VELOSIT founder Dr Jens Hofele has visited Hychem Infrastructure teams in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, marking more than a decade of collaboration between the German construction products manufacturer and its Australian partner.
Meeting with the Hychem team in August, Jens’ visit sparked discussion about VELOSIT’s product range, the Australian market and potential new solutions, with two products identified for adaptation for Australian applications.
The visit also provided an opportunity to reflect on a relationship that began almost as soon as VELOSIT was established in 2014.
Founded in Germany after building his career in the construction chemicals industry, Jens developed the company’s first products in a small laboratory before establishing its manufacturing operations. Australia quickly became part of VELOSIT’s international story, receiving the company’s first export container.
The connection was also personal, with Jens having a long-standing relationship with Hychem director Dean, who worked alongside him previously. That early relationship developed into the ongoing partnership between VELOSIT and Hychem, which has now spanned around 10 years.
Jens said Hychem’s technical expertise was a key reason the relationship had continued for so long.
“Hychem has a key point of difference and that is that the entire team is genuinely technically oriented,” he said.
“They have a strong understanding of each of the products and their unique applications, which makes a real difference when we’re working through real-world challenges across a broad range of projects.”
That exchange of technical knowledge was evident during the Brisbane visit, with Jens and the Hychem team discussing opportunities to adapt existing VELOSIT formulations to address specific requirements in the Australian market.
“We discussed two new products that are definitely needed for the Australian market, which will be an adaption of previous formulations,” Jens said.
“Hychem has the ability to provide invaluable feedback to us in terms of product innovation, so we’re looking forward to announcing these new solutions for Australian infrastructure projects very soon.”
VELOSIT currently produces specialist construction products across four main areas: waterproofing, concrete repair, flooring and tile setting.
The company’s approach has centred on developing products that can improve construction efficiency, with Jens personally identifying speed and low shrinkage as key drivers behind the company’s original product development.
Its products are now being used across Australian infrastructure projects, including the Adelaide Convention Centre Plaza deck and Newcastle SeaBreeze, as well as concrete repair and waterproofing applications.
Jens said seeing VELOSIT products used on major Australian infrastructure project was a highlight of his career.
“It’s a fantastic situation when you know that your product is on top of the Adelaide Convention Centre Plaza deck,” he said.
“You walk over these landmarks and you know under your feet is your product – it doesn’t get much more rewarding than that.”
Looking ahead, VELOSIT is also developing acid-resistant cementitious materials based on geopolymers, targeting applications where concrete is exposed to highly acidic environments, including sewage and biogas facilities.
The technology is currently being tested through projects in the Netherlands, with Jens identifying potential applications for the Australian market.
The development reflects the broader role of the Hychem and VELOSIT partnership, with technical feedback from the Australian market helping identify where existing formulations can be adapted and where new products may be required.
To learn more about VELOSIT and Hychem range of infrastructure solutions, click here.
We sit down with Neville Chapman, Hychem Infrastructure’s Technical Product Specialist – Tunnels, Mining and Geotechnical, to talk about some of the projects he’s been involved in across the past 25 years, and what it takes to be taken seriously by the country’s top geotechnical engineers.
Neville Chapman has spent his career working on infrastructure most people only ever see from the outside, like Snowy Hydro, Sydney Metro, Brisbane Metro, and major mine sites across Australia and New Zealand. Twelve months into his role at Hychem Infrastructure, he is now applying that experience to building out one of the most comprehensive ground engineering offerings in the local market.
As Technical Product Specialist – Tunnels, Mining and Geotechnical, Neville heads up Hychem’s ground engineering capability to grow a portfolio that gives geotechnical engineers a genuine alternative to the overseas providers.
Building an ecosystem
Neville’s focus since joining Hychem has been on developing the ground engineering range into something he describes as an ecosystem – a complete set of products covering microfine and ultrafine cements, colloidal silica, polyurethane and acrylic resins, and high-strength structural grouts.
“If you’re going to play in the ground engineering game, you have to think about your product range like an ecosystem, as opposed to a product list,” Neville says.
