What Derbigum does

Derbigum Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd is a privately-held South African company founded in 1981 that manufactures APP-modified bitumen waterproofing membranes at its plant in Alrode, Johannesburg. The company sells two primary product lines: Derbigum SP (Special Polyester) for exposed roofing applications including concrete roofs, parking decks, and insulated roofs, and Derbigum CG (Civils Grade) for tanking, basements, retaining walls, and buried structures. The underlying technology, Atactic Polypropylene (APP) modified bitumen, was discovered by Dr. Romolo Gorgati in 1964 and licensed to Derbigum South Africa for local manufacture, with the company holding S.A. Agrément Certificate No. 7/172 since September 1987.

The company's go-to-market is exclusively indirect: it sells through a curated network of Approved Derbigum Contractors (ADCs) responsible for installation, and through Waterproofing Centres that act as sole national distributors and also stock complementary products such as primers, self-adhesive membranes, drainage systems, and liquid-applied coatings. Customers are South African construction-industry buyers — building owners, developers, contractors, and quantity surveyors — with use cases spanning roofs, basements, retaining walls, balconies, parking decks, roof gardens, and expansion joints. Revenue is generated on one-time product sales rather than subscriptions or licensing.

The company operates branch offices across five South African provinces (Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga) plus its manufacturing plant, employs 11-50 people, and is fully South African owned with no disclosed external investors or funding rounds. Its strategic positioning emphasizes the "Triangle of Excellence" — proprietary product, trained contractor base, and design specification support — bundled with green building alignment via Green Building Council of South Africa membership.

Name

Derbigum

Legal name

Derbigum Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://derbigum.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Derbigum Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd is a South African manufacturer of APP-modified bitumen waterproofing membranes, selling Derbigum SP and CG ranges exclusively through Approved Derbigum Contractors and Waterproofing Centres for construction-industry buyers across South Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waterproofing Membranes

NAICS

Asphalt Paving, Roofing, and Saturated Materials Manufacturing (32412)

SIC

Asphalt Paving & Roofing Materials (2950), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro primary industry

Waterproofing Membranes & Systems (Liquid-Applied & Sheet) (IMADAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial & Waterproofing Bitumen Products (Roofing, Membranes, Shingles, Sealants) (EUALAKAF)

Keywords

• Waterproofing membranes
• Torch-on roofing
• APP modified bitumen
• Civils grade membranes
• Roof waterproofing systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Waterproofing Membrane Sales: Derbigum generates revenue through the sale of waterproofing membrane products (SP and CG ranges) and related waterproofing products. Products are sold through Approved Derbigum Contractors and Waterproofing Centres throughout South Africa.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Derbigum manufactures and supplies APP-modified bitumen waterproofing membranes (Derbigum SP and Derbigum CG ranges) along with related waterproofing accessories such as primers, self-adhesive membranes, drainage systems, and expansion joint materials. The products are engineered for South African climatic conditions and are used for roofs, basements, retaining walls, balconies, parking decks, roof gardens, and expansion joints in commercial and residential construction projects.

Product overview

Derbigum Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd is a fully South African owned company specializing in the local manufacture of reinforced waterproofing membranes. The company offers two main product lines: Derbigum SP (Special Polyester) for exposed waterproofing applications including concrete roofs, timber boarded roofs, insulated roofs, and parking decks; and Derbigum CG (Civils Grade) for tanking, buried work, underground waterproofing, retaining walls, roof gardens, and planters. Both product lines are APP-modified bitumen membranes with polyester and glass fibre reinforcement. The company also distributes related waterproofing products including primers, sealants, self-adhesive membranes, drainage systems, and expansion joint materials through the Waterproofing Centre network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Derbigum SP (Special Polyester): Dual reinforced membrane specified for exposed waterproofing situations including concrete roofs, timber boarded roofs, wide gutters, insulated roofs, and parking decks. Features include excellent tensile strength and elasticity, excellent weathering properties, temperature stability, and high impact and fatigue resistance.
• Derbigum CG (Civils Grade)

