BICO Industries, the largest manufacturer of glass fiber reinforcement for facades, in central and eastern Europe, a ROCA Industry company, launched the national campaign "Caution, the plaster does not fall", through which it aims to join the effort to rehabilitate buildings in the country, making fiberglass nets available free of charge to the owners and tenants' associations, who have already started to renovate the facades of the blocks. In this way, the company offers a viable and affordable solution to building owners in Romania who, according to the law, are obliged to bear the rehabilitation costs.
In order to bring the solution closer to the beneficiaries, BICO installed street advertising panels with QR codes in high-traffic areas of the country's major cities that, once scanned, lead to the campaign website where people can register the buildings. Moreover, BICO invites anyone who wants to contribute to the remodeling of the facades, by flagging the buildings that need donations. On the campaign website, users will find an interactive map with the help of which they can identify the buildings and signs with "caution falling plaster", thus supporting the company's efforts to make the cause known.
Adrian Butuc, CEO of BICO Industries, speaks about the need for such an initiative, declaring:
"Romanian cities are full of buildings with facades that are about to fall down. It's a sad reality and that's why, in our capacity as a regional leader, strongly anchored in the life of the communities, we want to contribute to change. Thus, we join the extensive building rehabilitation process, offering concrete solutions and products, so that Romanians can enjoy safe buildings and more attractive cities. We bring the authorities and the community together in this endeavor, emphasizing the role of joint effort in the reconstruction process of Romania. We provide high-quality products and we want to be a reliable partner for the municipality, so that we can offer people safe constructions that comply with European standards".
At the moment, Romania is facing a national problem, almost historical, of damaged buildings, with seismic risk, dangerous both for those who work in them, but also for passers-by. There are 2,687 buildings with seismic risk I and II in the country, and most of these buildings are in the capital, according to the data of the Ministry of Development. According to the law, the owners have the obligation to bear the rehabilitation costs, otherwise they risk fines and tax increases of up to 500%.
To benefit from free BICO products during the campaign, building owners must register on the campaign website and fill in the form.
BICO Industries has laid the foundations of a versatile technology park that allows, through close cooperation with the beneficiaries, to develop products adapted to individual requirements. This is also reflected in the campaign, where the logistics department of the company will check the eligibility of those registered and ensure that buildings selected as valid will receive the nets they need for rehabilitation. The company will publicly notify the beneficiaries as soon as the legal conditions are met.
The mission of BICO Industries is, through the premium products it produces, to contribute to the acceleration of the rehabilitation process of sensitive buildings, bringing them to the highest European standards.
Part ROCA Industry portfolio since 2021, BICO Industries is the largest manufacturer of fiberglass mesh, being in the top 3 producers in the EU and in the top 5 producers in Central and Eastern Europe. BICO Industries, which also incorporates Terra, Europlas and Iranga Technlogijos, has over 450 employees and five production centers: in Piatra Neamț, Vaslui (Romania), Chisinau and Vulcănești (Republic of Moldova), Vievis (Lithuania). The company's production capacity is 120 million m2/year, with a product portfolio consisting of glass fiber mesh for thermosystems and industrial products, polyester fiber mesh for industrial products, laminated glass fiber reinforcement and cornering from PVC and aluminum.