BY: LATONYA ROBERTS
Journal Staff Writer

Certified Testing Laboratory has partnered with MEDA Engineering and Technical
Services to introduce a new eco-friendly concrete and rebar that can withstand
natural disasters like; earthquakes, flooding, forest fires, and hurricanes.
President of Certified Testing Labs Whittington Brown explained to the Bahama
Journal that this new material is cost efficient. “With regard to being
environmentally friendly, the hurricane resistant factors of this product nullifies the
high insurance payments post hurricanes and other natural disasters. The only thing
they would have to do is maybe dust the building off, so it will actually save the
government money in the long run.”
President of MEDA Engineering David Lawn highlighted key elements behind the
material that make it eco-friendly. “The material itself is called a texon grizzly
reinforcement rebar that is made out of volcanic rock and because it is made out of
volcanic rock it has a number of wonderful principles. It takes high temperatures,
over 1400 degrees celsius, to get a reaction, it is corrosion resistant so it is perfect
in The Bahamas because of your salt air and it is also non toxic so it won’t hurt the
sea and other water applications.”
Founder of Lightweight Concrete Solutions, in Canada, Chris Calvin stated the
importance of why he thinks the Bahamian government should invest in the
product. “Although it does cost more, myself and David Lawn who designed a
shelter that was able withstand an EF5 tornado, CAT 5 hurricane, an 8.5 seismic
event, wildfires, and flooding.”
Mr. Brown said that his company is trying to introduce the cement and rebar to the
government as it will help significantly during the hurricane season. Although
representatives from Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRMA) were present
during the demonstration, they did not comment on the direction the government
will take in utilizing this eco-friendly and disaster resistant product.