Promising times lie ahead for Malaysia's construction industry. Buoyed by the government's efforts to enhance transport and residential infrastructure, output value in real terms is expected to post a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.53% from 2019 to 2023. Consequently, the industry's output value is expected to rise from a value of US$33.6 billion in 2018 to US$43.9 billion in 2023, according to a GlobalData report.

However, the industry's growth puts increasing pressure on contractors to handle more projects to meet demand, and complete them within shorter timeframes - while remaining compliant to standards in safety and sustainability.  

To meet increasingly demanding needs, traditional methods of construction have to be replaced with new, more efficient, innovations.

Enter USG Boral's EasyFinish™ range - a cement plastering replacement designed as a solution to irregular wall levels and unsightly cracks. The EasyFinish™ range uses USG Boral's noncombustible plasterboard with a specially formulated bonding compound to ensure smoothest walls completed, at speeds up to 4 times faster than cement plastering.

USG Boral EasyFinish™ Systems and Tools

There are three main systems within the EasyFinish™ - the Bond, Solid and the Frame. All of these utilise USG Boral's bonding compound in different ways, to cater to different project requirements.

For projects that require quick installation and cost efficiency, the EasyFinish™ Bond sees the bonding compound applied with EasyScoop™ across the wall, with USG Boral's noncombustible plasterboard subsequently applied on top.

To enhance the efficiency of installation and further boost the solidity of the wall, the EasyFinish Solid™ system can be applied using EasyScoop™ and EasyTrowel™ tools. The EasyScoop™ doubles the productivity rate by facilitating a more efficient placement of the EasyBond™ compounds, especially in areas where the wall is subject to higher chances of impact and indentations. The EasyTrowel™ tool allows applicators to feather out the proprietary bonding compounds with less effort and time, to ensure that the wall leveling is straight and true. The result is a smooth, rock solid wall.

For projects that require a true surface on masonry wall, the EasyFinish™ frame system can be applied as a wall lining. This is especially suited for lining reinforced concrete walls or other block walls with severe irregularities. It also improves the acoustic performance while allowing services to be placed in its cavity.

Ultimately, EasyFinish™ is a system that is faster, smarter and tougher - allowing walls to be built 4 times faster than traditional cement plastering, without the need for highly skilled labour, as with cement plastering.

For the construction industry, it's now or never. All forecasts and reports point to continued industry growth - and the only way to meet the market's demand is through investments in product innovation, to enable efficiency.

"The EasyFinish™ system is helpful in keeping our construction site clean, enabling us to save cleaning time and costs. Moreover, the EasyFinish™ system is durable and provides long-lasting performance - defects are minimal so we do not have to worry about maintenance," Mr. Sim, Mawar Abadi (M) Sdn. Bhd. said.