SOPREMA UK
SOPREMA HOUSE
FREEBOURNES ROAD
WITHAM
ESSEX CM8 3UN
Tel: 0330 058 0668
Fax:
Suppliers of: Waterproofing roofing membranes, Structural waterproofing membranes, flat roof waterproofing, green roof waterproofing, liquid waterproofing membranes, liquid membranes, metal roof decking, waterproofing systems
SOPREMA is an international manufacturer, offering innovative and cost effective waterproofing, insulation and soundproofing solutions and services both directly and through our network of distribution partners – enabling our customers to Build Better Buildings
WATERPROOFING PRODUCTS:
SOPREMA has over a century of experience manufacturing and developing highly efficient and reliable waterproofing systems in line with the ever-changing demands of the construction industry. One of the leading innovators in our field, we offer waterproofing solutions that range from bituminous waterproofing and liquid waterproofing to PVC waterproofing and TPO waterproofing (synthetic waterproofing). Our DUOFLEX Hot Melt structural waterproofing system is characterised by low lifecycle costs, self-healing properties and unrivalled waterproofing performance for inverted flat roof and podium deck applications.
BITUMINOUS WATERPROOFING
Protection against the elements. Our modified bitumen APP or SBS reinforced membranes have a high resistance and long service life.
SYNTHETIC WATERPROOFING
Synthetic TPO and PVC for innovative roofing structures, underground works, flat, inverted, cool and ballasted roofing applications.
LIQUID WATERPROOFING
A popular solution for roofing and sealing of roof details, terraces, balconies and parking garages. Aesthetic finishing options available.
STRUCTURAL WATERPROOFING
A bituminous hot melt system, designed for longevity and low life cycle costs. Applications include inverted roofs, ballasted and green roofs etc.
INSULATION PRODUCTS:
SOPREMA is not only recognised as a global leader in waterproofing, but also in insulation. Insulating buildings with durable, efficient and high-quality products and systems becomes increasingly important to help the current housing stock become futureproof, making it more energy-efficient and sustainable, and to adapt it to the changing climate. SOPREMA manufactures both thermal and acoustic insulation systems. We offer a wide range of XPS roof insulation boards of varying thickness, as well as PIR insulation. In addition, we lead the way in natural insulation with PAVATEX, a range of wood fibre insulation products with excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
PIR INSULATION
A wide range of PIR Insulation Solutions for all types of construction.
SOPRA XPS INSULATION
An extensive range of XPS Insulation Boards in a variety of thickness and specification.
ACOUSTIC INSULATION
Our range of Acoustic Insulation provides excellent sound absorbing as well as thermal qualities.
PAVATEX WOOD FIBRE INSULATION
A wide range of wood fibre insulation products with excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
MINERAL INSULATION
A range of natural products avaialble as loose fill and additives.
SOLUTIONS FOR WATERPROOFING BASEMENTS:
From ready-to-use emulsion primers and cold applied bituminous primers like AQUADERE STICK and ELASTOCOL 600 to waterproofing membranes such as COLPHENE: SOPREMA provides high-quality and easy-to-apply solutions for waterproofing basement walls and floors. The COLPHENE waterproofing range offers premium performance and durability for any below-ground waterproofing project. The bitumen membranes in our range for waterproofing basements are renowned for their innovation. COLPHENE BSW H and COLPHENE BSW V membranes, for instance, feature a unique SOPREMA technology called DUO SELVEDGE that guarantees safer installation. COLPHENE®1500, in turn, is an anti-root waterproofing membrane with excellent mechanical resistance and ditto adherence to an exceptionally wide range of substrates.
GREEN ROOF SYSTEMS:
Extensive green roofs (or sedum roofs) and intensive green roofs offer plenty of advantages. Turning mineral surfaces into green oases and creating new ecosystems, they reduce the urban heat island effect, increase biodiversity, improve water retention and filtration, and have excellent soundproofing and thermal insulation qualities. We provide regular green roof solutions that can easily be installed on all SOPREMA roofing and waterproofing systems, as well as inverted green roof systems with standard insulation or eco insulation. SOPREMA’s solutions for green roofs are specially designed with light weight, low maintenance, and ease of design and installation in mind.
