QSRTC Opens Thiocrete Garden at Local School

Doha, May 23 (QNA) - Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre (QSRTC) has setup a Shell Thiocrete concrete garden at Jassim bin Hamad Independent Secondary School for Boys. The garden is an educational area for students to study or relax in and is paved with Shell Thiocrete, a concrete that uses innovative technology to harness sulphur instead of water and cement to produce concrete, Qatar Shell said in a media statement Wednesday. The garden is also a tool for education, utilizing posters to raise awareness on the uses of sulphur in different applications such as concrete and asphalt. QSRTC General Manager Youssif Saleh said, "The idea behind this small contribution is ultimately to encourage students to develop and maintain an interest in science, and hopefully pursue a technical career in the future. For the students, seeing how relevant research produces tangible products that they can see and touch really puts things in perspective. This is in line with the human development pillar in the Qatar National Vision 2030." Shell Thiocrete offers high performance and environmental benefits compared to concrete made from Portland-cement. It is acid and salt-water resistant. It reaches maximum strength within hours rather than the weeks required for conventional concrete from Portland-cement. Shell Thiocrete does not require water either, which is scarce in many parts of the Middle East. Shell has established a research and development facility and a learning centre, the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre, at the Qatar Science and Technology Park. Shell has a financial commitment to invest up to US$100 million on programmes at the Centre over a 10-year period, the statement added. (QNA)