MC-Bauchemie MC-Nafuplan EL
An SBS-modified elastomeric bituminous membrane built for cold-flexible, high-elongation waterproofing of roofs, basements and buried structures.
What is it?
An elastomeric (SBS-modified) bituminous waterproofing membrane from MC-Bauchemie’s Nafuplan range, carrying a non-woven polyester reinforcement for tensile strength and puncture resistance.
Where is it used?
RCC roofs and terraces, basement rafts and retaining walls, podium and buried decks, and other structures needing a continuous, movement-tolerant waterproof barrier.
Why use it?
SBS modification gives the membrane genuine elastic recovery and low-temperature flexibility, so it stretches over shrinkage cracks and thermal movement instead of going brittle and splitting.
How is it applied?
Rolled onto a primed, sound substrate with fully bonded laps; the elastomeric grade is installed as a sheet system by trained applicators, which Space Arc provides in-house.
About MC-Bauchemie MC-Nafuplan EL
MC-Nafuplan EL belongs to MC-Bauchemie’s Nafuplan family of bituminous waterproofing membranes, and the EL designation marks it as the elastomeric grade — bitumen that has been modified with SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) rubber. That single detail drives most of what the product does on site. Plain oxidised bitumen is stiff and prone to cracking once it ages or when the deck below moves; adding SBS turns the compound into something closer to a rubber, able to elongate under load and then pull back toward its original dimension. For an Indian project cycling between monsoon soak and summer heat, that elastic behaviour is what keeps a waterproofing layer intact over years rather than seasons.
The membrane is supplied as a reinforced sheet, typically carried on a non-woven polyester core that adds tensile strength and resistance to puncture during and after installation. Because it is a factory-made membrane, the applied thickness is consistent across the whole area — there are no thin spots the way there can be with a hand-applied liquid coat. Space Arc supplies MC-Nafuplan EL and, as an authorised applicator, installs it as a complete system across Delhi NCR and pan-India, which matters here because a bituminous sheet membrane lives or dies on lap detailing and substrate prep, not just on the sheet itself.
The technical insight
The reason the EL grade earns its place is cold flexibility and elastic recovery. In an SBS-modified bitumen, the rubber forms a continuous polymer network through the bitumen matrix, so the material stays pliable at low temperatures and behaves elastically rather than plastically. Practically, that means when a slab develops a hairline shrinkage crack or a joint opens and closes with temperature, the membrane bridges and follows the movement instead of tearing at the crack line — the classic failure point for unmodified felt. This is the same distinction that separates SBS (elastomeric) membranes from APP (plastomeric) ones: APP leans toward heat and UV tolerance, while SBS leans toward flexibility, elongation and recovery, which is what buried and movement-prone waterproofing actually needs. The polyester reinforcement complements this by carrying tensile load so the bitumen compound is free to stretch, and the fully bonded lap construction turns individual rolls into one continuous, monolithic barrier with no capillary path for water to track between sheets.
