IKO Systems for the Renovation of the Factory in Debelets
A new stage is beginning in Debelets in the history of one of the major industrial sites in the Veliko Tarnovo region. The former Chervena Zvezda factory is an enterprise with significant industrial history and great importance for the local economy, and today its renovation is part of a large-scale project to revive a major production base connected with the needs of modern infrastructure construction. This turns the site into a project of particular importance – both as the restoration of a major industrial asset and as an investment with the potential for new production, new employment, and new value for the region.
The investor is Eterna Construction, which together with Groma Hold participates in some of the significant project consortia for the construction of major road construction sites in Bulgaria. The consortium consists of companies with decades of experience, an impressive machinery fleet, hundreds of completed projects, and participation in strategic infrastructure projects, while Eterna Construction stands on a long construction tradition and serious technical capacity. This is precisely why the renovation of the factory in Debelets should be seen not simply as the repair of an old production site, but as part of a much broader vision for the development of modern production capacities serving the major infrastructure projects in the country.
Armormat began the first deliveries for the renovation of the roofs of the enterprise in July 2026, with the quantities delivered so far amounting to approximately 9,000 sq.m of roofing waterproofing membranes. This marks the beginning of an essential part of the restoration of this impressive production base, because in large-scale industrial facilities of this kind, a reliable roof is a key prerequisite for protecting the buildings, the future high-value and modern equipment inside them, the production processes, and the long-term operation of the entire enterprise.
For the waterproofing system, the membrane IKO Powerflex 5500 AD/F SN was selected – a high-tech SBS bitumen membrane of the elite and professional class. It combines elastomeric bitumen, fire-protective properties, heavy trilaminate reinforcement made from a combination of polyester and glass fiber, and mineral protection with dark grey crushed slate. With a weight of approximately 5.6 kg/sq.m and a thickness of approximately 5 mm, IKO Powerflex 5500 AD/F SN is designed for systems where exceptional mechanical strength, stability, and long-term reliable performance are required on very large roofing areas.
A significant advantage here is the mechanical fastening and the “floating” principle of the roofing system. It allows free movement of the membrane in relation to the concrete substrate, provides many times better elongation of the waterproofing system, ensures full vapor diffusion, and offers very high security when renovating existing roofs. The increased width of the overlap strips to 12 cm, together with the strong trilaminate reinforcement, ensures reliable mechanical fixing, while the high strength of the membrane allows the execution of a very stable and durable single-layer system. At the same time, costs and installation time are reduced, since gas and labor for full torch-on welding to the substrate are saved, as well as the need for bitumen primer and the additional labor and time associated with it.
The choice of IKO for such an industrial site is entirely natural. When a large production enterprise with a significant future role in its sector is being renovated, the waterproofing system must be of the highest quality, exceptionally reliable, technologically justified, and capable of ensuring a long service life. This decision demonstrates foresight, technical awareness, and a professional approach on the part of the investor toward expert construction without compromise.
For Armormat, it is a recognition to be part of the renovation of a site with real industrial history and with future potential strategic importance for the development of modern production for infrastructure construction. This is yet another confirmation that in significant and large-scale projects, roofing systems are chosen that combine a proven brand, high technology, and professional-level security.