Water resistance enhances form-oil performance in the field
• Stronger internal bonds – faster, easier and more reuses in the field

Epic 3323 MDO

• Stronger internal bonds – faster, easier and more reuses in the field
• Enhanced cushion sheet performance in HDO/HAO panel constructions

Epic Enhanced Flow MDO
New Arclin-developed resin allows faster cure, better saturation and more uniform paper for more consistent field performance.

Visit Arclin at the World of Concrete to see the new EPIC suite!

Just as we thought the online “Cyber Monday” shopping day might overtake the “Black Friday” shopping frenzy, another trend — decidedly analog — is taking hold:

Internet retail giants such as Birchbox, Garnet Hill, Blue Nile and yes, even Amazon, are opening brick-and-mortar stores.

Despite significant gains in online shopping in recent years, still, more than 90% of purchases are being made off-line — that is, in real stores. In real buildings. And as the millennial generation moves into urban centers, forsaking suburbs and traditional shopping malls, retailers are following, fueling yet more development.

That’s good news for the construction industry. And, certainly, for those of us in the concreted slice of that business.

Big-box retailers have been expanding at a rapid pace, too. All this expansion adds up to projected retail construction growth that will top out at just over 10% this year and rise by about 9% in 2016, according to the American Institute of Architects’ most recent Consensus Construction Forecast. (Consensus Construction Forecast Jan. 2015)

This promises healthy gains in the concrete industry. The Portland Cement Association projects 6.5% growth in the use of cement in construction next year.

Now that’s a trend we can buy into.