Fosroc Reebol Emulsion
Concentrated, water-dilutable chemical mould release agent for clean, stain-free stripping and high-quality fair-faced concrete on timber and metal formwork.
What is it?
A concentrated chemical mould release agent supplied as a pale amber liquid that turns white when diluted 1:5 with water. It chemically reacts with alkali in concrete to form a thin water-repellent skin on the formwork face.
Where is it used?
Formwork and shuttering on RCC building frames, precast yards, bridge and infrastructure works, water-retaining structures and any project needing clean, fair-faced concrete – especially timber/plywood shutters with strip times beyond 24 hours.
Why use it?
It releases concrete cleanly without oil staining, reduces blowholes, keeps shutter faces easy to clean between pours and, as a water-dilutable concentrate, cuts storage, transport and per-square-metre cost.
How is it applied?
Dilute one part concentrate with five parts clean water, stir thoroughly, then apply one thin film by spray, brush or cloth to clean formwork and allow to dry completely before placing concrete.
About Fosroc Reebol Emulsion
Fosroc Reebol Emulsion is a chemical-type mould release agent supplied as a concentrated pale amber liquid that turns milky white when diluted with water. Unlike a plain barrier oil that merely sits between the shutter and the concrete, Reebol Emulsion works chemically: it reacts with the free alkali in fresh concrete to form a thin, water-repellent skin on the face of the mould. That micro-thin film is what allows the hardened concrete to strip away cleanly, leaving both the cast surface and the shutter face in good condition. In Indian construction practice, where the same plywood or steel shutters are re-used dozens of times across a slab cycle, this clean release directly translates into faster de-shuttering, less honeycombing rectification and longer formwork life. Because it is a concentrate diluted on site at a 1:5 ratio with clean water, a single drum yields a very large quantity of working solution, which keeps both the landed cost and the warehouse footprint low for contractors and ready-mix-and-shutter operators. The product belongs to the wider Fosroc Reebol family of release agents, which also includes the neat mineral-oil Reebol, the higher-dilution Reebol Emulsion Xtra and ready-to-use grades such as Reebol M1 and M10, so a site can pick the grade that matches its shutter type and pour schedule. Space Arc Engineering, as an authorised Fosroc distributor serving Delhi NCR and Pan-India, supplies Reebol Emulsion in standard pack sizes for both building and infrastructure contractors.
The technical insight
The defining mechanism is chemical, not purely physical. Conventional shuttering oils form only a mechanical barrier film; Reebol Emulsion instead carries active chemicals that react with the calcium hydroxide (free alkali) liberated as cement hydrates. This reaction produces an insoluble, hydrophobic metallic-soap layer right at the mould interface. Two practical consequences follow. First, the bond between cement paste and shutter is broken at a molecular level, so release is reliable even on long de-moulding cycles beyond 24 hours where ordinary oils can dry out or be displaced. Second, because the film is water-repellent, surplus mix water and entrapped air at the shutter face can escape during vibration rather than being pinned against the concrete – this is why a correctly applied, very thin coat reduces blowholes and produces a fair-faced finish. The emphasis on a thin film is technical, not cosmetic: an over-applied coat leaves excess emulsion that can cause surface dusting or retardation on the cast face. The water-based emulsion chemistry is also why it is non-staining and safe with white cement, and why the diluted solution must be re-stirred if held over – the active phase tends to separate on standing.
Where it is used
- RCC building frames – columns, beams, slabs and shear walls cast against plywood or steel shutters
- Precast concrete yards producing panels, beams, lintels and architectural units needing fair-faced finishes
- Bridge, flyover and metro infrastructure formwork where strip times routinely exceed 24 hours
- Water-retaining structures – tanks, sumps, STPs and reservoirs requiring clean, blemish-free internal faces
- Architectural and exposed (fair-faced) concrete where staining and honeycombing must be avoided
- White-cement and decorative concrete work, where the non-staining property is essential
- Tunnel-form and system-formwork repetition work demanding many clean re-uses per shutter set
Key advantages
- Chemical release action gives reliable, clean stripping even on de-moulding cycles longer than 24 hours
- Non-staining – no oil stains to clean off, and safe for use with white cement
- Produces high-quality fair-faced concrete with reduced blowholes and surface blemishes
- Water-dilutable concentrate (1:5) means high yield and low storage and transport cost
- Wide coverage of roughly 80-160 m2 per litre of diluted solution keeps per-square-metre cost low
- Suitable for all common mould types – timber, plywood, steel and metal shutters
- Keeps shutter faces easy to clean between pours, extending formwork working life
- Water-based, so it is easier and safer to handle than heavy solvent or neat-oil products
Limitations & considerations
- Performance depends on correct on-site dilution – too strong or too weak a mix gives poor release or surface defects
- Must be applied as a very thin film; excess emulsion can cause dusting or retardation on the concrete face
- The coat must be allowed to dry fully before concreting – applying over a wet film compromises release
- Diluted solution can separate on standing and must be re-stirred, especially after about 5 days
- Being water-based, the dried film can be washed off by heavy rain on exposed shutters before the pour
- Not a curing compound, sealer or waterproofing product – it is strictly a formwork release agent
- Heavily rusted metal moulds must be cleaned to bright metal first, or release and finish suffer
Selection & best practice
Always dilute at 1:5 with clean water in a clean container and stir until uniformly milky; do not over-dose the concentrate. Make sure shutters are clean and free of old concrete, laitance and previous oil – use a detergent for grease and a descaler such as Reebol-compatible cleaner for cement deposits. Apply a single, very thin coat by fine-mist spray (preferred), brush or clean cloth, using two coats only on very absorbent new timber, and let it dry completely before placing concrete. If the solution is held overnight or for several days, stir it again before re-use. On exposed shutters left for days before the pour, re-coat to refresh the film.