Products and services

• Derbigum SP (Special Polyester) Dual reinforced APP-modified bitumen waterproofing membrane for exposed waterproofing situations including concrete roofs, timber boarded roofs, wide gutters, insulated roofs, and parking decks. Features a high strength polyester core and top layer of reinforced glass tissue, manufactured in South Africa for harsh African climate.
• Derbigum SP3 3mm thick variant of Derbigum Special Polyester membrane primarily used for parapet walls. Approximate weight 3.2 kg/m2, 1000mm width, 10m roll length.
• Derbigum SP4 4mm thick UV-stable polymer modified bitumen exposed roof membrane. Approximate weight 4.2 kg/m2, 1000mm width, 10m roll length. Tensile strength longitudinal 469N, transverse 374N.
• Derbigum SP5 5mm thick variant of Derbigum SP membrane designed for parking decks. Approximate weight 5.25 kg/m2, 1000mm width, 8m roll length.
• Derbigum CG (Civils Grade) Civils grade waterproofing membrane designed for tanking and buried work. APP-modified bitumen matrix combined with composite core of polyester and glass fibre for high tensile strength and dimensional stability. Used for underground tanking, retaining walls, roof gardens, planters, parking decks, and under paving or tiles.
• Derbigum CG2 2mm thick non-waterproof membrane used as slipsheet, protection sheet, or separation layer. May be bonded or mechanically fixed. Approximate weight 2.1 kg/m2.
• Derbigum CG3 3mm thick membrane. Ideal underlay for Derbigum CG4 or SP4 in roofing applications. Approximate weight 3.2 kg/m2.
• Derbigum CG4 4mm thick membrane with excellent tear resistance. Used in single or double layer applications for underground tanking, retaining walls, and parking decks. Approximate weight 4.2 kg/m2.
• Derbigum CG4H 4mm horticultural variant with root growth inhibitors added to the APP matrix. Used in roof gardens and planters where plant root systems could damage waterproofing.
• UniTorch Polymer modified reinforced roofing membrane distributed through Waterproofing Centre as a complementary torch-on product.
• Hydroflex Cementitious waterproof protective coating for surface protection distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• DB300 Self-adhesive waterproofing membrane distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• DB530 Self-adhesive waterproofing membrane distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Sylbond TS200 Reinforced self-adhesive waterproofing membrane distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Sylbond FB150 High performance elastomeric membrane distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Tilesafe Self-adhesive waterproofing membrane distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Geoflex Flexible, acrylic based waterproofing liquid distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Delta MS8 Dimpled drainage system for underground vertical drainage distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Delta MS20P Dimpled drainage system for horizontal surfaces distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Delta Roof Drain Thermoplastic rubber drainage outlet distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Neodyl Expansion joint material for waterproofing movement joints distributed through Waterproofing Centre.
• Bitumen Primer Versatile bituminous primer for surface preparation distributed through Waterproofing Centre.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Waterproofing CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaterproofing Centres throughout South Africa are the sole distributors of Derbigum SP and CG products. They also stock other related waterproofing products such as drainage pipes, self-adhesive waterproofing membranes, paints, primers, and other accessories. They serve as the primary distribution channel for Derbigum products.
• Agrément South AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent organization that evaluates fitness for purpose of non-standardised building and construction products. Derbigum holds S.A. Agrement Certificate No. 7/172 awarded in September 1987, demonstrating compliance with quality standards.
• Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA)minorOthersDerbigum displays the Green Building Council logo on their website indicating membership or endorsement. Supports sustainable building practices through products like roof gardens that provide environmental benefits.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Mapei: Italian-headquartered construction chemicals manufacturer with a comprehensive waterproofing portfolio including bitumen membranes and cementitious systems. Highly comparable heritage, product mix, and contractor-channel model to Derbigum.
• a.b.e. Construction Chemicals: South African manufacturer of waterproofing products, sealants, and concrete repair systems. Direct local competitor serving the same waterproofing contractors and construction specifiers across South Africa.
• IKO Industries: Global manufacturer of bitumen-based waterproofing membranes and roofing systems, and the current owner of the international Derbigum brand. Closest direct technological and product-line competitor for APP/SBS modified bitumen membranes.
• Bauder: European manufacturer of bitumen and single-ply waterproofing membranes with strong specification presence in commercial roofing. Comparable in membrane product range and technical specification-led sales approach, though operating primarily in Europe rather than Africa.
• Sika AG: Global specialty chemicals leader offering waterproofing membranes, sealants, and roofing systems through a South African subsidiary. Direct overlap with Derbigum in APP/modified-bitumen and liquid-applied waterproofing chemistries serving construction and infrastructure projects.
• Fosroc: International specialty construction chemicals company offering waterproofing membranes, sealants, and concrete protection products. Comparable position as a B2B waterproofing supplier serving contractors and specifiers in similar applications.
• Soprema: Specialist waterproofing manufacturer producing modified bitumen membranes, synthetic membranes, and liquid systems globally. Directly comparable in bitumen membrane technology, applications, and contractor-channel distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Carlisle Construction Materials: North American leader in waterproofing membranes (EPDM, TPO, modified bitumen) and roofing systems serving commercial and infrastructure customers. Comparable in membrane technology and roofing applications, but at substantially larger scale and broader product breadth.
• BASF Master Builders Solutions: Global construction chemicals division offering waterproofing membranes, coatings, and concrete protection systems. Overlaps with Derbigum in commercial waterproofing but operates as a much broader portfolio across multiple construction chemistries.

Emerging players

• Penetron International: Manufacturer of crystalline waterproofing admixtures and systems for concrete structures, tanking, and below-grade applications. Comparable in the civils/tanking waterproofing segment where Derbigum CG competes, but using different (crystalline) chemistry.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Derbigum