Shorter Construction Schedules
Our mach-series transforms screed performance and construction schedules
Drying time challenges
Cementitious screeds – sand and cement mixtures applied to a base to provide a level surface – are tried and trusted. But they dry slowly. A typical sand and cement screed will dry at a rate of about 1 mm per day, assuming good site conditions and ventilation. That means a 60 mm screed could take two months before reaching acceptable moisture levels for floor finishes like vinyl, wood, or carpet.
And that’s under ideal conditions. In real-world sites where humidity fluctuates, ventilation is limited, or thicker screeds are required, drying can take even longer. The result?
- Delayed installations of floor coverings
- Bottlenecks in the construction program
- Increased costs due to extended site management
For commercial projects with strict deadlines – or residential clients eager to move in – these delays are a major headache.
The mach-map
In fast-moving construction, every day saved counts. Fast-drying screeds aren’t just a convenience – they’re a competitive edge. Bondera Chemicals’ mach series – mach 1, mach 2, and mach 3 – offer tailored solutions to drastically reduce drying times while boosting strength and application performance.
Let’s look at the mach-map how each additive from our series accelerates the screed drying behaviour and why they make a difference.
Construction time comparison
- Drying rate: ~1 mm/day
- 60 mm thickness = ~60 days drying
- Realistically, 60–75 days accounting for site conditions
- Drying time: 7, 14 or 21 days
- Walkable within 24 hours
- Floor coverings can be installed in as little as a week if needed
That’s a time saving of at least a month, often more. For a commercial office fit-out or retail space, that time advantage translates directly into earlier openings and reduced labor costs.
When it comes to construction projects, time is often the most expensive commodity. Contractors, builders, and clients all share the same goal: finish strong, finish fast, and get the building back into use as soon as possible. Yet, traditional cementitious screeds come with one unavoidable challenge – drying time. Left untreated, a standard screed can take weeks, sometimes months, before it’s ready for floor coverings. That’s where our mach series comes in, changing the game by cutting down drying times without compromising performance.
Benefits beyond
Projects can move to the next stage sooner—whether that’s flooring, decorating, or furnishing. Shorter project timelines reduce overheads.
mach-enhanced screeds are less dependent on perfect site conditions. Even in cooler or more humid climates, drying is more predictable.
Our mach solutions don’t just accelerate drying – they also enhance compressive and flexural strength, resulting in a more robust screed. That supports heavier traffic, industrial use, or dynamic loading scenarios.
Quick-drying screeds pair well with underfloor heating systems, which themselves accelerate moisture loss. This makes the whole system faster to commission.
Excess moisture trapped in screeds can cause adhesive failure, mold growth, or flooring defects. By reducing drying time and ensuring more controlled hydration, our additives help minimize these risks.
Where they shine
Offices, retail stores, and restaurants where opening dates are tied to revenue.
Fast-track renovations in schools, hospitals, and public buildings where downtime must be minimized.
Homeowners want to move in as soon as possible; waiting months for screeds to dry isn’t practical.
Where delays in one unit or block could knock on across the entire program.
