Formaldehyde Free partnership with AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel, in partnership with Symphony Coatings, have launched their new Duracid Formaldehyde Free wood coatings range in the UK. The products provide a great alternative to traditional acid curing products and are safer for spray shop workers, and end customers.

Akzo Nobel developed the Duracid FF range in response to the growing concern over poor air quality and the presence of airborne pathogens in homes and cities around the world, together with increasing regulation in the industry. In 2014 formaldehyde was reclassified as a Carcinogen Category 1B. As a Category 1 carcinogen, the use of formaldehyde is now regulated by the Carcinogen and Mutagen Directive in EU workplaces. The central concept of this prime directive is ‘protection of workers against risks to their health and safety, including the prevention of such risks, arising or likely to arise from exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work’. AkzoNobel’s Duracid FF range can greatly reduce the risk to human health by removing the formaldehyde carcinogen whilst still providing a system with the same high-quality attributes as traditional Acid-curing and PU Alkyd coatings required in the industry, with no yellowing. It provides excellent adhesion, drying, and stacking properties together with providing simple cleaning routines for the production line and equipment.

Providing clean air that we can all breathe safely means air that is free from particulate matter, pathogens, smoke and dangerous gases. It takes the desire of industry and the various partnerships between manufacturers, suppliers and customers to ensure that the products used are as safe and clean as they can be.

AkzoNobel launched the Duracid FF range in the UK in partnership with Symphony Coatings at the W16 Furniture and Joinery Exhibition and Elements show in October of 2016. The range was a finalist in the ‘Elements Award for Innovation.’

Carl Circus, UK Distribution Manager, AkzoNobel Wood Coatings said, “Our strong partnership with Symphony Coatings provides us with the opportunity to really showcase the unique coating solutions we have to offer. Their scale and expertise means we can launch the Duracid FF range UK-wide and know that customers will get a first-class service and full technical support”.

Daniel King, Marketing Manager for the Symphony Coatings group said, “Through our partnership with the world’s leading paint manufacturers we are able to supply the latest innovative paints and coatings. We are delighted to have been chosen to launch the revolutionary new Duracid FF range from AkzoNobel in the UK to give our customers a safer alternative”.

Symphony Coatings are a leading UK supplier of professional paints, lacquers and coatings, supported by market leading capital equipment and consumables. They provide a local service with full technical guidance and support from 10 sites across the UK. Daniel King added, “We have had a great response to the range with many new and existing customers switching to the Duracid FF range to remove formaldehyde from their spray shop coatings and prevent formaldehyde release for end users. Often switching from traditional AC products, customers demand fast drying and durable surfaces and find the Duracid FF range gives them the same performance with lower risk”.

B2BExhibitions, a design focused Production Company discovered the Duracid FF range and its benefits at the W16 show. Greg Shire, Managing Director at B2BExhibitions said, “Before I heard about AkzoNobel’s formaldehyde-free paint supplied by Symphony Coatings, I had been using standard paint for the jobs that came through my business, CNC Warehouse. During a research trip to the W16 and Elements Show in Birmingham I decided to start using the new Duracid FF range.” He added, “After a very productive meeting with Symphony, I was completely taken with the Duracid FF paints, they sounded perfect for Storytime Beds, my new company that provides beds and bedroom furniture for children.” A set of comprehensive trials with Symphony Coatings ensued with trials going so well that B2BExhibitions put the range into full time production for all coating jobs. Greg Shire further commented, “The new Duracid FF paint looks and feels as good as, if not better, than the previous paints we’d been using. We now use it for every job that comes through the business. I am very happy with this high-performance paint and would recommend it to anyone working in the woodwork industry.”

Daniel King finished by saying, “As a group we have been supplying AkzoNobel’s excellent Sikkens Wood Coatings range for over ten years, providing full technical support and guidance. We are continually strengthening our partnership and are pleased to have extended this to include supplying and supporting their Duracid FF and Quantum PU Acrylic ranges across the UK.”

To see the list of UK and Ireland distributors www.sikkens-wood-coatings.co.uk/en/home.html

Contact them directly for further details on their product offers, specifications and specialist industry advice.