BY GRAPHIC CONCRETE
05.06.2017

PRESS RELEASE 5.6.2017Graphic Concrete Ltd has signed a cooperation agreement with AltusGroup Ltd and is expanding to the United States and Canada.Graphic Concrete is a patented technology that has been used extensively in projects across Europe, the Nordics and Australia. The technology transfers patterns — custom or stock — as a surface retarder via paper placed at the bottom of the form. Concrete is cast atop the paper. After the concrete is cured and extracted from the form, the retarder is washed away with a high-pressure washer, revealing an image that results from the contrast between the fair faced and the exposed aggregate surface. Selection of various aggregates and pigments can dramatically expand possibilities in the finished surface.

AltusGroup, headquartered in Pennsylvania, United States, is a joint venture of 19 American concrete factories, which drives the development of concrete by introducing innovative products. They are now the exclusive U.S. and Canadian sourcepoint distributors of Graphic Concrete technology for imparting durable patterns and images onto precast surfaces such as facades, walls, spandrels and soundwalls.

"We are seeking strong growth from abroad and we have for a long time been looking for a partner in North America who has a broad network of plants and strong expertise in architectural concrete construction," says Kimmo Knaapila, Managing Director of Graphic Concrete Ltd. "North America is a completely new market for us and we are really excited about having found a suitable partner. We share the same values with AltusGroup; We invest in continuous development, excellent consulting customer service and we both want to build a more diverse and visually appealing living environment," Knaapila continues. Driving precast innovation

"We are very happy about new cooperation. The innovation offered by Graphic Concrete is a great addition to our product range. The method is also expected to increase the interest of new element factories to join AltusGroup because only our members can take advantage of this fascinating new technology, "says AltusGroup's CEO John Carson. "Our skilled and experienced precasters continue to embrace novel and innovative technologies that improve the performance and aesthetic beauty of precast concrete to the benefit of the building team," Carson says.

“Our goal is to enable architects and designers to turn their visions into reality,” says Blair Davies, head of Graphic Concrete, North America. “Our products can be tailored and the outcome of each project is unique. We believe in building a better built environment through the use of Graphic Concrete.”  About AltusGroup

The first-ever national partnership of precast companies dedicated to “innovation powered by collaboration,” AltusGroup challenges the industry’s brightest minds to speed the development and perfection of precast technologies that improve the built environment. Products include the award-winning CarbonCast® line of products featuring C-GRID carbon fiber grid reinforcing and ARCIS ultra-thin precast panels for rainscreens and other applications. AltusGroup companies have an unparalleled network of manufacturing plants, technical staff and sales personnel to ensure architects, engineers and contractors get the help they need—and the quality and performance they expect. For more information, visit altusprecast.com.

About Graphic Concrete Graphic Concrete Ltd manufactures and sells Graphic Concrete, a patented innovative product that enables durable patterns and images to be produced on prefabricated concrete surfaces. The technology was invented by interior architect Samuli Naamanka in the late 1990s. Samuli’s inspiration was to create an industrial product for large-scale surfaces, a tool with which architects could be more visually creative. Graphic Concrete has since been working with a wide range of projects in 25 countires around the world, ranging from industrial buildings to fine art. For more information, visit graphicconcrete.com.