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drymix.info Newsletter 327/2026; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 28. July 2026

Correction: In our last drymix.info Newsletter (Nr. 326) we reported about the takeover of Protex by Cementos Avellaneda. In this newsitem, we stated, that Cementos Avellaneda is “(a wholly owned subsidiary of Cementos Molins, Barcelona, Spain)”. This is not correct: Cementos Molins' share in Cementos Avellaneda is 51%, while the remaining shares (49%) belong to Votorantim Cimentos, São Paulo, Brasil. We apologize for this mistake.

1. Register now for the 2nd Southern Africa Drymix Mortar Meeting, Johannesburg, 20 and 21AUG26
2. Casual SEADMA Meeting in Jakarta, 27. August 2026 during APCS
3. The 9th Central and South European Drymix Mortar Conference cedmmc9, Istanbul, Turkey, 17. September 2026: Program
4. Temasek Polytechnic and SEADMA Sign MOU for Training and Education in Singapore
5. DryChem India/Walplast Partners with Vura Bau Chemie
6. Recent Acquisitions by Saint-Gobain in Vietnam and Japan
7. The European Commission Informs about Price-Fixing Investigations Concerning Concrete Admixtures in Europe

1. Register now for the 2nd Southern Africa Drymix Mortar Meeting, Johannesburg, 20 and 21AUG26

The 2nd Southern Africa Drymix Mortar Meeting features technical sessions covering innovation, quality control, product performance and production (10 lectures). As in our first meeting 2019, there will also be an Expert Forum (panel discussion) with prominent representatives of the South African drymix mortar industry (talking about standardization of tile adhesives). The updated program can be found on www.drymix.info

The 2nd Southern Africa Drymix Mortar Meeting takes place at conveniently located Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton on 20. August 2026 (Friday, 21AUG26 excursion, see below). On Friday, 21. August 2026, 10:00 there will be a guided tour through Ponte City, the architectural landmark in downtown Johannesburg (featured in our Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2026). It is open to all delegates, RSVP is mandatory. We especially thank our supporters both in terms of scientific content and sponsoring: Almatis | Avebe | Bischof & Klein | Celotech | DK Fine Chem | Ezeetile | Haver&Boecker | Imerys | NFLG | TAL | Testing Bluhm & Feuerherdt | Wacker Chemie

Admission to The Second Southern Africa Drymix Mortar Meeting is ZAR 11.000 | 550 Euro per delegate, reduced to ZAR 9.000 | 450 Euro for drymix.info members and partners. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only ZAR 3.500 | 190 Euro p.p. A special travel rebate is available for drymix mortar manufacturers coming from outside the Gauteng and Free State Provinces, Group Rates (pay one get two) for drymix mortar manufacturers are available, too, please inquire with us. Registration is open at www.drymix.info (Visa or Mastercard, paypal).

2. Casual SEADMA Meeting in Jakarta, 27. August 2026 during APCS

On occasion of Asia Pacific Coatings Show, taking place at Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO, Kemayoran) from 26. to 28. August 2026, the South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association SEADMA is inviting all drymix mortar experts in town to a casual dinner on Thursday, 27. August 2026, 18:00 in a landmark restaurant in Jakarta (RSVP; exact location to be determined later, sponsors are still welcome). This will be a definitely ties-off affair, similar to the traditional drymix.info get-togethers during BAU and BAUMA here in Munich.

Please contact Leo (info@drymix.info) if you wish to attend.

3. The 9th Central and South European Drymix Mortar Conference cedmmc9, Istanbul, Turkey, 17. September 2026: Program

For the 9th time, drymix mortar experts and industry insiders will meet in Istanbul to discuss scientific research and application or production-related topics from the region and beyond. The key event for Turkey, Southern Europe and the Near East features an impressive list of technical presentations, as well as our traditional Bosphorus Cruise, directly from „our own“ pier at Çirağan Palace afterwards (RSVP mandatory). This festive cruise is being sponsored by Organik Kimya and drymix.info (additional sponsoring still encouraged and welcome!). We have recently completed the review of topics and are proud to present this comprehensive program (sorted in alphabetical order by company name, subject to change without notice):

Beumer Group | Andreas Herzog | BEUMER Solutions for the Building Material Industry (PP)
Blackburn Chemicals | Ed Rushworth | Moving away from Mineral Oil Based Foam Control Agents in the Drymix Industry (PP)
Calumin | Dr. Li Bin | Innovative Sintering Process: Transferring High-Performance White Calcium Aluminate Binders into Mortar Applications (PP)
Çimsa Çimento | Buket Polat | Early-Age Performance of a Binary Binder-Based Repair Mortar under Different Temperature Conditions (PP)
Haver & Boecker | Don Dörner | More Efficient and Sustainable Solutions for Your Packing Process (PP)
Hongshi New Materials (OYH) | John Zhang | Performance Study of Polymer Waterproof Mortars and Coatings (PP)
Imerys | A. Yalim, T. Omakowski | Expansive Agent: Securing OPC Mortars and Concrete Jobsites
Kast | Abdulrahman Alsabbagh | Advanced Technical Textiles for Reinforcement of Drymix Mortar Systems – Glass, Basalt and Carbon Fiber Solutions (PP)
Lotte | Keunjae Lee | Optimizing Limestone Cement-based Tile Adhesives: Challenges and the Role of Cellulose Ethers (PP)
m-tec | Kutlu Güvenç | Integrated Drymix Mortar Production Processes, Automated Site Equipment, High Tech Installation and 3D Construction Printing (PP)
Omya | Dr. Michael Wimmer | Innovating Mortars with Lightweight Microspheres for Greater Yield and Lower CO₂ Impact
Organik Kimya | Gizem Özinanç | The Switch to Very Low Clinker Content Binders in Cementitious Tile Adhesives Formulations
Oyak Cement | Musa Can Karakas |Building Low-Carbon Drymix Applications: Sustainable Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Integration in White Portland and Ordinary Portland Cement Systems (PP)
Poraver | Daniel Weber | Improving Physical Properties, Health and Safety and Sustainability of Drymix Mortars and Coatings by the Use of Lightweight Aggregates
Synthomer | Dr. Malin Schulz | Expanding Binder Options in Drymix Mortars: Performance Profiling of XSBR‑Based RDPs versus Conventional VAE Systems (PP)
Wacker Chemie | Serkan Başpınar | Hydrophobic Dispersible Polymer Powders for Enhanced Performance in 1K Cementitious Waterproofing Applications

