Plastic formwork is a relatively new product, and it may not be very common in the construction industry yet. However, many organizations and governments are actively promoting this green product, and some have even mandated its use. Regardless of the promotion, what builders are concerned about is how to accomplish more tasks at a lower cost, that is, reducing expenses.      

    Aside from protecting the environment, the major advantage of plastic formwork is its reusability. The more times it is used, the more costs can be saved. Now, let's discuss how using plastic formwork can help save 50% of costs.        

      A previous case study was the Zhengzhou China State Construction Seventh Engineering Division's Guanhua International Project. At the time of signing the contract, the budget was over 3 million, based on wooden formwork estimates. After the upper floors were capped, only over 1 million was spent, achieving a budget saving of over 50%.

    To save costs, the most important factor is that the product must meet standards. If the product does not meet standards, as long as it does not exceed the budget, it will be a blessing, and one should not expect to save costs. In that case, it’s better to stick with wooden formwork.        

      Secondly, construction site management is crucial. Since plastic formwork is a new product, some carpenters may not have used it before, and compared to wooden formwork, plastic formwork may also be slightly heavier. Workers may be reluctant to use it, leading to resistance and negative comments about the product. We have encountered these issues, and don't these complaints sound familiar? When wooden formwork was being promoted, it faced similar challenges. The promotion of new products will inevitably have a transition period, but this is an inevitable trend, and if the site persists in using it, they will adapt.

      Another major issue is waste, which is also related to construction management. Sometimes, even if some plastic formwork is still usable, workers may prefer new boards and refuse to use the old ones, leading to significant waste. However, the management method employed by China State Construction Seventh Engineering Division is excellent. They let two buildings use plastic formwork simultaneously and compare the waste between the two. If there is a significant difference, it indicates that one side did not manage well. This situation can be addressed directly with the labor team to find a solution. With a comparison in place, workers will be more cautious during use, worrying about excessive waste. As a result, the cost savings for both buildings reached over 50%.      

      Many people ask me how many times plastic formwork can be reused. This question is actually difficult to answer because the number of reuses is directly related to the construction team’s handling. Under normal wear and tear, 30 uses are definitely achievable, and some can even reach 50, depending on the usage. However, if the formwork is mistreated or discarded carelessly, I cannot provide any guarantees. Therefore, the premise for achieving 30 reuses is that the formwork is used normally and not wasted recklessly.