SCIB precast concrete plant to be fully operational 'soon'

The Sarawak Concrete Industries Bhd (SCIB) precast concrete plant in Malaysia is expected to become fully operational within two years, a senior figure has claimed.

According to Tan Sri Hamid Bugo, the chairman of SCIB, the plant is able to produce every year 150 000 sq m of precast panels and hollow slabs, reports the Malaysia Star.

Indeed, Mr Hamid Bugo believes there are many advantages to using precast materials, including the ability to reduce waste, construction costs and the ability to achieve reduced build times.

"The conventional method of producing concrete materials in the construction site results in a lot of wastage in cement and other materials and the need to clear the waste later," said Mr Hamid Bugo.

In addition to panels and slabs, the company produces a range of other prefabricated products, including staircases and beams.

Precast concrete has been used for many years. Indeed, the Romans used moulded concrete during the construction of tunnels, culverts and aqueducts.