FLAGON PVC: the waterproofing membrane that shaped history

Polyvinyl chloride was observed by accident in two occasions during the XIX century, in 1835 by Henri Victor Regnault and after in 1872 by Eugen Baumann. In both cases a solid white mass of polymer was founded inside bottles of vinyl chloride that were exposed to sun light. Its best known acronym is, indeed, PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride). This thermoplastic polymer was first used in 1930 for hoses and had a sudden industrial development after the Second World War. PVC membranes entered the waterproof system scenario at the end of the sixties, at first it was employed in hydraulic works and later on also in underground works and roofing. And exactly these two business area had the capacity to exploit the technical characteristics making of PVC membranes unreplaceable partners when excellent waterproof protection performances were required, together with lightness and easy setting.

Flag was the absolute protagonist of this growth bringing into the Italian market experiences consolidated at a European level, and developing facilities and production lines on the national territory.
In the field of underground works the PVC waterproofing membranes have become a must in the tunnelling sector because they are the one able to create waterproofing directly on spritz beton used to consolidate natural tunnels. Flag actively collaborated to increase the technical know-how of the sector contributing to the realization of motorway galleries on the A24 Rome-Teramo and on the line 2 of Metropolitana Milanese (Milan subway) The technological and production progress of waterproof membranes Flagon PVC lead to the creation of translucent homogeneous membranes that also greatly increased the quality management performed by the operators but also in the direction of the most important European works. At the same pace the setting technologies have been developed with double track automatic welding devices Saldamax Duemila and the kits for pneumatic control of the welding lines. These controls were a turning point that allowed Flag to become a technical partner in the most important underground works all over Europe.

In the field of roofing the success of PVC membranes goes along with the development of building technologies that guaranteed the realization of large size works or works with particularly complicated shapes. In these cases Flagon PVC membranes, with inner reinforcement, allowed since mid 80ies an easy and quick setting of waterproofing systems on industrial plants, sport facilities, stadiums, sport palaces, supermarkets and malls. In most cases these covering systems were equipped with protection ballasting but the technological development of the company fostered the improvement of the products range implementing membranes fit for visible setting with total adherence to the support, and, much more, with mechanical fastening. This allowed conceiving lighter waterproofing systems, with a lower permanent load on the roofing and reduction of the structural grid with great benefits in works dedicated to commercial or logistic facilities.