A Rockdale company has received a federal government grant of more than $450,000 to continue its development of a new emergency roof covering system for storm-damaged buildings.
The Stormseal system, which was used at Kurnell after the pre-Christmas tornado, was developed and patented by Matthew Lennox, a Cronulla resident.
Mr Lennox, who founded the Stomseal company and is its managing director, said the funding would allow the system to be fully commercialised.
Mr Lennox said it involved “a unique patented polyethylene film that heat shrinks to cover damaged roofs or walls”.
“It provides strong, secure, cost-effective and lasting weather protection, unlike tarpaulins, the traditional alternative,” he said.
The funding was provided under the federal government’s Entrepreneurs’ Program.
Grants were announced before the election was called by Assistant Minister for Innovation, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Wyatt Roy.
Mr Lennox said two patents, together with trademarks had been granted.
He said the idea came to him while he was overseeing repairs and reconstruction for several insurance companies while wet and windy conditions were continuing.
“Damages claims can multiply fourfold due to failing tarpaulins,” he said.
“It sparked the idea to develop the shrinking resin in the Stormseal film, which can wrap tightly to any roofline to resist wind, rain and hail until permanent repairs can be made.
“Unlike flapping, leaking ‘tarps’, which usually require multiple reattachments, using ropes and sandbags, Stormseal stays put.
‘Our tests have found our product to be faster, cheaper and easier to install than a tarpaulin and can be cut and tailored at the work site.
“Other major benefits are that Stormseal weighs less than one-third as much and requires less than one-eighth of the storage space compared to tarpaulin.
“Heat curing changes the chemical structure of the Stormseal film, enhancing its strength.”
