Sampyo Industry develops new special-mortar method following repairs to Seongsu and Olympic bridges

[Financial News] As the importance of maintaining aging infrastructure, including roads and bridges, grows, Sampyo Industry is moving to develop a new ground repair method based on special mortar it has used at actual repair sites. The move aims to expand its business beyond supplying basic construction materials into repairs and reinforcement by combining them with on-site construction techniques.
 According to construction materials specialist Sampyo Group on the 8th, Sampyo Industry, the group’s flagship affiliate, signed an MOU with SGO Tech on the 2nd for the joint development of ground repair methods and technical cooperation.
 The agreement was prompted by the recent use of Sampyo Industry’s special mortar in repair work to address uneven road levels on sections of Seongsu Bridge and Olympic Bridge. The Seoul Metropolitan Government carried out reinforcement work to ensure driving comfort and safety on those sections, using Sampyo Industry’s product in the process.
 Special mortar is a construction repair material made by mixing cement with special additives and other ingredients to enhance properties such as strength and adhesion. It is used to fill gaps in roads and bridges, correct differences in height, and repair and reinforce damaged structures.
 The two companies will focus on jointly developing materials and construction techniques through this collaboration. Sampyo Industry will supply special mortar for ground repairs and provide technical support during construction, while SGO Tech will develop ground repair methods using the material and apply them at work sites.
 In particular, drawing on data gathered at actual repair sites, including Seongsu Bridge and Olympic Bridge, the companies plan to improve the method’s constructability and quality, and eventually expand its use to repair and reinforcement projects at a variety of infrastructure sites, including bridges.
 In the construction industry, the importance of maintaining existing facilities and improving their performance is growing alongside that of building new infrastructure. The Korea Authority of Land & Infrastructure Safety is also working to advance technologies for managing aging infrastructure, conducting technology demonstrations this year on aging bridges that link the full maintenance process, from inspection and diagnosis through repair and reinforcement to management and operation.
 A Sampyo Industry representative said, “This agreement will provide an opportunity to take our technological competitiveness in ground repair to the next level by combining product quality with on-site expertise.”

[email protected] Kim Hyun-cheol Reporter