Tunnelling, mining and major civil contractors don’t want to source ground support and permeability control from three or four different suppliers, Neville explains, they want a single partner who understands how the products work together and who can stand behind the system for its design life.
Training the people who do the work
While the right product range is key, the other half of the equation is making sure the contractors installing Hychem’s systems are using the latest methods.
Neville trains accredited installers before they’re permitted to work with the company’s ground engineering systems, but it’s the ongoing support that sets Hychem apart from other suppliers.
Installers value the real-time technical advice they get from Neville and his team, he explains, from engineering support to the latest installation methods.
"We don’t just hand over a data sheet and send them off,” Neville says.
“We offer engineering support during planning, mobilisation and execution. I make sure our contractors are well-trained and properly supported by the Hychem team.”
Asked what he’s most proud of after 12 months in the role, Neville is quick to suggest it’s the team that really sets Hychem apart.
“We’re still a relatively small team, and that’s actually a strength,” he says.
“The big multinationals can’t move the way we move. When a client calls, they get an engineer on the phone who knows the project, the product and the site. That’s the difference, and that’s what we’re going to keep building on.”
Find out more about Hychem’s ground engineering capabilities here, and follow us on LinkedIn for more updates like this one.
Hychem Infrastructure offers an extensive array of geotechnical and ground-engineering solutions, providing engineers, contractors and asset owners with a complete suite of injection and grouting systems for ground improvement, water control and soil stabilisation.
In the construction and civil engineering sectors, ground conditions can determine whether a project runs to schedule or grinds to a halt. Water ingress, unstable geology, and low-permeability soils are among the most common subsurface challenges faced by contractors working on tunnels, shafts, deep excavations and mining infrastructure, and they demand solutions that are both technically precise and field-proven.
Hychem Infrastructure has expanded its geotechnical product range to meet these challenges, assembling a comprehensive portfolio of injection and grouting technologies specifically selected for demanding Australian conditions.
The range includes:
Microfine and Ultrafine cements for permeation grouting and ground strengthening in low-permeability soils,
Polyurethane systems for void filling, water cut-off and structural injection,
Urea Silicate resins for rapid ground consolidation and low exothermic void filling
Acrylic grouts for deep penetration and long-term sealing,
Colloidal Silica – an environmentally friendly option for soil strengthening and water ingress control.
These technologies are widely used for ground support, permeation grouting and curtain grouting, particularly where water ingress poses a risk to safety, schedule or asset integrity.
Experience where it counts
Leading the charge is Neville Chapman, Hychem Infrastructure’s Technical Product Specialist covering geotechnical, tunnelling, mining and concrete repair. Neville brings more than 30 years’ experience working alongside Tier 1 contractors on major underground and civil infrastructure projects across Australia, and his appointment reflects Hychem Infrastructure’s commitment to combining quality product with genuine technical capability.
“We’ve spent a long time curating this portfolio, and we’re confident we now have the right systems in place to support engineers and contractors across the full spectrum of ground-engineering challenges,” Neville said.
“I’ve spent many years working in this sector, and the one thing that consistently makes the difference is matching the right product to the right ground condition. That’s where our technical support comes in – it’s not just about supplying material, it’s about understanding the geology, the water pressures, the project constraints, and recommending a system that’s going to perform.”
Neville’s role extends well beyond product selection. He works directly with project teams to provide practical, experience-based guidance on injection methodology, system design and site-specific application – the kind of support that can be the difference between a grouting program that seals the ground first time and one that requires costly rework.
A natural evolution
The extensive geotechnical offering builds on Hychem Infrastructure’s established reputation in tunnelling, mining and subsurface remediation, where the company supplies specialist resins, structural repair systems and protective coatings for some of Australia’s most complex underground environments.
Dean Barr, Infrastructure & Commercial Manager – APAC/UK, explains that a strong geotechnical background positions Hychem Infrastructure as a genuine single-source provider for contractors and asset owners working in the ground-engineering space.