Specifications
| Product type | Concentrated chemical mould (formwork) release agent |
| Appearance | Pale amber liquid; turns white when diluted with water |
| Action | Reacts with alkali in concrete to form a water-repellent release film |
| Dilution rate | 1 part Reebol Emulsion : 5 parts clean water (by volume) |
| Coverage (diluted) | Typically 80 to 160 m2 per litre of diluted material |
| Application method | Spray, brush or cloth – one thin coat (fine mist preferred) |
| Suitable substrates | Timber, plywood, steel and metal moulds/shutters |
| Non-staining | Yes – safe for use with white cement |
| Drying | Must be allowed to dry fully before concrete is placed |
| Diluted solution stability | Re-stir if not used same day; good stirring needed after ~5 days |
| Packaging | Available in 5, 20 and 200 litre containers |
| Shelf life | 12 months in original sealed containers |
| Storage | Store in cool, dry conditions, approx. 5 C to 40 C |
Industry use cases
Residential & Commercial Buildings
On multi-storey RCC frames in Delhi NCR, Reebol Emulsion is brushed or sprayed onto plywood shutters before each slab and column pour, giving clean de-shuttering and fair-faced soffits that need minimal plaster preparation.
Precast & Architectural Concrete
Precast yards use it on steel and resin-coated moulds to demould panels, beams and decorative units without staining – critical where the cast face is the finished, exposed surface.
Infrastructure – Bridges & Metro
For piers, pier caps and segment casting where shutters stay in place well beyond 24 hours, its chemical release film ensures the concrete still strips cleanly without honeycomb rectification.
Water-Retaining Structures
In tanks, sumps and STPs, the non-staining, low-blowhole finish supports dense, clean internal faces that are easier to subsequently treat or coat for water tightness.
White-Cement & Decorative Work
Because it does not stain, it is chosen for white-cement architectural concrete and feature walls where conventional dark mould oils would mark the finished surface.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fosroc Reebol Emulsion used for?
What is the correct dilution ratio for Reebol Emulsion?
How much area does one litre cover?
How is Reebol Emulsion different from ordinary shuttering oil?
Can it be used with white cement and fair-faced concrete?
What is the shelf life and how should it be stored?
How we position Fosroc Reebol Emulsion
Reebol Emulsion sits in the middle of the Fosroc Reebol release-agent range. If you need a higher-dilution, more economical emulsion for large repetitive shutters, step up to Reebol Emulsion Xtra (diluted 1:6, specific gravity typically 0.960 at 25 C). Where a ready-to-use neat oil is preferred over an on-site dilution, the original mineral-oil-based Reebol (golden yellow, specific gravity 0.88-0.89 at 25 C, flash point above 160 C) or the ready-mixed Reebol M1 and M10 grades are the alternatives. Within Fosroc’s wider formwork ecosystem it pairs with Reebol Formcote for sealing new plywood and Reebaklens for cleaning cement deposits off shutters. Against competitor systems, Reebol Emulsion competes with chemical and emulsion release agents such as Sika Separol / Sika brand mould oils, MBS (MYK) release agents, Dr. Fixit shuttering-oil products and STP (Shalimar) release agents. The honest distinction is the chemical-reaction film and proven non-staining, fair-faced performance with strong economy from concentrate dilution; the trade-off is that it is more sensitive to correct dilution and thin, fully-dried application than a simple ready-to-use oil. For sites prioritising fair-faced finish and shutter economy on long strip cycles, it is a strong default; for quick, foolproof daily use a ready-to-use grade may suit better. Space Arc Engineering can advise on the right Reebol grade for your shutter type and supply it across Delhi NCR and Pan-India.
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