Gentleman Jim

In a bathroom the customer wants a tiled shower cubicle. The walls are very poor and I suggested an aquapanel type product to compensate. Can this be fixed with a "dot and dab" type process or does it need batons onto the wall first. If this is the case it will bring the tiling out too far so ... would 9mm plasterboard, primed then tanked, be a sufficient alternative?
Thanks for all your advice.
Regards
Jim