STP ShaliPlast PCE 300
Third-generation PCE high-range water reducer that cuts mixing water by 20–30% and holds slump through long hauls — built for M50–M80 concrete, self-compacting mixes and India’s demanding infrastructure pours.
What is it?
A third-generation polycarboxylic-ether (PCE) superplasticiser from STP Ltd — a light brownish, chloride-free liquid admixture conforming to IS 9103 and ASTM C494 Type G, with IS 2645 integral-waterproofing compliance.
Where is it used?
RMC plants, high-rise cores and columns, precast yards, bridge and metro segments, and self-compacting concrete through congested reinforcement.
Why use it?
20–30% water reduction unlocks M50–M80 strength, slump retention survives long transit, early strength shortens stripping cycles, and zero chlorides protect reinforcement.
How is it applied?
Dosed at 0.2–1.0% by weight of cementitious material into the gauging water or mixer — never onto dry cement — with the final dose fixed by site trials.
About STP ShaliPlast PCE 300
ShaliPlast PCE 300 is STP Ltd’s third-generation polycarboxylic-ether superplasticiser, built for the concrete grades where conventional SNF admixtures run out of headroom. Dosed at just 0.2–1.0% by weight of cementitious material, it strips 20–30% of the mixing water out of the design — the margin that makes M50–M80 concrete practical with locally available cements. It arrives as a light brownish liquid, is completely chloride-free, and carries dual compliance: IS 9103 and ASTM C494 Type G as a high-range water-reducing and retarding admixture, plus IS 2645 as an integral waterproofing compound.
For Indian site conditions, the retarding character matters almost as much as the water reduction. Transit mixers crossing city traffic in peak summer arrive with usable slump instead of a rejected load, and hot-weather pours gain placing margin rather than losing it. The product is compatible with all Portland cements, including sulphate-resistant cement, and with fly ash, GGBFS and micro silica — so it slots directly into modern low-clinker and high-performance mix designs. Space Arc Engineering supplies it in 225 kg barrels across Delhi NCR and pan-India, backed by STP’s technical support for trial mixes.
The technical insight
PCE chemistry disperses cement by steric hindrance rather than the electrostatic repulsion older SNF/SMF polymers rely on. The molecule is comb-shaped: an anionic backbone adsorbs onto cement grains while long polyether side chains physically push neighbouring particles apart. Water trapped inside cement flocs is released to fluidise the mix, so workability comes from particle geometry, not added water. Because polymer adsorption is progressive, the dispersing effect keeps renewing itself — the source of the slump retention SNF products cannot match. The ASTM C494 Type G classification signals a deliberate mild set-retardation: initial set shifts later, which is an asset in hot weather but also means the mix will not forgive careless overdosing, which extends setting time further.
Where it is used
- M50–M80 high-strength concrete for high-rise cores, columns and transfer girders
- Ready-mixed concrete that must hold slump across long, hot transit hauls
- Self-compacting concrete through congested reinforcement in rafts, pile caps and columns
- Bridges, expressways and metro viaducts — segments, piers and pylons
- Precast yards where early strength decides mould-turnaround economics
- Fast-track in-situ concrete requiring economical early stripping times
- Low water-cement, low-permeability concrete for water-retaining and aggressive-exposure structures
- High-volume pumped concrete where flowability governs placement rate
Key advantages
- 20–30% water reduction delivers high-density, high-strength, low-permeability concrete
- Excellent slump retention keeps mixes workable through realistic RMC transit times
- Pronounced early strength gain shortens stripping cycles in precast and in-situ work
- Chloride-free formulation — safe for reinforced and pre-stressed steel
- Higher mix cohesion cuts segregation and bleeding in flowing concrete
- Improves shrinkage and creep behaviour of the hardened concrete
- Works with all Portland cements including SRC, plus fly ash, GGBFS and micro silica
- Doubles as an IS 2645-compliant integral waterproofing admixture
Limitations & considerations
- Type G retarding action delays initial set — not suited to work needing rapid setting unless the mix is adjusted
- Overdosing extends setting time noticeably, so dispenser calibration and dosing discipline are critical
- Performance shifts with cement chemistry and concrete temperature — site trials are mandatory, not optional
- Must never contact dry cement; it has to be dosed into the mixing water or wet mix
- Flowing mixes exert higher formwork pressure, demanding watertight, strongly braced shuttering
- Premium PCE pricing is uneconomical for ordinary M20–M30 work where SNF admixtures suffice
Selection & best practice
Run lab and plant trials with the actual project cement before any production pour. Start inside the 0.2–1.0% band by weight of cementitious material; only self-compacting or very-low w/c designs justify moving toward 1.0–2.0%. Dose ShaliPlast PCE 300 into the gauging water or into the mixer along with the batched water — never onto dry cement — and give the load adequate mixing time, around three minutes. Track slump loss against ambient temperature: hotter concrete loses slump faster and sets earlier, so retention proven in winter trials must be re-verified in summer. For flowing mixes, use watertight, well-braced formwork, since fluid concrete pushes harder at the base of walls and narrow sections than conventional concrete. Keep barrels sealed, cool and shaded; shelf life is 12 months unopened.
Specifications
| Chemical base | Third-generation polycarboxylic ether (PCE) |
| Form / colour | Liquid, light brownish |
| Specific gravity @ 30°C | 1.06 ± 0.04 |
| Chloride content | Nil |
| Water reduction | 20–30% |
| Dosage | 0.2–1.0% by weight of cementitious material; 1.0–2.0% for SCC / very low w/c mixes (site trials to finalise) |
| Standards compliance | IS 9103; ASTM C494 Type G; IS 2645 (integral waterproofing) |
| Packing | 225 kg barrel |
| Shelf life | 12 months in original unopened packing, cool dry storage |
Industry use cases
Metro & Highway Infrastructure
Viaduct segments, piers and prestressed girders where M60+ strengths, chloride-free chemistry and tight segment-casting cycles all converge on one admixture.
High-Rise & Ready-Mix Concrete
Pumped M50–M80 core and column concrete that must survive NCR traffic between batching plant and placing boom without losing pumpable slump.
Precast Manufacturing
Early-strength gain releases moulds and prestressing beds sooner, raising daily casting output without leaning harder on steam curing.
Water-Retaining & Marine Structures
Very low w/c ratios plus IS 2645 compliance give dense, low-permeability concrete for STPs, reservoirs and coastal exposure.
Self-Compacting Concrete
Congested rafts, pile caps and architectural elements where vibration is impossible and the mix must flow without segregating.
Frequently asked questions
How is ShaliPlast PCE 300 different from ShaliPlast PCE 200?
What dosage should we start trials at?
Will it delay setting?
Is it compatible with PPC, fly ash, GGBS and micro silica?
Can we realistically achieve M70–M80 with it?
What is the pack size and shelf life?
How we position STP ShaliPlast PCE 300
ShaliPlast PCE 300 sits at the top of STP’s plasticiser family: ShaliPlast PCE 200 covers mid-to-high grades at a lower cost per cubic metre, while ShaliPlast PCE 300-VM adds a viscosity-modifying component for the most demanding self-compacting mixes. For projects standardised on Fosroc, Auramix 400 is the direct high-performance PCE counterpart and Conplast SP430 remains the economical SNF workhorse for ordinary grades. Space Arc supplies both families ex-stock, so the specification — not availability — can drive the choice.
Fosroc Auramix 400 — Choose Auramix 400 when the project specification or RMC plant is already standardised on Fosroc admixtures and needs an equivalent high-performance PCE with strong slump retention.
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