Light-weight panels (Promabest)

Do you have old fire walls or ventilation ducts in your property and want to renovate them? Then you should pay attention. Because in many older buildings, lightweight boards with a high asbestos content were used for this purpose.

The material, also known as Promabest, poses a high health risk. During renovation work with the asbestos-containing building material, there is a risk of being exposed to carcinogenic fibers. To be on the safe side, the suspected material should be tested for asbestos even before the work begins.

• Typical types of asbestos in promabest: chrysotile and amosite, rarely crocidolite
• Asbestos content: up to 40%

Simply send us a sample and CRB will reliably test the material for possible contaminants. Protect your health.

Frequently asked questions about asbestos-containing lightweight panels, Promabest

What is Promabest?

In the 1970s, wall panels with a high asbestos content were sold in West Germany under the name Promabest or Promabest panels. They were often installed as insulation material and for fire protection. In East Germany, similar lightweight asbestos boards were produced under the names Sokalith, Neptunit and Baufatherm. Promabest and similar lightweight boards from this period are classified as "weakly bonded asbestos products." This means that mechanical stress or damage to the material can release asbestos fibers relatively easily. The asbestos content of Promabest is between 12 and 40 percent.

Do lightweight panels contain asbestos?

Not all lightweight panels contain asbestos. Since 1993, asbestos has been banned as a production material in Germany. But in the 1960s, manufacturers began to use asbestos for lightweight wall and floor panels. Asbestos is a particularly resistant material that has fireproof and moisture-repellent properties. Lightweight panels such as Promabest were therefore widely used for fire protection. Production was discontinued in the 1990s. Due to its frequent use, building materials containing asbestos can still be found in older buildings. Therefore, play it safe and have an asbestos analysis done before renovation.

What was Promabest used for?

The lightweight panels were preferably used in areas where special protection against heat or moisture is required. The building material served as fire protection on walls and in ventilation ducts. The asbestos-containing boards were also used on partition walls, ceiling and interior wall cladding, and column and beam sheathing. Due to their moisture-repellent properties, they are also occasionally found in wet rooms such as bathrooms or laundry rooms.

How can I recognize lightweight panels containing asbestos?

It is impossible to tell with the naked eye whether a lightweight panel contains asbestos. Asbestos does not smell and cannot be clearly distinguished visually from other materials. In 1993, asbestos was banned as a production material in Germany. However, some products manufactured shortly before were still on the market for one to two years until the warehouses were empty. So if the suspect material was installed in the building before 1995, there is generally a suspicion of asbestos. Only an asbestos test can provide definite certainty. CRB can determine the presence of asbestos on the basis of only a small sample.

How do I remove and dispose of lightweight panels with asbestos?

Asbestos fibers can be released if the material is damaged. Due to the health risks involved, we therefore advise you not to carry out the cleanup and disposal of the asbestos-containing building material yourself, but to commission specialized companies to do so. These companies use special protective clothing for the cleanup work and often take care of the disposal of the asbestos-containing products at the same time. When selecting the company, make sure that it is certified by the asbestos certificate based on the TRGS 519 or 521 course.

How much does the removal and disposal of Promabest panels containing asbestos cost?

The cost depends on the amount and weight of the material to be removed. If workers have to work in hard-to-reach places in the house - on the roof, for example - there may be additional costs for special equipment. The prices of certified companies also vary widely by region. Clients must expect costs in the range of 30 to 45 EUR per square meter. In addition, there is the cost of disposal. Landfills charge between EUR 100 and 300 per ton of asbestos-containing material.

Identification of asbestos in light-weight panels, Promabest by means of SEM images and energy-dispersive element-spectra