SOLUTIONS FOR SOLAR ENERGY MANAGEMENT:
From photovoltaic mounting systems to coatings and primers for cool roofs: SOPREMA has you covered when it comes to solar energy management on flat roofs. Our cool roofing products include ALSAN REFLECTROOF PRIMER, a white pigmented, fast‐curing PMMA-based primer, and ALSAN REFLECTROOF COATING, a stable, abrasion- and UV-resistant, pigmented methyl methacrylate-based resin formulation that is fast-curing, solvent-free and helps increase the reflectivity of bitumen and asphalt substrates. For solar panel roofing or solar roofs, our SOPRASOLAR FIX attachment system (with its rail protectors, support clips and speed clips) helps create a solar roof system of rigid photovoltaic panels directly on top of a waterproofing membrane.
WATERPROOFING CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES:
SOPREMA’s synthetic waterproofing (FLAGON) and bituminous waterproofing (ANTIROCK) product lines are suited to any type of civil engineering project, no matter its size or complexity. When it comes to synthetic waterproofing, we offer both TPO and PVC membranes that are bound to meet your project requirements, such as high resistance to wearing, tearing and puncture. Looking for solutions for waterproofing road bridges, rail bridges, basins, parking decks, dams, tunnels or other civil engineering structures? SOPREMA has got you covered with a product offer ranging from engineering membranes to primers and sealers, and even installation equipment. In the latter category, we have the MACADEN, a fully automatic machine with two hot air nozzles for installing thermofusible bituminous rolls on bridges and carparks, and the MINI-MACADEN, a smaller, self-propelled and self-guided machine for laying bituminous membranes.
Knowledge sharing by SOPREMA - SOPRAVOICE
SOPREMA’s reputation has been built on product quality, innovation and technical expertise. Sopravoice is SOPREMA’s waterproofing and insulation knowledge sharing platform. In this section of the website you will find tips and tricks from our experts, advice and thematic articles discussing important topics related to the waterproofing & insulation industry.
Further technical information is avaialble to download from the BPi Download Libraey or directly from the Manufacturer’s own website.
Introducing Campolin Fiber: SOPREMA's Latest Innovation in Trafficable Waterproofing
A Conversation with Mike Vaczi, Technical Director at SOPREMA UK
We’re starting the year strong at SOPREMA UK with not one, but two new product innovations to take us into 2025. We asked Technical Director Mike Vaczi to give us the lowdown on the latest solutions we’ve added to our Campolin and Versitex ranges.
We’ll start off by taking a closer look at Campolin Fiber, a trafficable elastic waterproofing solution designed specifically for pedestrian areas.
Q: Mike, what inspired the development of Campolin Fiber?
A: We recognised a growing need for a high-performance waterproofing solution that can handle pedestrian traffic while being easy to apply. Campolin Fiber was developed to meet this demand, particularly for smaller-scale projects.
Q: What are the key performance benefits of Campolin Fiber?
A: The key innovation is in the membrane itself, which is self-reinforced. We’ve done this by incorporating polypropylene fibres directly into the mass, which provides exceptional mechanical performance without the need for extensive reinforcement. Alongside this, Campolin Fiber offers excellent stretching capacity and high levels of elasticity, including under lower temperatures. It’s also fully impervious to rainwater, weather-resistant and age-resistant, and we're backing it with a 10-year warranty.
Q: What applications are Campolin Fiber best suited to?
A: One of the beauties of Campolin Fiber is its straightforward application process, which makes it ideal for smaller projects and refurbishments. As a trafficable solution, its perfect for areas with pedestrian traffic such as penthouses and terraces. It’s been designed for use on roofs with a minimum slope of 2% and is ideal for vaults, slab corners, parapets, partition walls and rain coatings. It can be installed on a wide range of substrates, including concrete, cement, non-glazed ceramics and tiles.
Q: What about its environmental credentials?
