Revestimientos y Techos Duralmond, S.L. was created in January 2005, although it began its activities under other names in October 1998, and has its installations at:

Avda. Región Murciana
Parcela ITC-2/3
Pol. Ind. Base 2000
30564 Lorquí. Murcia (Spain)
Telef: 34+(9)68 694453
Fax: 34 + (9)68 694524
e-mail: duralmond@ duralmond.com

We currently have 10 manufacturing presses and 2 injectors which allow us to manufacture up to 73,920 objects every year, as well as a paint cabin and other machinery for machine work.
Duralmond’s founders received the 1st prize for Young Entrepreneur's Industrial Projects awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Industry and the Youth Institute in 1996 and the 1st prize for Young Entrepreneur’s Business Projects awarded by Murcia Town Hall in 1996, as well as the prize for the decoration company which has contributed most to the environment that is awarded by the publisher Axel-Springel (Nuevo Estilo, Micasa, La Quinta) and awarded by the then Minister for the Environment, Mrs. Isabel Tocino in 1999.

“Duralmond” is basically made of triturated almond shell and synthetic resins. The almond shell contains lignin and cellulose, which are basic components of wood.  This makes the objects that we manufacture have a behaviour and properties half-way between wood and plastic materials.
The different components of the paste, after being mixed, polymerize in closed moulds under pressure and at constant temperature and, after a set period, we can obtain the finished solid, rigid pieces that just need finishing.
We could highlight the following items from amongst the main characteristics of the material:

• Mimic Material – it adopts the form of the mould as well as the texture with great precision.
• Variable Density – with the same paste, we can obtain objects with very different densities ranging from 175 gr/litre to 700 gr/litre.
• Mechanical resistance – the material has a variable mechanical resistance which depends on its density. With a higher density the material is very hard and resistant to knocks and abrasion; with a low density it is less resistant but more elastic and lighter. With a medium density we can achieve excellent parameters to be able to work with the material for optimum results as far as the cut, sanding, drilling, screwing and nailing are concerned.
• Weather resistance – the material is practically immune to the effects of sun and is completely waterproof.
• Humidity – “Duralmond" is completely water resistant. In fact, we are building bathtubs, sinks and shower basins with it.
• Fire resistance – we can make the material so as to be fire resistant from grades M4 through M1 according to the Spanish Basic Building Regulations, depending on the object we wish to manufacture.
• Insulation – the resin creates interior micropores as it is polymerized which mean that ‘duralmond’ is perfect insulation both for heat and acoustics. Thanks to their normally curvy forms, the coverings have a dissipating effect on sound and reverberations.
• Ecological material – the fact that we make the most of a vegetable waste which does not produce any kind of liquid, solid or gaseous residue during the manufacturing process, and the fact that it is a biodegradable and recyclable material, mean that we can classify the material as ecological and avoid the cutting down of trees as it can function as a wood substitute.
• Resistance against woodworm and other biotic agents - it does not attract termites, woodworm, rot fungi or larvae insects and nor does it encourage the nesting of rodents and other insects.
• Cleaning – It is resistant against almost all home cleaning products and of course against water.

• BEHAVIOUR IN FIRE
  

  Fire reaction test according to UNE 23721. (23/12/2000) regulations.
  Results according to 23727, 16mm thick Duralmond is classified as M2.
  We can manufacture to M1 standard if the order requires it.

• ABRASION RESISTANCE
  Test according to UNE 56842 regulations for Duralmond with a density of 500 gr./l. painted on two faces with acrylic glaze.

  • Initial point 475 cycles.
  • Final point 675 cycles.
  • Abrasion resistance 575 cycles.
• IMPACT RESISTANCE
  Test according to UNE 56867 regulations for Duralmond with a density of 500 gr./l. painted on two faces with acrylic glaze.

  • Height = 30 cm.
  • Dent diameter = 4´80 mm
  • No crack
  • Valuation = 0 - (no changes)
• COLOUR STABILITY IN HOT WATER
  Test according to UNE 56842 regulations for Duralmond with a density of 500 gr./l. painted on two faces with acrylic glaze.

  • 20 cycles each consistent with immersion in boiling water, 8 hours in water at room temperature and 16 hours heated at 50ºC.
  • Result = 5 – (excellent)
• TRACTION RESISTANCE
  Test according to ISO 527 regulations for Duralmond with a density of 500 gr./l. painted on two faces with acrylic glaze.

  • Breakage load = 8´99 N/mm2
  • Breakage deformation = 4´08%
• CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND STAIN RESISTANCE
  Test according to UNE 53464 regulations for Duralmond with a density of 500 gr./l. painted on two faces with acrylic glaze.

  • Phenol disinfectant (9´5 g/l) = no deterioration
  • Bleach = no deterioration
  • Acetic acid (6%) = change in visible shine at certain angles
  • Citric acid (100 g/l) = change in visible shine at certain angles
  • Alcoholic drink (30%) = no deterioration.
  • Ammonia (320g/l) = no deterioration
  • Sodium hydroxide (530g/l) = no deterioration
  • Sodium chloride (264 g/l) = no deterioration
  • Sodium carbonate (225 g/l) = no deterioration.
  • Chloric acid (100 g/l) = no deterioration
  • Hydrogen peroxide (100 vol.) = change in visible shine at certain angles
  • Methylene blue (10 g/l) = no deterioration
  • Potassium permanganate (10 g/l) = no deterioration
  • Detergent at 85º C (10 g/l) = no deterioration