AkzoNobel passes testing industry standard with flying colours

We all need quality in the modern environment and rigorous testing on products that we use in every-day life is part of both protecting us and developing a way forward that benefits both manufacturers and end users alike.

At Blackburn-based AkzoNobel they know that an industry recognised standard assessment which tests various common ‘problems and challenges’ faced daily by its furniture lacquers is seen as more than crucial in determining quality and longevity. This includes the contract market, which has a tough benchmark and the domestic sector, which has a slightly less rigorous pass mark.

In undergoing a Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) testing programme for a range of their products AkzoNobel can provide an unbiased, holistic and pragmatic set of results borne out of the desire to supply the highest quality of products at every opportunity.

Established in 1949, the Furniture Industry Research Association is the UK’s largest furniture association and the only organisation that provides support to the whole furniture supply train, across all sectors. Their product and furniture testing provide reassurance for manufacturers and their customers, not only for meeting mandatory safety requirements, but as an insight into the performance and durability of a product when it is being used. FIRA’s UKAS-accredited laboratory carries out testing which simulates real-life use and foreseeable misuse for all types of furniture and related products for both the domestic and contract markets. The FIRA general product safety principles are applied to both the domestic and the contract furniture sector.

They say, “a product should be suitable for its intended use and so a product should be tested to the correct hazard level for the environment.” Again, a sentiment echoed by AkzoNobel in their quest to ensure that their popular products are continually exposed to a range of independent tests by FIRA.

Recently AkzoNobel have had some very positive results regarding FIRA testing on six of their most popular interior paint coating systems. In each product type FIRA tested a clear and opaque system with the AkzoNobel products achieving a full house of six passes.

The coating systems submitted for FIRA testing were based around three of AkzoNobel’s most popular and innovative systems; the Duracid Formaldehyde Free Acid Catalysed, Quantum and Aqualit systems. All were applied to MDF panels with a clear lacquer finish and an opaque colour tested in all cases.

The test requirements were both rigorous and challenging and included;

The performance summary produced passes for all six products:

Duracid FF from AkzoNobel is a series of acid-curing products delivering high-quality results without the use of formaldehyde. It’s a system that’s Formaldehyde-Free, and isocyanate-free with no odour to the end user on either coated furniture or fittings. To see the range https://www.akzonobel-woodcoatings.com/products/acid-curing.html

The Duracid FF clear AC lacquer which successfully passed the FIRA testing regime is extensively used at Stourport-on-Severn based Witley Jones who design, manufacture and install bespoke furniture for schools needed a formaldehyde free coating for a school project in Worcestershire. Read the article here http://www.sikkens-wood-coatings.com/news/press/details/news/witley-jones-put-akzonobels-ff-top-of-the-class/News/detail/

Offering an alternative to the Acid Curing systems, the AkzoNobel Quantum and Quantum Color PU Acrylic range provides interior solutions to a vast array of applications. This includes opaque and clear options with user friendly pack sizes and sheen options, including a dead matt and a mirror-like high gloss option, whether a clear or solid colour option is preferred.

AkzoNobel stands at the forefront of water borne (WB) technology options, offering a full range of 1K and 2K WB products of varying finishes and sheens by way of their recently consolidated Aqualit range. To view just go to - http://www.akzonobel-woodcoatings.com/products/waterborne.html#.W21vatJKjIU

In putting their head above the ‘testing parapet’ AkzoNobel have produced a set of results that will enable a host of contractors and specifiers to use their top-quality products, safe in the knowledge that the independent tests have produced stunning pass reports for a range of their coatings. It’s all about providing peace of mind.

Paul Brennan UK General Manager, AkzoNobel Wood Coatings commented, “the testing by FIRA on some of our most popular ranges and the results we achieved are a testament to the rigorous standards we set at AkzoNobel on both the safety and performance of our products”.

To contact them directly for further details on their products, specifications o see the list of UK and Ireland distributors follow the link www.sikkens-wood-coatings.co.uk/en/home.html and www.akzonobel.com/en/uki

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential colour to industries and consumers worldwide.

Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 45,000 people in around 80 countries. Our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colourful world where life is improved by what we do.