Tubag Trass developer information by TCM Asia Co., Ltd

TCM Asia Co., Ltd. 22/5 Moo1 Kamala Kathu 83120 Phuket

Contractor and developer letter

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR TRASS CEMENT IN NATURAL STONE INSTALLATION.

Introduction Natural stone is often specified by architects, interior designers and landscape architects because of its attractive “organic” look and, in the case of local stone (sandstone, slate and travertine) its relatively low cost. However, natural stone installations in internal “wet” areas (bathrooms and showers) and external areas often develop problems known as “mineral bleeding” or efflorescence seen as white deposits around the joints. Once these appear, , expensive remedial and/or restoration work is required, or even the replacement of the stone, which is likely to develop the same problems again in the future if installed using the same method. The Problem It is not uncommon to be told that this problem is a “natural phenomenon” with stone and cannot be avoided. Efflorescence is indeed a natural phenomenon but it rarely comes from the stone itself. It is usually caused by the exposure of the laying course material or “mortar bed” to water. So what causes this? Mortar beds are made from a mix of sand and cement, normally in a 3:1 ratio. Cement is made from limestone and so all mortar beds contain a quantity of lime commonly known as calcium oxide (CaO). Calcium oxide is water-soluble and dissolves to form calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, which migrates to the surface of the stone where it reacts with the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere to form calcium carbonate, CaCO3. The calcium carbonate, which is not soluble, forms a white deposit on the surface of the

____________________________________________________________________________________ TCM Asia Co. Ltd.,96/58 Moo1, Rd.Praphuketgaew, Rd. Amphur Kathu, 83120 , phone: 076-249505, fax: 076-249506, mobile: 086-9439834, email: office@tcm-asia.com, www.tcm-asia.com, Siam Commercial Bank Patong Branch Phuket Account nr.: 601-302115-6 SWIFT SICOTHBK

stone referred to as mineral bleeding or efflorescence. In summary, the problem comes not normally from the stone, but from the mortar bed beneath. The Solution There are two logical solutions to this problem: a) Use a typical sand/cement mortar bed but prevent the water from getting to it; b) Change the composition of the mortar bed so that when calcium hydroxide is formed it does not migrate to the surface to form calcium carbonate. Solution a) requires that the mortar bed is made as dry as possible when laying the stone (some water is required to bind the sand and cement) and then the use of surface sealers, penetrative sealers and waterproof grouting compounds to prevent any surface water from getting through to the mortar bed. In reality, these solutions are unlikely to be permanently effective and will require additional applications at periodic intervals. In external areas where moisture can come up from underneath, they are even less likely to be effective, if at all. The more practical approach is to change the composition of the mortar bed to ensure that when calcium hydroxide is formed it does not migrate to the surface to form calcium carbonate. One solution is to mix a bonding additive with the water used in the mortar bed but this is not only expensive, it is virtually impossible to control that mix in a construction environment. If an incorrect mix is used, the expensive bonding agent will have no benefit whatsoever. So we are left with the mortar bed materials themselves, the sand and cement, and this is where TRASS mortar, used instead of normal cement, provides the solution. TRASS mortar contains pulverized fly ash (PFA) which has been used for many years elsewhere in the world to solve the problem of efflorescence. Mixed correctly, it reacts with the calcium hydroxide and prevents it from migrating to the surface where it can cause efflorescence or mineral bleeding. The Business Case The cost of TCMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TRASS mortar is only THB 200 per m2 more than a typical sand cement mortar bed. The figures below show that this represents an increase in cost per m2 of approximately 13% for a local stone installation and 6% for an imported stone installation.

TYPICAL LOCAL STONE INSTALLATION COST per m2 Material (e.g. sandstone, travertine), per m2 Mortar bed Tile glue and grout Labour Total Installation Cost Additional percentage cost of TRASS installation

THB 1,200 THB 50 THB 100 THB 200 THB 1,550

THB 1,200 THB 250 THB 100 THB 200 THB 1,750 13%

TYPICAL IMPORTED STONE INSTALLATION COST per m2 Material (e.g. sandstone, travertine), per m2 Mortar bed Tile glue and grout Labour Total Installation Cost Additional percentage cost of TRASS installation

THB 3,000 THB 50 THB 100 THB 200 THB 3,350

THB 3,000 THB 250 THB 100 THB 200 THB 3,550 6%

In terms of the overall cost of construction, the business case for TCM TRASS mortar is even more compelling. As an example, consider a 150 m2 property in which there is 25 m2 of natural stone, and for which the developer has budgeted an overall construction cost of THB 35,000 per m2 or THB 5.25M. The additional cost of TCM TRASS mortar is THB 5,000 or 0.1% (excluding contractor’s profit and VAT)! Only an additional THB 5,000 to ensure that the stone installation will not fail! If there still some doubt as to whether an additional THB 200 per m2 is a worthwhile investment, contractors and developers should be aware that efflorescence is unlikely to appear for 3-6 weeks after the installation. So just when you think the defects are all complete, you’re likely to see that hard white stuff leaking out of the joints between the stone. Yes, you can attack it with acid and get most of it off, but it will keep coming for the next 3-9 months which most developers and buyers will not accept. At that point you’ll have to consider restoring and protecting the stone, or even replacing it at an even greater cost, not to mention the collateral damage that will be caused to an otherwise finished area. But for only an additional THB 200 per m2, TCM TRASS mortar can prevent these problems and the associated remedial costs We hope to count you soon to our satisfied customers by using TRASS in your actual and coming up projects. With best regards Andreas Ruthe Managing Director TCM Asia Co., Ltd.

Tubag - Pack price list

Price list valid until 01.01.2010

All prices are to order and exclude 7% VAT. Delivery time 3 months after purchase order. Pricing is calculated free BKK customs warehouse. Transportation to construction side will be charged extra. Product could be delivered in single packs, EU pallets or full sea container. Project prices on demand

Trass binding material for natural stone mortal Trass cement original 40 L TZ-o For production of resistant construction mortar for interior and exterior usage. In particular for laying sensitive natural stones. Contains 40% original tubag Trass Puzzolan cement CEM IV/B (P) 32,5 N germ DIN EN 197 Color: grey/beige Pack size 25kg Price per pack: 470.00 THB Price per palette / 54 pack: 24,500.00 THB Trass cement special TZ-s For production of resistant construction mortar for interior and exterior usage. In particular for laying high sensitive natural stones with great risk of discoloration. Contains 40% original tubag Trass Special cement made from Rheinlander Trass DIN 51043, Cement CEM I 52,5 R following DIN EN 197 and special additives. Color: light grey Pack size 25kg Price per pack: 690.00 THB Price per palette /48 pack: 31,200.00THB

Trass cement rapid TZ-r For production of resistant concrete and construction mortar with high early strength for indoor and outdoor usage. With 45% latently hydraulic Materials, original tubag Trass Composite cement CEM V/A (S-P) 52,5 N following DIN EM 197 Color light grey Pack size 25kg Price per pack: 590.00 THB Price per palette / 54 pack: 29,500.00THB TCM Asia Co. Ltd P.O. Box 153 Patong Post Office Phuket 83150

phone: 0066 (0) 76 249505 fax: 0066 (0) 76 249506 mobile engl.: 0066 (0)86 9439834 mobile thai: 0066 (0)81 4154926 office@tcm-asia.com

TCM Asia Co. Ltd 96/58 Moo1, Praphuketgaew Rd. Amphur 83120 Phuket www.tcm-asia.com