Saudi Arabia's Rezayat Group has formed a joint venture company to manufacture insulated concrete formwork wall panels and shuttering floor panels utilising Swiss technology for what it describes as a revolutionary new system of construction.

The panels, developed by technology provider Plastedil S A of Switzerland, will be produced by a joint venture formed by Rezayat, a major player in the building industry, the Saudi Offset Limited Partnership (Solp) and Plastedil.

The products will be marketed under the name Plastbau.

"By combining reinforced foam panelling and concrete pouring on site, Plastbau technology encourages innovative construction that is efficient, economical, and adaptable to a variety of architectural motifs," a spokesman for the joint venture said.

"The basic wall building system uses light polystyrene forms, easily shifted into place by just a few workers. Each form encloses a steel pre-reinforcement cage into which concrete is poured to create a load-bearing inner wall with outer insulation. In a major breakthrough in construction technology, Plastbau produces a composite forming section made out of polystyrene and steel for one-way joist slabs. The Plastbau metal floor/roof system eliminates overuse of steel and concrete while still sustaining loading." Rezayat will showcase this method in its new office building in Al Khobar, construction of which has already begun.

"The Plastbau system is so flexible that it can be adapted to many different designs, including office buildings, luxury hotels, individual housing and apartment buildings, and industrial warehouses and factories," said the spokesman. "Each panel can be cut to predetermined size and still take advantage of the instant connection system. Furthermore, the polystyrene forms can be easily hand-cut to allow insertion of cables and plumbing and on-site modifications of windows systems, doorways, and other architectural elements.

"The polystyrene forms include a steel pre-reinforcement cage. When concrete pours into the form and hardens, the bearing structure is protected from atmospheric deterioration, an added plus in the harsh desert climate of the Middle East. Since the polystyrene insulating forms can be made to any predetermined thickness, the insulating factors of the building can be predetermined, leading to long-term savings in air conditioning and heating costs.

"The Plastbau method is particularly suitable to Saudi Arabia's physical environment. It saves money, time, and labour not only during the construction process but also during the entire life of the building ... Throughout the life of the building, no heat bridges through the external walls, thus guaranteeing an easily controlled interior climate at lower cost."

Rezayat's partner, the Saudi Offset Limited Partnership, is a direct equity, venture development limited partnership designed to invest offset funds in effective commercial ventures in Saudi Arabia.

Solp's general partner DevCorp International, E.C., a venture development and investment firm with registered offices in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, focuses on project development and management.