MORE than 60 years after Onduline sheeting was developed in France, the hardy roofing material touted as an environmentally friendly alternative to corrugated iron has arrived in Myanmar.

Yangon-based System Engineering Co., Ltd received its first shipment of 5000 Onduline sheets from Malaysia late last month.

Onduline is a tough, lightweight roofing and wall-cladding material that comes in four natural pigmented colours – brown, green, red and black.

The sheets measure 7 feet by 3.2 feet and cost K9500 each for the three colours, while the less-popular black sheets are K8500 each, System Engineering Co. managing director U Kyaw Kyaw Soe said.

“The main advantage of this roofing material is that it’s hard to rust, it’s soundproof and it’s light to carry.

“But one of its weaknesses is that its colours are not very bright, even though it lasts for at least 15 years,” U Kyaw Kyaw Soe said, referring to a 15-year replacement warranty offered by manufacturers.

Made from organic fibres (waste paper) saturated with bitumen, Onduline is flexible enough to curve as nailed over a frame, allowing design freedom for unusual roofing or wall shapes.

Corrugated iron in Yangon currently costs K7000 for a 7x2.3ft sheet, or K9000 per 9x2.3ft sheet.