Written by Kerryn Caulfield, Executive Director, Composites Australia Inc.
Torbex©, CME›s legacy technology, and the company›s production and distribution systems, honed over decades of supplying the automotive industry, have been seamlessly adapted to supply the residential building industry and the demands of large bulk distribution retailers and plumbing suppliers peppered across the country. Ben Hughes, General Manager explains:
“We have an ongoing product development and innovation pipeline that capitalises on our recognised strengths as well as those of the materials and technologies that we’ve been manufacturing with for decades. The upfront set-up and tool costs for our legacy technology, Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC), are high. Consequently, high-volume building markets are the natural home for SMC technologies due to the economies of scale that make these costs manageable. Sheet Moulding Compound’s unique properties and production efficiencies cater well to the demands of large-scale construction projects, ensuring consistent quality and performance across numerous applications.
Our assessment of the building market revealed that the key to every residential build lies in the roofs, kitchens, and bathrooms. These spaces demand aesthetic appeal, durability, functionality and low maintenance. Additionally, sustainability has become a decision making factor in modern construction. For instance, the composite material used in our Barrington roof tiles enhances the thermal efficiency of buildings. The unique composition and design of these tiles help reduce heat transfer, potentially lowering cooling costs in hot climates.
This thermal performance aligns with the increasing energy efficiency requirements in contemporary construction. Our products, developed for ease of installation and sustainability, are well-positioned to meet these evolving demands.”
Composites Materials Engineering’s range of building products are marketed under registered proprietary brand names that target several markets and distribution channels: Barrington Roof Tiles, Bellessi and Akril.
Barrington Roof Tiles provide a modern, streamlined slate look without the issues of traditional materials. These lightweight tiles require minimal maintenance, are easy to handle and install, with each tile able to support up to 120 kg. The Torbex© formulation minimises the risk of breakage and resists moss and lichen growth, reducing the need for regular cleaning. The proprietary interlocking design and moulded water channels ensure they won’t leak or distort. Designed and engineered for all climates, the tiles are fire, hail and UV resistant, with a 30-year structural guarantee.
Bellessi Splashback panels are suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. They are 50% lighter and 25 times more impact-resistant than glass, making them cheaper and easier to install, particularly for DIY projects. The pigmented polymer provides enhanced colour options for designers. These panels are easy to cut, drill and polish on-site, feature a high-gloss finish and come with a 10-year indoor UV warranty. Bellessi is a cost-effective alternative to glass, reducing installation costs by 40% and shortening installation time by over four weeks.
Bellessi tile over tray for showers is a self-draining profile for tiling that can be installed directly onto joists, particleboard, hardwood flooring or concrete slabs for subsequent tiling. The waterproof system has a built-in fall and high weight rating. The perimeter lip can be trimmed to suit tile height for a seamless walk-through tiled base, saving time on building a screed and waiting for it to set. It meets Australian standards and is the only Australian-made structural, waterproof tray available. The Tile over Tray comes in eight sizes, upwards from 900mm x 900mm.
Bellessi shower niches offer practical waterproof storage for showers or other wet areas. They continue the concept of providing a profile to tile over, making them easy to install, clean and maintain. They are self-draining, resistant to mould and mildew, making them a hygienic choice for wet areas.
The Akril brand is aimed at the commercial distribution of building products, including plumbing suppliers, mirroring the range of splashbacks, shower niches, tile over trays, and versatile wall panels.
Formulated and compounded in-house by CME’s chemists and engineers, Torbex© – CME’s proprietary SMC technology – combines long glass fibres with polyester resin, fillers and additives. The fibres, chopped to a typical length of 25 cm, are impregnated with the resin on CME’s automated compounding line. The resulting sheet, formed by layering the resin mix and fibreglass, is passed through rollers to ensure uniformity. The compounded sheet is then stored to partially cure, achieving optimal viscosity and handling properties over several days. After which it is cut into specific shapes and placed into a heated cavity and core steel mould within an hydraulic press and formed under heat (typically 150°C) and pressure (up to 100 kg/cm²) initiating the material to flow and fill the cavity and the resin to undergo crosslinking.
Composites Materials Engineering’s strategic shift into the building materials market leverages its expertise in proprietary composites and high-volume production, supported by a robust national distribution network. “Our commitment is to remain competitive both commercially and technically. By focusing on continuous product development and innovation, our goal is to build resilience against market fluctuations,” advises Hughes.
Additional proprietary products made by CME include PremTac tiles for visually impaired pedestrian applications and confectionary and pharmaceutical trays. Other products include components for rail, truck and electrical applications. This diversification ensures CME remains a key player across multiple industries, delivering high performance solutions tailored to specific market needs.
