The June 2023 completion of the second and final phase of construction of the Edificio Quinta Agrícola in Chillán, Chile, opened the second of two residential towers to new residents. PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline concrete waterproofing admixture, was used to protect the below-grade concrete structures exposed to the area's high groundwater levels.

EAST SETAUKET, N.Y., June 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The June 2023 completion of the second and final phase of construction of the Edificio Quinta Agrícola in Chillán, Chile, opened the second of two residential towers to new residents. PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline concrete waterproofing admixture, was used to protect the below-grade concrete structures exposed to the area's high groundwater levels.

Located about 400 km (250 miles) south of Santiago, the country's capital, and near the geographical center of the country, Chillán is the capital city of the Ñuble region. With about 185,000 inhabitants, the city has become the commercial center for the surrounding agricultural region, which also includes shoe factories, flour mills, and lumberyards. The popular ski region of Nevados de Chillán lies just southeast of the city limits.

The Edificio Quinta Agrícola is the first residential apartment development in the Hacienda Quilamapu sector of Chillán. The completed project now comprises two 8-floor apartment towers, offering four 168 m2 (1,850 ft2) apartments per floor. Construction of the two towers was done in two phases, with the second tower now complete. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, multipurpose room, gym, and underground parking garage.

Due to the often-saturated soil conditions in the Ñuble region, Mañio Engineering & Construction, the project's general contractor, required a durable solution to protect the concrete basement structures from corrosion.

"Mañio had previously worked with a competitive waterproofing product," explains Domingo Lema, Managing Director of Penetron Chile. "However, after meeting with Penetron Chile, they became aware of the performance advantages of our PENETRON ADMIX."

The active ingredients in PENETRON ADMIX react in a catalytic reaction with the moisture in concrete. This chemical reaction generates a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete that permanently seals microcracks, pores and capillaries against the penetration of water or liquids from any direction. This provides long-term protection for concrete from corrosion and chemical attack, even when exposed to high hydrostatic pressure.

Unicon Chile, the local ready-mix concrete supplier, added PENETRON ADMIX to the concrete used for the below-grade perimeter walls and the foundation slab of the Edificio Quinta Agrícola tower. Over 1,700 m3 of concrete were treated with PENETRON ADMIX.

"Further points in favor of PENETRON ADMIX were the comprehensive permeability reduction of the concrete, the ability to self-heal hairline cracks, and a lower overall cost," concludes Domingo Lema.

The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels.

For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.

Media Contact

Corporate Relations, The Penetron Group, 631-941-9700, Crdept@penetron.com

SOURCE The Penetron Group