Where it is used
- RCC roof slabs and terraces exposed to thermal cycling and ponding
- Basement rafts, retaining walls and other below-grade concrete against ground moisture
- Podium decks and buried slabs over occupied space
- Foundations and substructures in salt-, chloride- and sulphate-bearing ground
- Tunnels, subways and cut-and-cover structures needing a continuous tanking layer
- Water-retaining and buried tank structures where a movement-tolerant barrier is required
- Sandwich waterproofing beneath protective screeds and civil overlays
Key advantages
- SBS modification delivers real elastic recovery and low-temperature flexibility, not just softness
- Bridges shrinkage cracks and thermal movement instead of splitting at the crack line
- Factory-made sheet gives uniform thickness with no thin spots over large areas
- Non-woven polyester reinforcement adds tensile strength and puncture resistance
- Good resistance to ground chemicals — chlorides, sulphates and dissolved salts
- Fully bonded laps form a continuous, monolithic barrier with no water tracking between rolls
- Suitable for both exposed and buried applications under protective screeds
- Backed by MC-Bauchemie system data and Space Arc’s in-house applicator crews
Limitations & considerations
- It is a sheet membrane — complex geometry, upstands and penetrations demand careful detailing and skilled hands
- Performance depends heavily on substrate soundness; a weak or contaminated deck compromises the whole system
- Application method (self-adhesive vs torch/heat-bonded) varies by grade, so the correct installation procedure must be confirmed against the current data sheet
- Torch-applied variants require hot-work precautions and are unsuitable near flammable insulation or in confined spaces without controls
- Exposed installations generally need surface protection or a screed for long-term UV and mechanical durability
- Not a self-levelling or crack-injection product — active leaks and structural cracks need separate remediation first
Selection & best practice
Success with MC-Nafuplan EL is decided before the first roll goes down. Start with a sound, cured, dry substrate — remove laitance, sharp protrusions and loose material, form proper coves at wall-floor junctions, and round off internal corners so the membrane is never asked to bend over a sharp edge. Prime the surface with the compatible MC primer and let it tack off; skipping or short-changing the primer is the most common cause of debonding. Lay the sheet so laps run correctly with the direction of drainage, maintain the specified side and end lap widths, and ensure every lap is fully and continuously bonded — most membrane leaks originate at laps, not in the field. Detail penetrations, drains and upstands with additional collar pieces rather than trying to stretch a single sheet around them. On buried or podium work, cover the membrane promptly with its protection layer and screed to guard against site traffic and backfill damage. Because installation technique differs between the self-adhesive and heat-bonded grades, always confirm the exact procedure against MC-Bauchemie’s current technical data sheet for the grade supplied, and use trained applicators — a service Space Arc delivers directly.
Specifications
| Product type | Elastomeric (SBS-modified) bituminous waterproofing membrane |
| Brand / range | MC-Bauchemie — MC-Nafuplan |
| Base chemistry | Bitumen modified with SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) rubber |
| Grade meaning (EL) | Elastomeric — cold-flexible, high-elongation, elastic-recovery grade |
| Reinforcement | Non-woven polyester carrier for tensile strength and puncture resistance |
| Form | Factory-made reinforced membrane roll, uniform thickness |
| Chemical resistance | Resistant to ground chlorides, sulphates and dissolved salts |
| Typical use | Roofs, terraces, basements, podiums and buried structures |
| Application | Bonded sheet system over primed substrate by trained applicators |
Industry use cases
Residential & commercial buildings
Terrace and RCC roof waterproofing that must survive years of monsoon and summer thermal cycling without cracking.
Basements & substructures
Tanking of rafts and retaining walls against ground moisture, with resistance to salts and sulphates in aggressive soils.
Podiums & buried decks
Sandwich waterproofing beneath protective screeds over occupied or landscaped areas where re-access is costly.
Infrastructure & civils
Continuous tanking for tunnels, subways and cut-and-cover structures where a movement-tolerant barrier is essential.
Frequently asked questions
What does the ‘EL’ in MC-Nafuplan EL actually mean?
Is this a liquid coating or a sheet membrane?
Can MC-Nafuplan EL be used below ground in basements?
Do I need a primer before laying it?
Why choose an SBS membrane over an APP one?
Does Space Arc install it or only supply the material?
How we position MC-Bauchemie MC-Nafuplan EL
MC-Nafuplan EL sits in the elastomeric-membrane tier of MC-Bauchemie’s Nafuplan range. Where a project wants a self-adhesive, cold-applied option, the MC-Nafuplan 15 self-adhesive membrane is the natural sibling; for exposed roofs biased toward heat and UV, the reinforced torch-applied Nafuplan 403/404 grades are worth comparing. Where a continuous liquid-applied barrier suits the geometry better than sheets — around clustered penetrations, wet areas or intricate details — Space Arc also carries acrylic and polymer-modified coating systems such as Fosroc Brushbond and Dr. Fixit membranes, which can complement or substitute for sheet waterproofing. For the movement joints and pipe penetrations that any membrane system has to terminate against, pair the installation with a dedicated PU or polysulphide joint sealant rather than relying on the membrane to seal dynamic gaps. Our team can specify the right combination for the deck, exposure and budget in front of you.
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