A: We're proud that Campolin Fiber aligns with our commitment to sustainability. It's a solvent-free resin system with low odour, making it particularly suitable for occupied buildings. Plus, it complies with the VOC Directive 2004/427/EC.
For more information about Campolin Fiber please visit
https://www.soprema.co.uk/en/.
Don’t miss the next part of our product innovation series, where we’ll be diving into our second product launch – Versitex PVC. Stay tuned!
Excellence in Student Accommodation: The Spireworks Project
A Modern Approach to Construction
Student accommodation has evolved significantly over the past decade, with a strong emphasis on durable materials, sustainability, and occupant well-being. The Spireworks, a contemporary student accommodation development located at 163 Cowley Road in Oxford, reflects this evolution, showcasing effective construction techniques and reliable materials.
Completed by main contractor RG Group for student accommodation provider Aparto, The Spireworks is a £21 million development that integrates seamlessly into Oxford’s vibrant and eclectic surroundings.
Designed by ICA Architects, the scheme delivers 137 student bedrooms alongside a range of communal spaces, including a gym, games room, study areas, and an outdoor courtyard. Retail and service facilities within the development also enhance the local community’s amenities.
Reliable Building Envelope Solutions
A crucial element of The Spireworks project was the roofing and waterproofing system, which needed to deliver durability, energy efficiency, and long-term performance. Specialist contractor Roofworx (UK) Ltd was appointed to manage this complex installation, ensuring the specified solutions met the required standards.
Matthew Coupe, Managing Director at Roofworx (UK) Ltd, explained: “The roofing and cladding package was particularly challenging, with multiple interfaces and a phased construction programme. Early involvement in the design stages was key, enabling us to collaborate closely with ICA Architects and specify products that would ensure longevity and performance.”
SOPREMA’s solutions were specified for the roofing works, delivering a full building envelope system that offered both waterproofing integrity and thermal efficiency. The project incorporated a total of 1,200m² of SOPREMA’s products:
720m² of DUOFLEX hot melt system with 200mm SOPRAXPS insulation and 56mm cement board upstands for the main roof.
450m² of SOPRATORCH bituminous membrane multi-layer system, combined with SOPRATHERM PIR tapered insulation on various levels.
50m² of FLAGON single ply membrane for all canopies and lift-over runs, incorporating edge trims and drips.
Overcoming Challenges for a Seamless Installation
Every construction project presents unique challenges, and The Spireworks was no exception. With a phased build programme and an initial two-month delay due to external factors, meticulous planning was essential to keep the project on schedule.
“The project required strategic sequencing as the building was constructed in two halves,” said Matthew Coupe. “Additionally, persistent wet weather during winter months posed further delays. To counter this, we specified SOPRADVANCE concrete compound, a SOPREMA solution that enabled application to the concrete deck after just seven days instead of the standard 28-day curing period. This allowed us to accelerate the programme without compromising quality.”
Logistics also played a critical role, as the project’s central location within Oxford’s narrow streets meant material deliveries had to be precisely timed. Roofworx worked closely with SOPREMA to coordinate deliveries, ensuring smooth progress and avoiding disruption.
Quality assurance was another key consideration. SOPREMA’s in-house field technicians conducted thorough on-site inspections at every stage of the installation, ensuring all waterproofing elements met required performance standards. Furthermore, all operatives received full SOPREMA system training, ensuring a consistent standard of workmanship.
A Lasting Legacy for Oxford’s Student Community
Despite initial setbacks, The Spireworks project was successfully completed on time and within budget, delivering a modern, comfortable, and durable living space for Oxford’s student population. The collaboration between Roofworx, ICA Architects, RG Group, and SOPREMA played a pivotal role in overcoming challenges and ensuring the necessary standards were achieved.
The success of the project underscores the importance of early-stage collaboration, the right product specification, and technical expertise in delivering durable, future-proof buildings.
Today, The Spireworks provides students with a safe and well-constructed living environment for years to come.
To find out how SOPREMA can help support your next project visit www.soprema.co.uk or email technical@soprema.co.uk.
