Covestro Provides Protection with Low-VOC Waterborne Polyurethane Coating

 

INDIANAPOLIS, Apr. 12, 2016 -- The renovation of an 86-year-old historical building in Pittsburgh – the Energy Innovation Center (EIC) at the site of the former Connelly Trade School – took special care in preserving the building’s interior features. The building’s 20,000-square-foot concrete floor was poured in 1930, and the surface was severely spalled and cracked in many areas.

The restoration process included a cementitious overlay to repair the existing concrete, an epoxy primer and a two-component waterborne polyurethane topcoat based on high performance resins and technology from Covestro LLC to protect long term against wear and stains.

The selected topcoat was a commercially available product, Sherwin Williams GP4409 WB polyurethane satin, that featured low volatile organic compound (VOC) content and vapor permeability in a water-based, aliphatic polyurethane clearcoat. The VOC content of the topcoat is less than 50 grams per liter of co-solvent, an important consideration for the building’s LEED Platinum certification aspirations. It provided similar performance characteristics and ease of application as a solvent-based polyurethane system, but with very low odor during application.

Choosing a topcoat with a long working time was crucial because the concrete was constructed with minimal day joints, saw cuts, or other breaks in the surface. After allowing the floor to cure overnight, contractors were able to walk on the area to access other parts of the EIC.

According to Steven Reinstadtler, market manager, Construction Coatings, Coatings, Adhesives & Specialties, Covestro LLC, “Other important qualities include UV stability, durability, longevity and good chemical and abrasion resistance. The high-performance coating will protect the floors from foot traffic, wheeled carts, stains and abrasion for years to come.”

The end result was a fully restored, continuous walkway that blended into the updated neo-industrial look. The floor finish imparts a homogenous look into a large space and keeps the area looking clean. The lower sheen satin finish contributed to the desired aesthetics and minimizes glare from the overhead skylights.

Covestro offers a range of polyurethane raw materials for the production of high-performance, high-quality waterborne polyurethane coatings. Waterborne polyurethane coatings meet the increasing demand for environmentally friendly products with their ultra-low VOC content. They also offer a unique combination of properties ranging from high efficiency during application to excellent film appearance, scratch resistance, and high resistance to water, solvents, chemicals and weathering.

Attendees at the American Coatings Show, April 12-14 in Indianapolis, can visit Covestro’s booth (#2331) for more details about Covestro’s waterborne coating technologies and material solutions for floor coatings.

About Covestro LLC
Covestro LLC is one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America and is part of the global Covestro business with 2015 sales of EUR 12.1 billion. Covestro manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical and sports and leisure industries. The Covestro group has 30 production sites around the globe and employed approximately 15,800 people at the end of 2015.

Find more information at www.covestro.com or www.coatings.covestro.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available on the Covestro website at www.covestro.com. Covestro assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.