Pelican Systems now stocks a curated range of NMC cornices, from the 21mm QR quarter-round through to the 110mm A profile, plus two NMC skirtings (M80 and M100). Manufactured from closed-cell polystyrene, these profiles resist cracking from minor building movement, arrive primed and paintable, and are backed by a 24-month warranty when installed per NMC’s guidelines.
Plaster coving has served South African interiors for decades, and it still has its place in our range. But when cracking at joints or ceiling movement is the concern you’re designing around, a lightweight, closed-cell polystyrene alternative solves the problem at the source. That’s the gap NMC (Noël & Marquet) fills, and it’s why we’ve added a curated selection of NMC cornices to our Ceilings range.
What Makes NMC Cornices Different From Standard Plaster Coving?
NMC is a Belgian moulding manufacturer founded in 1950, now established as a leading producer of closed-cell polystyrene and polyurethane decorative mouldings. The material NMC uses is lightweight and flexible enough to absorb small amounts of building movement without cracking, a common failure point in traditional plaster coving over time.
Every NMC cornice profile in our range ships in standard 2-metre lengths, finished in white, and arrives primed and ready for a water-based PVA topcoat once installed. Because the profiles are polystyrene rather than plaster, they’re also lighter to handle on site.
Which NMC Cornice Profiles Does Pelican Systems Stock?
Pelican Systems carries a selection from NMC’s broader international catalogue, grouped here by shape rather than size, since that’s typically the first decision a specifier makes.
The Classic Curved Profiles
For the traditional coved silhouette, the range spans QR (21mm x 21mm), a subtle quarter-round for a light-touch finish, through ST2 (50mm x 50mm) and A1 (80mm x 80mm), up to A (110mm x 110mm) for higher ceilings or feature applications.
The Flat and Contemporary Profiles
Where a clean angled line suits the interior better than a curve, T4 (30mm x 20mm) offers an understated flat profile. M1 (120mm x 30mm) serves a specific purpose: its shape works as an indirect lighting cove along a wall or ceiling junction, a technique detailed further in an upcoming post.
The Larger Statement Coves
For rooms where the cornice is meant to be noticed, the range includes ST3 (75mm x 75mm), GR (85mm x 80mm), AT (100mm x 95mm), SM (105mm x 95mm), and two profiles sharing the same 100mm x 100mm footprint, SL and GP, differentiated by curve shape rather than scale.
What About Skirtings in the NMC Range?
Pelican Systems also stocks two NMC skirtings, M80 (80mm) and M100 (100mm). Unlike the cornice profiles, these are manufactured from 100% waterproof, high-density polystyrene (HDPS) that is shock-resistant and fully recyclable, making them a practical choice for areas prone to knocks or moisture.
Warranty
NMC cornices and skirtings carry a 24-month warranty from the date of purchase, provided they’re installed correctly and in line with NMC’s installation guidelines.
Availability
We are not stocking NMC’s full international range. What is listed here is what Pelican Systems currently carries in branch, and we can bring in other items from the wider range within 24 hours.
FUSE Cornice Adhesive, also in our range, is suited to fixing polystyrene and polyurethane cornices like these.
Visit us in store to see the display boards and samples in person before you decide.