Climate Surfaces Powder Coated Products

Author

5 posts

Sustainable Powder Coating for Wood and Plasterboard Substrates

cube

Paints and coatings are a large contributor to pollution and reduced indoor air quality because they are typically water- or solvent-based products that emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) during application, drying and clean up.

Powder coating is referred to as a 100% solid coating system, which means no solvents/water are used to carry the pigments, resigns etc.  The upside is less waste with low or nil VOC’s emitted into the atmosphere.  This sustainable advantage is driving the adoption of powder coating in countries like Germany, where legislation has been in place to reduce airborne pollution caused by VOC’s from paint related industries e.g. car and furniture manufacturing.  BMW and Audi’s made in Germany now have a powder coat clear finish, instead of the traditional liquid based finishes.

Auckland based Climate Surfaces, after 10 years of development and operations, is a global leader in commercially powder coating non-metal substrates, such as MDF, Plywood and Plasterboard.  Powder coating on these substrates provides cost, performance and aesthetic benefits as well as a more sustainable coating solution compared to liquid or PVC based coatings. PPG Industries manufacture a specialised low cure powder for Climate, which is applied electrostaically and thermally cured to the substrate in a state of art factory environment.  No water or solvents are used in the process or materials and up to 95% powder utilisation is possible with any waste powder being reclaimed and reused.

Climate is poised to deliver greater advances in powder coating technology for a range of building product substrates, which will provide a more sustainable alternative without compromise on cost, performance and aesthetics.

Communicating Retail Branding through Colour

cube

In the retail space, colour is a key element in communicating a company’s brand, displaying product and providing communication consistency across multiple outlets.

Ensuring the quality and consistency of colour in a retail fitout is every designer’s or marketer’s headache when it comes to material selection.

A major material component in most fitouts is decorative MDF board and paint finishes for furniture, point-of-sale displays, slat walls, shelving and feature panelling.  Powder coating on MDF helps solve these issues by offering the colour versatility of traditional paint technology with the durability and cost benefits of powder coating.

Climate Surfaces offers customised colours on MDF boards and flat-pack components, as well as on plasterboard for linings and ceiling tiles.  Retailers have been using Climate powder-coating technology on MDF for over 10 years in Australia and New Zealand. Its colour range remains available over time, and a metallic or stipple effect can be added.

Dimension Decorative Panels Add Texture and Interest

cube

The Dimension range of decorative panels provide texture, depth and shadow to create impressive sections of joinery or wall spaces. Lighting can be utilised creatively, particularly with colour, to enhance the area further.

Laminex is proud to have exclusive national distribution rights for the Dimension range.  Stock is available of the four popular designs in a primed finish ready for painting in your colour and finish of choice.  Proprietary designs can also be made to order for larger retail or commercial projects.

Dimension is available in 2400 x 1200 x 18mm MDF panels, factory primed ready for cutting and painting. Contact your Laminex representative for samples and information.

Powdercoating a Sustainable Option for Non-metals

cube

Powdercoating provides a sustainable option for those who need a durable finish to their interiors – and it’s no longer limited to metal surfaces. These days it can also be applied to non-metal surfaces such as plywood, MDF and plasterboard.

Large international companies, such as furniture manufacturers IKEA, are now adopting this method in order to reduce the environmental impact associated with the finishing of its furniture. Powdercoating contains no solvents, so it’s essentially a VOC-free coating.

In New Zealand, Climate Surfaces was one of the industry leaders with this method. Managing director Kyle True says it was 11 years ago that the company was involved with the creation of this coating methodology.

To manufacture this advanced finish for non-metals, Climate Surfaces has a specialist plant which uses significantly lower curing temperatures as well as infrared heat instead of convection. It’s a precise formula.

“Powdercoating is a baked-on finish so it provides an inherent durability. It’s also a more efficient way to apply coatings at a lower cost,” Kyle says.

Aesthetically, it provides a wide range of colours and finish effects which work equally well on both metal and non-metal surfaces, even when placed alongside each other.

ClimateLine Pre-Finished Plasterboard Saves Time and Eliminates Dust

cube

Because of a need to save time and create a specific design aesthetic, Tauranga architect Richard Hale specified ClimateLine pre-finished plasterboard in his latest commercial project.

During construction he discovered there was more to ClimateLine than he initially thought.

ClimateLine is a pre-finished plasterboard that eliminates the need for stopping, sanding and painting, therefore cutting down on labour time and costs, and ridding building sites of dust and mess.

“Rayonier is an American forestry management company and we were hired to refine the office, enhance interoffice communications and create a more presentable space,” Richard says. “They wanted us to use a lot of timber products and we had only a strict six week window to strip out and rebuild a 250m² office.”

Due to the expanse of timber Richard planned to use a negative detail. He learnt that ClimateLine would be able to achieve a similar look, with its knife-edge hinging system in a contrasting finish. ClimateLine would also save crucial time and could be custom coloured in the company’s corporate shade.

“It was easy to put up and involved no stopping, sanding or painting which can often take a couple of weeks to complete.” Richard says. “This was a high-IT environment but we didn’t have to use drop sheets or worry about dust getting into the equipment. Plus it was winter which is traditionally a difficult time to get paint dry quickly.”

Builder Jeff Parkes of Jafa Construction says he hadn’t used ClimateLine before and was curious about its benefits.

His thoughts post-installation? “Brilliant.”

“It was easy to install, fitted together well, was easy to work with and reduced the amount of clean up because there was no dust created in the construction process. I was worried about handling it but there’s so much strength in it; it’s a very strong product.”

Because there was sub-contract work remaining after installation of the sheets, Jeff had concerns about accidental damage, but was pleased to discover the plasterboard came with a protective plastic coating that peeled off at the last minute to reveal a perfect finish.

“I would definitely use it again. It was very enjoyable to work with,” Jeff says.
Richard echoes his sentiments: “There is no way we would have finished this project on time if we’d used the traditional methods of stopping and painting plasterboard.”

ClimateLine can be used in dry, wet and hygienic areas in both commercial and domestic projects. A range of joiners is available – in a colour-matched powdercoat finish or natural anodised finish – to suit all design specifications. The durable plasterboard can be found in many projects around the country including hospitals and medical buildings, restaurants, early childhood learning centres, transportable homes, offices and residential homes.

Register for an info pack on ClimateLine by July 26th 2013 and be in to win two nights accommodation at Ohtel in Wellington.