EcoSur: Concrete Roof Tiles, puzolanic cement, earth houses, ecomaterials

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February 2003

Networking from Namibia to Bangladesh

Peter Arndt & Beate Grunzke

As consultants from the EcoSouth Network we (Beate Grunzke and Peter Arndt) visited the NGO DUS-Bangladesh in Bangladesh. The task of Peter was to supply the MCR technology implemented by DUS. Beate should design a homepage for DUS.

Plastering of earthern walls: a possible solution

Fernando Hinojosa

When the opportunity of investigating about plaster in adobe masonry, a series of images came to mind of Andean constructions, especially those prior to the Spanish conquest. Many are still standing today, testimony to the dignity, knowledge of Andean man's sensitivity.

A creative strategy for marketing MCR in Ecuador

Several years ago, in Riobamba, Ecuador, Techo Fácil MCR producers came more aggressively onto the market, with a marketing strategy that included the sale of its products through distributors in the six hardware stores of the city.

Managing a MCR business

Kurt Rhyner

Micro Concrete Roofing tiles (MCR) are produced in some 25 countries around the globe. In Latin America, where the technology has been most successful, by the end of the year 2002 more than 23,000,000 square meters have been produced, which is equivalent to some 350,000 roofs. The total value of MCR sold surpasses $US 65,000,000.

News - February 2003

MCR Standards in Zimbabwe
I am proud to confirm that Zimbabwe now has MCR National Standards, wrote Dr. Kuchena, director of the Building Technology Institute of SIRDC. After a series of committee meetings where drafts, drawings, etc. were discussed, the process begun by the BTI in September of 2001 came to a successful close by the end of 2002. Backup support was provided by Harare MCR producer Maytee Campos and EcoSouth consultant Peter Dunckley. Congratulations to the entire team!

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Guatemala investigation about plaster underway
In Guatemala field work for the investigation about plastering clay walls is underway and in December clay houses were visited and the plastering analyzed and samples taken from 76 different sites. At the university laboratory 76 corresponding test patches were made on a clay wall. In five spots on the wall, they will attempt to pull a piece of the plaster off each sample. This is but one of several tests that will be performed by the group of students and their tutors at the University of San Carlos.
The students are discussing the need to deepen their understanding about traditional rural architecture and construction technologies and they are hoping to broaden this investigation.