'Reflective' Roofs At Interfora Ifaip For Natural Air-Conditioning Thanks To An Innovative And Durable Coating: Kynar Aquatec
As part of the renovation of existing buildings and the construction of new ones, Interfora, a well-known French training organization in the chemical sector, opted for a white coating made from Kynar Aquatec resins for its roofs. As a result, 900 m2 of roof surface now benefit from this highly durable protective coating capable of reflecting sunrays, helping eliminate air-conditioning costs and therefore reduce the energy consumption of buildings.
Until recently, PVDF fluorinated resins used in architectural coatings, known for their excellent UV and weathering resistance, could only be applied on metal supports, and required pre-lacquering by stoving. Kynar Aquatec, the new PVDF solvent-free fluorinated resin developed by Arkema, is unique in that it can be applied as an aqueous formulation using traditional painting tools (spray gun, brush) on any type of support (wood, cement, tar, metal). Therefore Kynar Aquatec coatings dry in a few hours at ambient temperature.
Kynar Aquatec offers the same quality as « lacquered » PVDF for metal coatings, namely near intact durability of color and film for almost 25 years (its perfectly smooth surface prevents grime, pollution and other micro-organisms from adhering), combined with the straightforward application of acrylic paint. Such ageing resistance affords lower maintenance and renovation costs over the long term.
The other benefit lies in the ability of white paint made from Kynar Aquatec resin to reflect sunlight. Therefore, combined with insulation and weatherproofing measures, such paint avoids the use of artificial air-conditioning. Hence the overall energy cost of a building with a roof coated with Kynar Aquatec can be reduced by almost 15%.
Both these factors appealed to Martine Dumont, Director of the Interfora Ifaip Centre, who coordinated the work. For the renovation of our old buildings and the construction of the new one, we wanted to use an array of products and materials that would provide us with eco-designed facilities that were as energy-efficient as possible. Kynar Aquatec entirely fulfilled these requirements; we were won over by its straightforward application and its contribution to cool roofing systems. We now have a roof that will reflect UV rays for over 20 years and so enable us to save a great deal of energy.
The painting work was carried out by the contractor Abolin, a building paint formulator.
SOURCE: Arkema