cedmmc9 Delegate registration is up and running (www.drymix.info, Visa or Mastercard required), admission is 650 Euro per delegate, reduced to 550 Euro for drymix.info members and partners. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 190 Euro p.p.. A special travel rebate is available for drymix mortar manufacturers coming from outside of Turkey (and from Ankara Region), please inquire with us.

4. Temasek Polytechnic and SEADMA Sign MOU for Training and Education in Singapore

On 23. July 2026 Temasek Polytechnic and The South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association SEADMA, Ltd (both Singapore) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that summarizes the cooperation between both institutions in Singapore. The MOU regulates interactions concerning education, training and expert exchange on drymix mortars, with focus on its applications. Apart from technical aspects, the MOU explicitly defines regulations for student internship programmes to further skilled development. Also it includes high-performing job placements and staff industry attachment programmes to advance professional focus and bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Dr. Kevin Lee from Temasek Polytechnic's Centre of Innovation for Built Environment – Advanced Materials, a part of the Centre for Urban Sustainability and SEADMA Director Sek Tim Tan had prepared the concept within the last six months. Last week, Temasek Polytechnic Director Dr. Lay Beng Goh met with SEADMA President Ferdinand Leopolder to sign the far-reaching MOU at the Temasek Campus in Tampines. Now it is up to both parties to breathe life into the cooperation. Ideas and demands from SEADMA members and partners (not only from Singapore, but also from the entire ASEAN region, of course!) are encouraged.

5. DryChem India/Walplast Partners with Vura Bau Chemie

DryChem India Pvt. Ltd., the mother company of Ashok Mehta's Walplast Products Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai has announced a strategic investment into Vura Bau Chemie LLP, Ahmedabad, both India. Walplast produces a full range of drymix mortars and home improvement products in over 20 locations in India. Vura Bau Chemie produces drymix mortars such as cementitious tile adhesives, waterproofing, repair mortars and stonecare products in India, UAE and Estonia. More details on the new partnership (e.g. distribution of Vura shares) were not given by either party.

6. Recent Acquisitions by Saint-Gobain in Vietnam and Japan

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA, Courbevoie, France has recently announced two acquisitions of construction material manufacturers in Vietnam and China. Phu My Innovative Materials (PMIM), located in Phu My II Expansion Industrial Zone near Ho Chi Minh City produces gypsum panels (plasterboards) and had a turnover of around 20 mio Euro in 2025. In Vietnam, Saint-Gobain already operates 12 plants serving various aspects of the construction industry, including construction chemicals and drymix mortars, according to the company the turnover reached 200 mio Euro in 2025.

In Japan, Saint-Gobain has entered into a share transfer agreement to acquire the majority stake in AGC Polymer Material Co., Ltd., from ACG (formerly: Asahi Glass Company, Ltd., part of Mitsubishi Group), both Tokyo. AGC Polymer Material produces polyurethane waterproofing and flooring materials and systems and had a turnover of around 50 mio Euro in 2025. Saint-Gobain's turnover in Japan amounted to over 300 mio Euro in 2025. The acquisitions are still subject to regulatory approvals and are expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. A transaction value was not given for either of the acquisitions.

7. The European Commission Informs about Price-Fixing Investigations Concerning Concrete Admixtures in Europe

The European Commission, Brussels, Belgium has recently disclosed informations on its investigations concerning price fixing for concrete admixtures in Europe in post-CoVid times (2021 and 2022). The commission's focus is on the markets in France, Germany and Spain. Unannounced inspections of the companies and industry associations in question took place already in October 2023.

Post-CoVid cost increases by individual construction chemical manufacturers were reported in our Newsletter quite frequently in that period, also the war in Ukraine led to further increases (as does the crisis in the Middle East currently). The European Commission however suspects a coordinated approach in the market for concrete admixtures and thus started its investigations against major players in the mentioned Nations, including the relevant Industry Associations. The European Commission has so far only issued its preliminary concerns, the companies and associations have now been asked to respond to the statement of objections.

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This Newsletter is being researched using Analog Intellect (AI) - we personally apologize for any mistakes. Editor-in-Chief: Ferdinand Leopolder. All information is © 2003 - 2026 by Micro-Conference Pte. Ltd., 80 South Bridge Road, #03-01, Singapore, 058710, ACRA Reg. Nr. 201202876N.
Sincerely Yours, Ferdinand Leopolder