“This is a natural evolution for us,” Dean said.
“We’ve always had a strong presence in tunnelling and mining through our structural and protective systems, and in recent years we have grown to offer a complete geotechnical grouting and injection capability alongside those existing solutions.
“For our clients, it means they can access proven ground-engineering products backed by the same level of technical support and field expertise they’ve come to expect from Hychem Infrastructure across all our other service areas.”
Practical support, not just product supply
A key differentiator for Hychem Infrastructure in the geotechnical space is the emphasis on technical service. Every product in the range is backed by detailed application guidance, material selection support and, where required, on-site assistance from Neville and the broader Hychem Infrastructure team.
Whether it’s a complex water cut-off in a live tunnel, a permeation grouting program in difficult geology, or a curtain grouting design for a deep excavation, the approach is the same: understand the challenge, recommend the right system, and support the contractor through to a successful outcome.
“If you’re dealing with water control challenges, complex geology, or need guidance on selecting the right injection system, I’m here to help,” Neville said. “Whether it’s a phone call to compare notes on best practice or a detailed project discussion, that’s what we’re here for.”
Find out more about Hychem Infrastructure’s geotechnical and ground-engineering solutions here, and follow us on LinkedIn for regular updates!
The Hychem Infrastructure team recently made the trek to Las Vegas for one of the biggest events on the annual calendar – not the NRL season launch, but the World of Concrete exhibition.
Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the event brought together global suppliers, contractors and specialists to showcase the latest developments in everything concrete-related.
For Hychem Infrastructure, our focus was not so much on new construction, but on what the global market is doing to extend the life of existing assets.
A clear takeaway from the exhibition was the growing emphasis on repair, rehabilitation and surface protection as asset owners look to defer capital replacement and optimise lifecycle performance.
Dean Barr, Infrastructure & Commercial Manager – APAC/UK, said this trend closely aligns with Hychem Infrastructure’s core service offering across water, wastewater, transport, marine and industrial infrastructure, where targeted remediation delivers better value than wholesale replacement.
“New material technologies, faster-curing repair systems and improved application methods were an important focus for our team and reflected a broader industry momentum towards maintenance-led asset strategies,” he said.
World of Concrete also provided an opportunity to engage directly with Hychem’s international supplier partners and assess emerging technologies that may support future projects in Australia.
Dean said maintaining strong relationships with global manufacturers ensures Hychem can continue to deliver proven, high-performance repair systems backed by technical support and product development.
“While the scale of the Las Vegas event reflects the global nature of the concrete industry, the key insights are directly relevant to Australian infrastructure,” he said.
“Asset owners are all facing the same challenges – ageing structures, increasing compliance requirements and the need to extend service life without major capital expenditure.
“For Hychem Infrastructure, the event reinforced that the future of concrete is not just about building new assets, but about maintaining and protecting the ones already in service.”
More broadly, World of Concrete highlighted continued investment in workforce capability, digital tools and more sustainable material technologies across the global concrete sector.
Dean said these themes confirmed the importance of combining skilled people, proven systems and emerging technologies to deliver the most effective, efficient and safest solutions for Hychem Infrastructure customers.
We sit down with Hychem’s Production Manager, Matt Whittred, who shares his journey working at remote mine sites around the country as a tradesman, to the advanced manufacturing floor at our Brisbane headquarters.
From fly-in, fly-out work in the harsh South Australian coal seam gas plants as a sheet metal worker, to innovating as the Production Manager here at Hychem Infrastructure, Matt’s career is a testament to embracing new challenges.
Today, he leads the team responsible for manufacturing Hychem’s advanced composite systems, combining his trade background with a passion for innovation to deliver solutions that protect Australia’s most critical infrastructure into the future.
A hands-on journey to the cutting edge
Matt’s career began with a sheet metal apprenticeship just two weeks after high school, a trade that would eventually take him to the Moomba coal and gas seam plant in remote South Australia.
After four years of FIFO work, and too much time away from family, he returned to Brisbane where a conversation with mates took his career in an entirely different direction.
