UHPC developer Kulish closes funding round, rebrands as Steelike

Steelike Inc., developer of a namesake ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) formerly operating as Kulish Design Co. LLC, has announced a $2 million seed investment. Funding from a Chicago group-led round will expedite research and development of mixes and production methods, while positioning staff to continue building contractor, engineer, agency and precast producer relationships. The company’s signature, steel fiber mix attains one-, seven- and 56-day compressive strengths of 14,000 psi, 20,000 psi and 23,500 psi.

Steelike has especially made headway in mix designs where conventional truck mixers can be used in lieu of more specialized plant or portable models.

“The industry has been seeking a UHPC for infrastructure applications that is both easier to work with and competitively priced,” says Steelike President William Kulish. “After years of development, testing, and production, Steelike delivers on those needs with a product that meets or exceeds performance specifications required by federal and state agencies for highway infrastructure projects.”

“This investment round enables Steelike to accelerate its business and serve more customers,” adds CEO Chen Wang. “Demand for Steelike UHPC in construction projects, especially for highway infrastructure, has been growing and now we’ll be able to meet that demand.”

The producer’s five-mix series covers new construction and repair applications. Dry mixes ship in 40-lb. bags or 1,850-lb. supersacks. Companion steel fibers are packaged in 33- or 44-lb. bags dosed in respective quantities of four or three to attain 2 percent volume in a cubic yard. — Steelike, Springfield, Va., 609/703-2020; www.steelike.com