Finnester Coatings unveils new coating for composites
October 14, 2019 - Finland
Finnester Coatings has introduced a new coating product for composite applications called HybridRED. The product combines fire and outdoor resistance with decorativeness. The coating is especially designed for infrastructure applications, such as the energy industry, bridges and facades. Its fire-resistant technology is based on ceramifying polymers.
"This is a ground-breaking solution for composite applications where fire-resistance, high mechanical strength and weatherability are needed. In addition, the coating's decorativeness makes it one of a kind in the market," says Ari Hokkanen, CEO at Finnester Coatings.
HybridRED's unique technology is the result of five years of research and development. The coating can be applied like a paint, but when exposed to fire, it forms a ceramic shield. Ceramification prolongs the ignition times and slows down the spread of flame.
"Due to the ceramifying technology, the coating doesn't contain any flame retardants, so it's nontoxic and eco-friendly, unlike most of the other fire-resistant coating products in the field," Hokkanen says and continues: "It protects the composite from fire, UV, weather conditions and vandalism. As a decorative solution it offers a smooth and gloss finish with a variety of colours. Ceramifying polymer backbone is the key for HybridRED's revolutionary features."
Composites have many advantages. They are lightweight, strong, and require little maintenance. They are also easy to process into various shapes in different colours. However, their biggest weakness is that they have zero tolerance against fire and therefore burn easily.
"Although fire protection can be added into composites, it means that the other key properties are lost. HybridRED coating solves these problems," Hokkanen says. HybridRED has now been launched in the European market. However, Finnester Coatings is getting prepared for the sales worldwide.
"There is a clear demand for fire-resistant composite applications that are safe, aesthetic and outdoor resistant", Hokkanen says.
"This is a ground-breaking solution for composite applications where fire-resistance, high mechanical strength and weatherability are needed. In addition, the coating's decorativeness makes it one of a kind in the market," says Ari Hokkanen, CEO at Finnester Coatings.
HybridRED's unique technology is the result of five years of research and development. The coating can be applied like a paint, but when exposed to fire, it forms a ceramic shield. Ceramification prolongs the ignition times and slows down the spread of flame.
"Due to the ceramifying technology, the coating doesn't contain any flame retardants, so it's nontoxic and eco-friendly, unlike most of the other fire-resistant coating products in the field," Hokkanen says and continues: "It protects the composite from fire, UV, weather conditions and vandalism. As a decorative solution it offers a smooth and gloss finish with a variety of colours. Ceramifying polymer backbone is the key for HybridRED's revolutionary features."
Composites have many advantages. They are lightweight, strong, and require little maintenance. They are also easy to process into various shapes in different colours. However, their biggest weakness is that they have zero tolerance against fire and therefore burn easily.
"Although fire protection can be added into composites, it means that the other key properties are lost. HybridRED coating solves these problems," Hokkanen says. HybridRED has now been launched in the European market. However, Finnester Coatings is getting prepared for the sales worldwide.
"There is a clear demand for fire-resistant composite applications that are safe, aesthetic and outdoor resistant", Hokkanen says.