“Some friends working at Hychem, who I had known since high school, said they needed another site technician, so I jumped on board," Matt explains.
"For the next four years, I travelled all around Australia as a site tech. The rest is history, I guess!"
In 2023, Matt was promoted to the role of Production Manager at Hychem’s Brisbane HQ, but his hands-on approach and on-site involvement remain a core part of his role.
"I definitely like a mix of being in the workshop and out in the field, which helps me to ensure our products are being installed correctly and it also allows me to keep thinking about ways to improve how we do things," he says.
"When we’re producing our FRP products here in Brisbane, I’m on the floor with the team, working alongside them. It’s nice to be there to ensure the product quality is up to standard and I enjoy being hands-on. I wouldn’t have it any other way."
Solving the challenges of tomorrow
A commitment to world-class quality is what drives Matt and his team, and he says it’s a passion shared across the business, from the workshop to the engineering department. He and his team are devoted to remaining one step ahead of the curve, creating solutions to the challenges of tomorrow.
"I really enjoy keeping up to speed with not just Australia, but the rest of the world in terms of our product quality," he says.
"We need to stay one step ahead and look to constantly improve our products, which in my role means looking at innovative new manufacturing processes. It helps having in-house engineers that are equally passionate about the products we manufacture."
An example of this innovation in practice is the use of advanced materials like carbon fibre, which Matt and the Hychem team introduced to withstand harsh Australian conditions.
"OurPLC 100.6 carbon jackets are an example of our innovative material selection and in that example, it was an Australian-first innovation," Matt explains.
"In addition to our glass jackets, we now offer a carbon jacket designed specifically for sites where timber piles were used instead of concrete. This jacket allows us to offer a product that’s stronger and will deliver a far longer service life".
Matt also pioneered the shift from a traditional hand lay-up method to infusion manufacturing form any of their products. This ensures their products have 20-40% stronger tensile and flexural strength, while also enhancing the manufacturing tolerances capable.
"The shift to infusion has so many perks, but really it’s about taking proven systems and making them even better for local conditions," he says.
The same commitment to innovation is applied to the team’s customer service, striving to find solutions for seemingly impossible challenges. Recently, the team’s dedication was put to the test on a project that required an incredibly fast turnaround for a 95-metre bridge repair in New South Wales.
"We only had seven weeks to manufacture 1.2 kilometres of our PileMedic carbon jacket, as installation could only be carried out during a brief bridge closure," Matt says.
"Our team stepped up, providing a world-class solution with a quick turnaround for the client, but it was all hands on deck!"
Collaboration is key
For Matt, what truly sets Hychem apart is its people-focused culture, and he believes this translates to exceptional customer service.
"Hychem’s customer service is where we really stand out, and I really think it’s the result of such a passionate, knowledgeable team driving that constant improvement" he says.
"The amount of positive feedback we receive for going the extra mile, whether it’s the sales team getting their hands dirty on site or our engineers doing drawings late into the night, is incredible. We’re a small team, but we all help each other and we’re all here to lend a hand, from management down to the manufacturing floor."
Matt offers a unique blend of hands-on experience as a tradesman who has travelled the country sharing Hychem’s solutions, as well as extensive manufacturing knowledge as our Production Manager. Needless to say, Matt’s a critical component of Hychem’s local success.
Find out more about Hychem’s industry-leading infrastructure solutions here, and follow us on LinkedIn for more updates like this one.
A major rapid-cure waterproofing solution from Hychem Infrastructure ensured long-term protection for one of South Australia’s most iconic public venues.
Hychem Infrastructure has played a central role in safeguarding one of South Australia’s most important public buildings, installing a high-performance waterproofing system as part of the $397 million redevelopment of the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Working with Lendlease and the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Hychem’s team engineered and delivered a sophisticated solution across a sprawling 5,750 m² podium deck. The challenge: provide a lightweight, durable and fully compliant system capable of withstanding heavy traffic — and do it under an extremely tight construction program.
A rapid-cure system built for performance
The solution combined Hychem’s Matacryl RB waterproofing system, a rapid-curing membrane known for its flexibility and long-term durability, with Velosit SC241 lightweight screed to correct falls and reduce load. The technology’s standout feature was speed: the Matacryl system enabled forklift traffic within just one hour of application, ensuring follow-on trades could move in without delay.
“On a project of this profile, every hour counts,” said Dean Barr, Infrastructure Manager – APAC. “The ability to have forklifts driving on the deck almost immediately after application was a game-changer. It meant construction could keep moving, trades weren’t held up, and the program stayed on track,” he said.
The multi-layer system not only met all engineering specifications but also delivered a seamless, robust finish designed to protect the podium deck against the elements for decades to come.
Protecting an Australian-first convention centre
The Adelaide Convention Centre is more than just a building — it is a symbol of South Australia’s ambition and a key driver of the state’s visitor economy. Opened in 1987 as Australia’s first purpose-built convention centre, the venue sits prominently on North Terrace overlooking the River Torrens.
A major redevelopment transformed the precinct. The addition of new East and West buildings created striking architectural façades and expanded capacity to host up to 3,500 delegates in plenary mode. With more than 20,000 square metres of multi-purpose space, it is one of the largest and most flexible event venues in the country, hosting everything from global conventions to concerts and exhibitions.
“This project wasn’t just about waterproofing a deck,” Dean said. “It was about protecting a venue that welcomes thousands of people each year.
“The Adelaide Convention Centre is a showcase for South Australia. Being part of its transformation was something we’re very proud of.”
Setting a benchmark for complex public project
The Convention Centre’s podium deck waterproofing demonstrates Hychem’s ability to deliver technical, rapid-cure solutions at scale — exactly the kind of innovation required on complex public infrastructure projects.
“Every project we take on has its own set of challenges,” Dean said. “But what remains constant is our commitment to delivering systems that save time, reduce risk and extend the life of critical assets. The Adelaide Convention Centre is a perfect example of that in action.”
Read the Case Study
Hychem Infrastructure is proud to have sponsored long-standing client and approved applicator, Spartan Remedial, who participated in the 2025 Variety Bash, reinforcing a partnership built on shared values and community spirit.
Variety Bash is Australia’s longest running and most iconic charity motoring event, raising much-needed funds for children who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with a disability since its inception in 1991.
The rally takes teams across remote Australia, with the only prerequisite being that the vehicles must be more than 25 years old, offering an eclectic array of classic cars each kitted out with additions like bull bars, roof racks, spotlights and more.
Hychem made the decision to back the Spartan Remedial team and their decked-out EL Ford Falcon this year, donating $2,000 in support of a worthy cause. Spartan Remedial are a trusted applicator of our advanced material systems, so when we heard they were taking part, we just had to get involved!
“Spartan Remedial are a key partner of ours, and I've become mates with Directors Leigh and Jimi Driscoll over the years,” says Hychem Infrastructure Technical Sales Consultant, Dean Drummond.
“When we saw they were participating in the Bash again for such a fantastic cause, we wanted to be a part of it and do our bit to help out. They’re great clients, so it was our turn to return the favour and support their community efforts.”
The Spartan Remedial team, driving Car 2024, put in a stand out effort in this year’s rally, raising an incredible $20,000 and completing the drive in style. Their efforts contributed to a total of $1.83 million raised across the participants in this year’s event, with all donations going to Variety – the Children’s Charity.
Leigh Driscoll, Director at Spartan Remedial Services, shared his gratitude for the support received from Hychem and other donors.
“We would like to thank everyone who personally donated as well as the big companies that got right behind us this year,” Leigh said.
“Our car managed to raise over $20,000, and knowing that 100% of that goes to the kids of Australia is why we do it.”
Hychem Infrastructure is thrilled to have been involved in such a rewarding event, and we plan to continue supporting the Spartan Remedial team into the future.
Find out more about Hychem’s leading infrastructure solutions and our commitment to industry partners here, and follow us on LinkedIn for more updates like this one.